8.Acknowledgments and oral defense

AcknowledgmentsGeneral functionsIn most cases, the section of acknowledgments is the last section of the body of a paper. It functions to express the authors appreciation. It is mainly used to extend the authors indebtedness to the helpful support or concern from his or her colleagues, institutions, friends, teachers, family members in offering material, specimen, technical know-how, suggestions or any other enlightenment, etc. to the author. Linguistic features1. patternized contentsThe content listed in the section of acknowledgments usually include two major parts: gratitude to personal or institutional assistance, and gratitude to financial support from different sources. Individuals first, institutions second.2. formalized expressionsl .wishes to express his/her sincere appreciation to for l The author is indebted to forl thank forl We wish to express our thanks tol Thanks are due to forl gratefully acknowledge to forl Thanks go to forl This work was supported in part byl Support by is gratefully acknowledged.l We have also benefited froml Acknowledgements are made to forl This investigation received financial assistance froml This above research was made possible by a grant from3. writing requirementsa. being specificb. avoiding under-or over statementc. asking for permissionGuidelines for oral defense1. Talk to your tutor and get his/her evaluation and revise your thesis before you circulate your thesis to the other committee members2. Read your completed thesis after you turn it in and be familiar with its structure, contents, research method, major findings and major arguments3. Usually you will be given 5 to ten minutes to explain your thsis briefly. Ask your tutor how long it will be and prepare accordingly.4. Prepare your presentation either in ppt or in written form. Your focus should be :a. define your topic or scope of your paper briefly; b. your research method or perspective of your analysis; c. your major research findings or argument with clear , brief and convincing examples or evidence.5. Thinking about questions the committee will ask and prepare your answers in advance. Work with your friends or classmates and see how you will respond to the main objections of alternative argument or counter-argument.6. In the defense itself, be confident and relaxed as best as you can. Listen to the committee members specific questions and present your answers to the point. Please speak clearly and in normal speed and not to talk too fast.7. In case you are not clear what they are asking about, just say pardon, and let them repeat or explain their questions8. If you do not have the ready answer to the difficult questions, do not feel panic. You can either say something related to the issue, or give them a broad smile and say “I dont know” and you are ready to learn.9. Sometimes some committee members may make comments on your thesis o