The Perfect Defense: The Oral Defense of a Dissertation

Dr. Valerie Balester introduces herself as an experienced English professor and executive director of the University Writing Center. She has participated in numerous dissertation defenses across various disciplines, including sciences and engineering. Dr. Balester emphasizes the importance of confidence in presenting oneself as a scholar and authority on the subject during the defense. She notes that nervousness is common but manageable, and the vast majority of candidates pass their defenses. She advises on the necessity of being well-prepared and having discussed the defense process with the committee beforehand. Dr. Balester also stresses the importance of understanding the structure and expectations of the defense, including the original contribution to the field and the ability to defend and explain one's ideas.

The paragraph discusses the importance of giving the committee ample time to review the dissertation, ideally a month before the defense. This allows for sufficient feedback and discussion before the defense. Dr. Balester suggests seeking advice from committee chairs and members on potential questions and areas of concern. She also highlights the value of practicing the ability to succinctly describe one's dissertation, akin to a job market pitch. Furthermore, she advises on the necessity of being prepared for technical difficulties and the strategic use of handouts during the presentation to emphasize key points that cannot be easily conveyed through slides.

In this paragraph, Dr. Balester provides guidance on the presentation aspect of the dissertation defense. She advises on the typical duration of the presentation and the allocation of time for questions. She emphasizes the importance of slide design, ensuring that slides are not overloaded with text and that they serve to emphasize main points rather than distract the audience. Dr. Balester also discusses the need to be prepared for various scenarios during the Q&A session, including how to handle situations where the answer to a question is unknown. She encourages candidates to be honest, think aloud, and request clarification when necessary. The paragraph underscores the importance of demonstrating one's ability to think on one's feet and engage with the committee as equals.

This paragraph focuses on what to expect after the defense. Dr. Balester explains that it is common for the committee to request revisions, even if the candidate has passed the defense. She shares her personal experience of having to rewrite her conclusion after the defense. The paragraph also discusses the process of making revisions, the role of the dissertation chair in ensuring these changes are made, and the possibility of needing to present the revised dissertation to the committee again. Dr. Balester reminds candidates to be prepared for this step and to consult with their chair about the specific procedures followed by their department.

Dr. Balester concludes the script by offering final words of encouragement and reminders of the importance of knowing one's material and being well-prepared for the defense. She highlights the significance of the dissertation as an extension of the candidate's knowledge beyond their advisor's expertise. Dr. Balester also invites the audience to reach out to her at the Writing Center for further assistance and shares her contact information. The paragraph ends on a positive note, reinforcing the candidate's expertise and the high likelihood of success in the dissertation defense.