IDP 4U1 Honours Thesis
STEP 10: Formal In Class Oral Defence
The final stage of the Honours Thesis Course will be the Formal In-Class Oral Defence which serves as
the transition from the final written paper to the final Panel Defence that will take place during the exam
block. In the Formal In-class Oral Defence, students will develop, organize and articulate a workable
oral defence in the form of a written synopsis of the final paper as well as an oral summary to the class.
The class will listen to each oral defence and (again) offer challenges that specifically address the
paper’s content, arguments, structure as well as the presenter’s knowledge and articulation of ideas.
STEP 1: Written Synopsis
On a designated due date _____________________________________ students will submit a
SYNOPSIS or SUMMARY of the final written paper according to the following criteria:
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Maximum two pages typed (one page double sided)
10 -12 point font; chart form is recommended
include fully developed thesis
include three main arguments, counterarguments and supporting evidence with footnotes
critical analysis of arguments / evidence that relates to thesis
synopsis sheet must be clear, logical, well organized and easy to understand
*NOTE: The synopsis or summary sheet will be read and used by PANEL during Panel Defense
STEP 2: Oral Summary
3 minutes
It is the responsibility of the student to prepare an oral statement on the nature and the importance of the
thesis and arguments presented in the paper. Each student will have (timed) THREE (3) minutes to
highlight the thesis, major issues, arguments and evidence that prove the thesis as well as explain the
conclusions and the significance of the research paper. Classmates will have a copy of your synopsis thus
the oral summary should NOT be a recitation or reading of the synopsis, but an explanation and analysis
of arguments, evidence and conclusions drawn in written paper. The oral summary will ultimately
showcase the presenters’ knowledge of the topic, quality of research / information, critical arguments /
evidence and articulation of ideas and concepts relating to the thesis.
*NOTE: Presenters should be dressed in professional attire for defence
STEP 3: Challenges and Questions
12 minutes
All members of the class are expected to ask relevant and probing questions on the research and content
of the thesis, arguments, counterarguments, evidence, and analysis. Students will have read the
presenter’s synopsis prior to and during the Oral Summary as students will be allocated specific papers
and / or synopses (ie. peer editing teams) to offer direct challenges.
Scribes will also be used during challenges to provide presenter feedback in preparation for Panel
Defence during exam block.
RUBRIC: Formal In Class Oral Defence
Criteria
Knowledge /
Understanding
-scope of
knowledge
Level 4
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
- very high degree
of understanding of
ideas/concepts/
arguments/evidence
on topic
- consider able
understanding of
ideas/concepts/
arguments/evidence
of topic
- moderate
understanding of
ideas/concepts/
arguments/evidence
of topic
- insufficient
understanding of
ideas/concepts/
arguments/evidence
of topic
Thinking /
Inquiry
-responses to
challenges
-highly effective
use of
critical/analytical
thinking skills to
respond to
challenges /
questions using
concrete examples,
concepts or
analogies
-uses effective
critical/analytical
thinking skills to
respond to
challenges/
questions using
examples, concepts
or analogies
-uses
critical/analytical
thinking skills to
respond to
challenges/
questions using
examples, concepts
or analogies
with moderate
effectiveness
-uses little
critical/analytical
thinking skills to
respond to
challenges /
questions
Communication
-articulation of
ideas
-exceptionally
effective and
professional oral
communication
skills (e.g.,
scholarly /
academic language,
correct grammar
and sentence
structure; rhetorical
devices; voice
projection;
gestures; body
language; timing)
-concrete oral
communication
skills that reflect
professionalism(e.g.,
academic language,
correct grammar and
sentence structure;
rhetorical devices;
voice projection;
gestures; body
language; timing)
-adequate
professionalism in
oral communication
skills (e.g.,
academic language,
correct grammar
and sentence
structure; rhetorical
devices; voice
projection; gestures;
body language;
timing) with a
moderate degree of
effectiveness
-uses little
application of oral
communication
skills or
professionalism(e.g.,
correct grammar and
sentence structure;
rhetorical devices;
voice projection;
gestures; body
language; timing)
Application
- organization of
ideas and clear
connections
(synopsis and
oral summary
-excellent
organization and
application of
researched ideas,
arguments , counter
arguments and
evidence to thesis
presented in a
logical and
coherent method in
written synopsis
and oral summary
- organizes and
applies researched
ideas, arguments,
counter arguments
and evidence to
thesis effectively in
synopsis and oral
summary
- adequate
organization and
application of
researched ideas,
arguments, counter
arguments and
evidence to thesis
in written synopsis
and oral summary
- lack of
organization and
application of
researched ideas,
arguments, counter
arguments and
evidence to thesis
Mark / Comments