Steven Tangen Defense

I think I'll post some thoughts about the defenses I attend as well. I won't necessarily dissect them very much and I'll try to keep it positive and focus on what I would like to do at my defense or during the entire process.

• spend more time on data analysis and less on the background work for the defense, for the proposal vice versa.
• explain the axes of the figures
• test the layout on the COVE wall before the day off
• have someone take notes about the reaction and/or questions of students and committee members.
• don't be afraid to say that something is outside the scope of the problem
• be assertive when answering questions, it is your work afterall!
  
• prepare the audience for the next slide or figure
• have back up slides to answer questions about the details.
• be prepared to explain the small steps if people ask about them
• don't be insulting intelligences with to simple of explanations

Well, that's enough for now. At lot of those are general, but they came to mind right now. I'm sure there will be more and I'll try to get into the habit of listing them as soon as I hear them.