How to Build Slides for an Undergraduate Thesis Interim PresentationUndergraduate thesis interim presentation slides
A practical guide to deciding what to show, in what order, and to what level of completion in an undergraduate thesis interim presentation.
Interim-presentation slides are not simply a shortened version of a finished thesis. Their role is to communicate the research objective, method, current status, and remaining work within a limited presentation time.
If your university, department, or seminar specifies the presentation time, template, required sections, or formatting, follow those instructions first.
How to Build Slides for an Undergraduate Thesis Interim Presentation | Structure, Visual Clarity, and Progress
Article OverviewIf you are unsure how to structure your PowerPoint or what to show while the research is still in progress, organize the presentation so the research logic is easy to follow: background → objective/research question → prior studies → method → current findings or progress → remaining issues → next steps. There is no single slide sequence that fits every discipline, so adjust the example below to the rules and presentation time set by your institution.
Reference image: In an interim presentation, make a clear distinction between what has been completed so far and what still needs to be done before the thesis is finished.
Start With the Presentation Requirements, Not a Fixed Slide Count
Check institutional instructionsIf your seminar or department specifies presentation time, Q&A time, file format, template, required items, or font size, use those requirements as your baseline. They take priority over generic slide advice.
Fit the content to the timeChoosing a slide count first can lead to rushed explanations or missing information. Identify the content that must be communicated, then reduce it to an amount you can explain clearly within the assigned time.
Show the current status of the researchEven when the final results are not available, you can distinguish completed work, data or provisional observations currently available, unfinished work, and the next planned steps.
Example Structure for Undergraduate Thesis Interim-Presentation Slides
The following is an example only. Sections may need to be combined, separated, or reordered depending on the discipline and allotted time.
| Slide | Main content | What the audience should understand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Title | Research title, affiliation, name | State the research subject concisely. |
| 2. Background / Problem | Why the topic matters | Connect background information to the research problem. |
| 3. Objective / Research Question | What the study aims to clarify | Make the central question of the presentation explicit. |
| 4. Prior Studies / Positioning | What is known and what remains unclear | Show where your study is positioned relative to previous work. |
| 5. Method | Participants/materials, data, procedures, analysis | Explain how the method addresses the research objective. |
| 6. Current Findings / Progress | Collected materials, research status, available results | Separate final findings from work still in progress. |
| 7. Current Interpretation / Issues | What can currently be inferred and what remains unresolved | Label provisional interpretations as provisional rather than final conclusions. |
| 8. Next Steps | Additional research, analysis, writing, schedule | Show what will be done after the interim presentation. |
| 9. Summary | Objective, current status, next task | Restate the central points briefly. |
Note: Nine slides are only an example structure. Adjust the number to the assigned time and the requirements of your institution.
Reference Example: Limit Each Slide to a Clear Role
A slide title can state the role or main message of the slide rather than functioning only as a chapter label. Avoid pasting the full manuscript onto the slide; separate what the audience needs to see from what you will explain orally.
Make the Research Flow Visible
Three Things to Distinguish Clearly in an Interim Presentation
1. Confirmed informationThis includes the research objective, selected method, and materials or data already collected.
2. Current findings or provisional organizationIf you show trends from an analysis in progress, label them as current or provisional so they are not mistaken for final results.
3. Remaining tasks and scheduleList the literature, data collection, analysis, discussion, or writing that still needs to be completed and indicate the next steps.
Common Slide Problems to Check Before the Presentation
| Problem | Why it is difficult to follow | How to improve it |
|---|---|---|
| Long paragraphs copied from the thesis | The audience must read dense text while listening to the explanation. | Convert the material into headings, short bullets, or figures and tables where appropriate. |
| The research objective appears too late | The audience cannot tell why the method and results matter. | State the objective or research question soon after the background. |
| Figures or tables lack titles, labels, or units | The meaning of the data cannot be interpreted accurately. | Check titles, axes, units, legends, and necessary notes. |
| Provisional results are presented as final | The current status of the research becomes unclear. | Mark interim analyses and points that still require verification. |
| Sources for quotations, data, or images are unclear | The origin of the information cannot be checked. | Provide sources according to the rules of your university or seminar. |
Give the Script and the Slides Different Roles
You do not need to place every sentence you plan to say on the slide. Use slides to show the research logic, key terms, numerical results, figures, and tables, while using the spoken presentation or script for explanation and context. At the same time, avoid slides that are so minimal that the research objective or meaning of a figure cannot be understood.
During rehearsal, time the actual presentation and identify sections that take too long, transitions that are unclear, and assumptions that may need explanation during Q&A.
Prepare for Questions
Questions in an interim presentation may concern the relationship between the research objective and method, participant or material selection, differences from prior studies, data handling, or the next analysis steps. Use these questions to identify areas that may need clarification before completing the thesis.
For preparation beyond slide design, see our related article: Undergraduate Thesis Interim Presentation | Slides, Script & Q&A Preparation.
What iBooks Academic Support Can Review
Presentation structureBased on the materials you provide, we can review whether the research objective, prior studies, method, current progress, and next steps are arranged in a coherent order.
Text, figures, and citationsWe can review the amount of text on the slides, explanations of figures and tables, and consistency with references. We work from the data and research materials provided and do not invent unverified facts or results.
Alignment with presentation requirementsIf your university or seminar provides a presentation time, required sections, or a template, share those instructions so the materials can be reviewed against the actual requirements.
FAQ
Q. How many slides should an undergraduate thesis interim presentation have?
It depends on the assigned time and the rules of your university or seminar. Rather than deciding the number first, fit the background, objective, method, progress, and next steps into a structure you can explain within the allotted time.
Q. Can I present even if I do not have final results yet?
The required level of progress differs by institution. If the results are not final, distinguish work completed so far, available data or provisional observations, unfinished tasks, and your next steps.
Q. Do I need references on the slides?
When you use other researchers' work, statistics, figures, tables, or images, identify the source. Follow the citation format specified by your university, department, or seminar.
SummaryThe key to an effective interim-presentation slide deck is not decoration. It is making the following logic easy to follow: What are you trying to clarify? How are you investigating it? How far have you progressed? What remains to be done? Follow your institution's instructions first and adjust the amount of information to the actual presentation time.
Hashtags
#ThesisInterimPresentation #ThesisSlides #ResearchPresentation #UndergraduateThesis #PowerPoint #AcademicPresentation #ThesisSupport #QandA #iBooksAcademicSupport
Note: The slide sequence in this article is a general organizational example. Presentation time, required sections, templates, and citation formats vary by university, department, and seminar. Follow the instructions of your institution. If your research findings are not final, clearly distinguish provisional material from confirmed results.
Related Information: Undergraduate Thesis Interim Presentation | Slides, Script & Q&A Preparation
Related Information: How to Write a Report Discussion | Results vs. Reflection & Evidence-Based Analysis
Related Information: Undergraduate and Master's Thesis Research Support
Contact
Please tell us your thesis topic, submission deadline, required length, current progress, and requested support. After reviewing the materials, we will advise you on the necessary scope of work, delivery schedule, and fees. You may also consult us if your topic has not yet been decided or if your work has stalled partway through.
When orders are busy, phone lines may be difficult to connect. We will reply in order, so urgent inquiries should be sent byEmailplease contact us by this method.
