THE OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES PRESENTS

TELL THE WORLD ABOUT YOUR THESIS TOPIC AND WHY IT MATTERS!

1-Static Power Point slide Remember that “less is more”

Does not have to include text

Use visual cues effectively

No slide transitions, animations, sounds or 'movement' are permitted

3-minutes

A panel of judges

Comprehension

Engagement Communication

Address the research question and its significance

Clearly describe the results, conclusions, and outcomes

Have a clear and logical sequence

Did You:Make the audience want to know more?

Trivialize or over generalize your research?

Convey enthusiasm for your research?

Capture and maintain the audience's attention?

Communicate in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience

Thesis topic

Key results

Research significance

Outcomes

Avoid scientific jargon

Terminology

Provide adequate background information

WHY DO IT?

RESIST THE URGE TO STUN THEM WITH YOUR INTELLECT PRETEND YOU’RE TALKING TO

A POLITICIAN

REPLACE BUZZWORDS WITH BROAD

TERMS LIKE “A TECHNOLOGY”,

“SOME CHEMICALS”, “YOU KNOW,

STUFF”

DITCH THE PASSIVE VOICE

REMEMBER TO KEEP A STRAIGHT

FACE

TRY TO SOUND EXCITED ABOUT

SOMETHING THAT’S BEEN FRUSTRATING YOU FOR THE LAST 4

YEARS

WHENEVER POSSIBLE, USE

MOVIE REFERENCES

Example: “You know when in The Matrix/ Jurassic Park where

the evil robots/ dinosaurs

oppress/eat people? That’s my research.

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5

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To be eligible for the Three Minute Thesis competition, you must make sure you meet the following requirements:

Currently enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. program

Working on major project, thesis, or dissertation research.

TitleStarting point StructureVocab/language SlideHumor?

Timelines:

Preliminary - Tuesday February 28th – HuntsvillePreliminary – Wednesday March 8th – TWCFinals – Tuesday April 4th –Huntsville

Practice Sessions

Registration Closes February 3rd