Independent resource / mysidang.com
Preparation that keeps the argument in view.
An independent resource for planning academic presentations and thesis-defence preparation. The focus is the work of explaining your research clearly.
What this resource is for
These pages help you organise the decisions around an academic talk: the audience, the argument, the evidence, the visual material and the discussion that follows. They are intended as planning prompts you can adapt.
The site is not affiliated with a university, examination board or academic department. It does not set assessment requirements or promise a particular outcome.
Local requirements come first
A thesis defence, seminar, progress review and conference presentation can have different purposes. Formats also differ across institutions and disciplines. Use the actual instructions supplied by the responsible organiser or department.
The suggested outline and rehearsal passes are flexible tools. They are not a universal thesis-defence format, a required slide count or an alternative to your supervisor’s guidance.
Why the argument comes before the slides
Design decisions become easier when you know what a listener needs to understand. A through- line helps you decide which details to explain, which figures to show and which supporting material to keep for questions.
The goal is not to make research look simpler than it is. It is to make the reasoning visible while acknowledging the limits and uncertainties of the work.
Using the guide with other people
A supervisor, peer or colleague can offer more specific feedback when you ask a focused question. Share the stage of preparation you are at and the kind of response you need.
Keep feedback, unresolved questions and confirmed requirements in separate parts of your record. This makes it easier to distinguish an editorial suggestion from a rule that applies to the event.