# Prepare for my thesis defense or viva

Anticipates likely examiner questions from my thesis, drafts strong answers, and runs a realistic mock defense.

- Topic: Presentations & Public Speaking
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Research, Fill-in Template, Interactive, Step-by-step
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/prepare-for-my-thesis-defense-or-viva

## Prompt

```text
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.
```

## What to fill in

- PASTE
- NAMES or fields
- e.g. "sample size in study 2", "theoretical framing"
- DETAILS
- ADD

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.