Block Four

TFM Guide · Block 4 · The Thesis Defense
July – September Block 4

The Thesis Defense

Keys for the oral presentation, prior preparation, and handling questions.

Keys for the oral presentation
  • Timed rehearsals of the presentation (3–4 full runs).
  • Simulated Q&A with peers.
  • Look at the audience, open posture, visible hands.
  • Clear voice, steady pace; avoid filler words.
  • In questions: listen, summarize, respond, and focus.
  • If you don’t know something, acknowledge limits and suggest ways to follow up later.

Before

  • Diaphragmatic breathing 2–3 min. See example
  • Visualize the full sequence. Picture yourself succeeding!
  • Materials checklist: slides, adapter, water.

During

  • Focus on your objective, not on self-evaluating.
  • If you freeze: pause, breathe, restate the key idea in one sentence.
  • In complex questions: ask for clarification or time; repeat the question to buy seconds and confirm understanding.

After

  • Record feedback: 3 strengths and 3 improvements.
  • Celebrate the achievement and disconnect for a few hours.
Keys for slides
  • One key idea per slide.
  • Minimal text; prioritize clear visualizations.
  • Sufficient contrast and legible fonts.
  • Script with navigation cues: intro → method → results → closing.
  • Logistics tip: prepare copies on USB + cloud + email.
Support resources

🎥 TED Talk: Amy Cuddy

🎥 TED Talk: Julian Treasure

🎥 YouTube: Defense tips

Emotional goal

Manage the presentation, turn nerves into positive energy, reinforce confidence.

To always keep in mind
“Nerves are not your enemy: they are the spark of your energy.”
Practical exercises
  • Rehearsal with body anchoring: practice the superhero stance standing tall, feet firm, breathing deeply. Use the posture to regain calm whenever anxiety appears.
  • Positive visualization (5 min): imagine the defense in detail, responding calmly and confidently.
  • Empowerment phrase: repeat before entering: “I have worked hard, I know what I’m talking about, few know as much as I do, I am ready to share it.”
  • Understand your body: Accepting anxiety can reduce it: accept the thoughts that cause anxiety without judging them, let them pass. When they arise, practice 4-7-8 breathing.
  • Rewrite your reality: Reframe nerves as emotions similar to excitement, and think “this is my body getting ready, like enthusiasm”—this can radically change your experience.
  • Manage the Spotlight Effect: We often overestimate how much the audience notices our nerves—it’s called the spotlight effect—and in reality, they likely perceive it much less than we think.