Suggestions...



This list, 148 Things (Not) to Do or Say at Your Thesis Defense has been around forever. A little dated (Transparencies? Remember transparencies?) I think I remember first reading this back in '93 or '94 (that's 1993 or 1994, not 1893 or 1894.)

These are some of my favorite suggestions:

3. "Charge the mound" when a professor beans you with a high fast question.
11. Have bodyguards outside the room to "discourage" certain professors from sitting in.
32. Present your entire talk in iambic pentameter.
58. Challenge a professor to a duel. Slapping him with a glove is optional.
77. Use a Greek Chorus to highlight important points.

and ...

106. Give your entire speech in a "Marvin Martian" accent.

Hmmmm... Now there's an idea.... I've already got the costume.

Of course, your suggestions are encouraged in the comments section.

I was also considering inventing an Emergency Graduate Student Hologram to give the defense for me. "Please state the nature of the defense emergency."

Posted: Fri - August 21, 2009 at 08:16 AM        

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