Prepare for my thesis defense or viva
Anticipates likely examiner questions from my thesis, drafts strong answers, and runs a realistic mock defense.
The prompt
Help me prepare for my thesis defense (viva).
Degree and format: [e.g. "PhD viva, 2 examiners, closed door" or "public defense with 20-minute talk"]
Thesis abstract and chapter summaries: [PASTE]
Examiners and their research areas: [NAMES or fields]
Parts I feel least confident about: [e.g. "sample size in study 2", "theoretical framing"]
Known limitations and corrections already made: [DETAILS]
Step 1: Generate 25 likely questions grouped by type: big picture (contribution, why it matters), theory and positioning, methods and design choices, results and alternative explanations, limitations, examiner-specific angles based on their fields, and future work.
Step 2: For the 8 hardest, draft answer outlines that acknowledge the issue, defend the choice with reasoning, and show what I would do differently.
Step 3: Offer a mock defense: ask me one question at a time, wait for my answer, then give feedback on clarity, defensiveness, and length before the next question. Escalate difficulty as we go.
Base every question and answer outline only on the thesis material I provide; where an answer needs evidence I have not given, mark it [ADD] rather than inventing results or citations.
Also give me a 60-second answer to "Summarize your thesis and its contribution" and tips for handling a question I cannot answer.
Highlighted [brackets] are blanks to replace with your own details.
Fill in the blanks and use this promptMore Presentations & Public Speaking prompts
What to fill in
- PASTE
- NAMES or fields
- e.g. "sample size in study 2", "theoretical framing"
- DETAILS
- ADD
How this prompt is built
This prompt follows the Few-Shot structure (Few-shot prompting). A few-shot prompt includes one or more worked examples of the input and the output you want, so the model can copy the pattern instead of guessing it.
Related prompts
- Present my design work and defend key decisionsBuilds a short design review walkthrough that leads with the problem, explains decisions with evidence, and prepares answers to pushback.
- Turn my paper into a conference talkConverts a written paper into a timed slide-by-slide conference talk with one core message and speaker notes.
- Improve how I deliver a talk or presentationCoaching on structure, delivery, nerves, and audience engagement for an upcoming talk.
- Find where AI can help in my work or businessInterviews you about a process and identifies where AI genuinely helps — and where it doesn't.