Gixo Lumen · deck structure
Thesis Presentation
A thesis presentation is not a summary of the thesis. It argues one contribution and defends the method that produced it. Examiners spend most of their questions on limitations and method, which is why those slides deserve more preparation than the results.
Last reviewed: August 2026
The slide sequence
Each step names the Lumen slide layout to use, so you can build this deck by adding layouts to a blank deck in order. Manual building is free and unlimited, and it does not consume the AI meter.
What makes this deck fail
- Summarising the whole thesis. You cannot, and trying uses the time you need for the contribution.
- A long literature review. Examiners know the field; brief context is enough.
- Thin limitations. The slide examiners probe hardest, and vagueness reads as not understanding your own work.
- Overrunning. Timing is usually enforced, and being stopped mid-argument is avoidable.
- Dense results tables. One finding per slide with the supporting evidence beside it.
Adapting the length
| You have | Keep | Cut |
|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | Question, method, two findings, contribution | Literature, further work |
| 20 minutes | The full sequence as listed | Nothing |
| Conference version | Question, method, headline finding, contribution | Limitations detail |
Frequently asked questions
How long should a thesis presentation be?
Usually 15 to 20 minutes plus questions, but institutional rules vary and are normally enforced. Check yours and rehearse to it.
What do examiners ask about most?
Method and limitations. Prepare those slides more carefully than the results, and raise the weaknesses yourself rather than waiting to be asked.
How many slides should a thesis defence have?
Twelve to eighteen for a 20-minute defence. The constraint is time rather than count, so rehearse against the clock.
Should I include the full literature review?
No. Examiners know the field. A brief framing of the gap you address is enough, and the time is better spent on your contribution.
Can I build a thesis presentation for free?
Yes. Manual building from a blank deck in Gixo Lumen is free and unlimited on every plan, including PPTX export.
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Build this deck without paying for it
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