Advice on the Dissertation Defense - Take with a Grain of Salt

I'm at the point that I'm really interested in the process and reality of the dissertation defense.  I realize that every university and every department within each school has different cultures and expectations - many of them unwritten.  Even the choice of committee members has an impact on how the defense will run.  As a graduate student, I have had to glean information about my department's culture and preferences of my committee.   However, I have found some advice, from a variety of sources, about the defense process.  Like any advise, though, take this with a grain of salt and check with your own adviser and committee.

• Don't have anything in the presentation that isn't in the dissertation.
• Remember, it is a defense, not a presentation. Don't focus on coverage!
  • You will be interrupted.
  • The committee will have thoroughly read the dissertation and will come prepared knowing your work and by extension, the work you cite.  Their job is to question you.
• Set up the defense with the problem statement – what is the problem and why should I care.
• Theory (theoretical framework) is often the place that is interrogated strongly by committee members. Be clear, concise and well-grounded in your own framework.
  • There is a possibility that the committee members may argue in front of you about their views of the theories chosen. Don't freak out about this.  Choose wisely if you want to get in the middle of their argument, but answer any questions directed at you.
• Methodology - in a defense, you generally don't need as much support (in your presentation) on methodology as the committee has read it. But, be prepared to talk about it.
• A defense is not the time of “stories”. You may be really excited about the people in your study, but that doesn't mean you should tell them.
• If you don't intend the committee to read the whole slide in ppt, (ie. Showing specific data, transcripts or analysis) don't show it.
• Define your own use of terms and give clear examples. Use the signposts of “By ______ I mean _______________” and here is an example.
• In a defense, be careful about using and presenting graphic models. It invites questions and picking apart of the model. The use of arrows, circles, cycles etc indicate particular interpretations.  When you create a model, be thoughtful about alternative interpretations based on the size, color and positioning of the parts of the model.
• Be powerful in your “Future Research” - it shows that you are ready to go out and work on your research agenda.
• Be ready to answer “What is this about?”- can you give the elevator speech of your dissertation of 2 minutes or less.