Prizes, Rules, and Criteria

Avoid jargon and overly academic language. 

Sufficiently contextualize and explain any concepts, methods, or people important to understanding your research. 

Highlight the desired outcomes and the actual outcomes of your research. 

Focus on the big picture and the importance of your research. 

Convey your excitement and enthusiasm for your subject. 

Tell a story: you may like to present your 3MT as a narrative, with a beginning, middle and end. For example, include a catchy opening to draw in attention, highlight your different points, and then finally restate the importance of your work. Consider making your research topical, using a case study, telling a story, finding an emotional angle, or incorporating humor to engage your audience. 

Proofread your 3MT presentation by reading it aloud to yourself, to your friends, and to family. Ask for their feedback and if they can explain what they understood. 

Avoid introducing yourself or acknowledging funding or other group members. 

Ensure your slide meets the criteria listed in the competition rules and requirements. 

Usually, less is more! Text and complicated graphics can distract your audience; you don’t want them to read your slide instead of listening to you. There should not be too much detail to where you would need to point to any part of your slide.  

Ensure that your slide is legible, clear, and concise. 

Avoid using your dissertation thesis title as the title of the presentation: it should be catchy and in plain language, like a newspaper headline. 

Proofread the slide and ensure any images are high quality. 

Additional Guidance: Submit your file as: First and Last Name-Title of Thesis-2025-3MT, Use the standard PowerPoint slide size. 

Practice, practice, practice! Gauge the timing of your presentation to ensure that it is in the time limit and that you can present with confidence and clarity. 

Memorize your 3MT presentation. Although notecards and notes are acceptable, using this option may detract from your delivery and is not recommended. 

Use a variety of speaking rhythms (fast/slow, loud/soft). 

Speak clearly and do not rush. Build in pauses to give the audience time to think. 

Use confident body language: stand straight, make eye contact, and hold your head up. 

Practice your hand movements; you are welcome to move around energetically or deliver the presentation from a single spot on the stage.  

Record and listen to your presentation to make any improvements. 

Avoid common presentation mistakes: using vocal fillers such as “um” and “uh,” rolling back and forth on your heels, pacing, or playing with your hair.  

Communication Academy workshops in Fall 2025 are carefully designed to help you succeed at the Three Minute Thesis competition! In order to qualify for travel funding to the regional competition, first place winners must have participated in at least 3 Communication Academy workshops. 

Preliminary participants who qualify for the finals are invited to a practice session in the JC Cinema. Details will be sent to those who are eligible.    

Visit the George Mason University Communication Center for one-on-one support, and check out their online communication guidance:  

Visit the George Mason University Writing Center to help prepare the wording of your presentation. 

Watch Three Minute Thesis presentations from around the world for inspiration: https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au/watch-3mt 

The University of Queensland’s Competitor Guide: https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au/resources/3mt-competitor-guide  

“Making the Most of Tour Three Minutes,” Simon Clews, 2013. https://www.ou.edu/content/dam/gradcollege/docs/Simon_Clews_Guide_to_3MT.pdf 

When will students learn about their advancement to the final round?  
All scores will be tallied and certified the week after the competition. We expect that all students will be notified of the preliminary results by Friday, October 17, 2025. 

I am unable to present in person; may I participate virtually?  
No. This is an in-person only event, and virtual participation will not be permitted. 

How will I know if I am within the time limit?  
You will be able to view a timer while presenting, which begins when you first speak. 

May I invite guests?  
Yes, audience attendance is encouraged—this includes George Mason University students and external friends and family members! Audience members, however, will be asked not to enter/exit during the time block. There will be breaks between blocks to allow for transitions. 

I am competing, when should I show up?  
Check-in at least 1 hour before your schedule presentation block.  

Can I change my slide between the preliminary round and the final round?  
No. Due to time constraints and the number of participants we cannot guarantee that all requests for changes will be honored. 

What size should my slide be?  
Use the standard PowerPoint size. 

Can I use sound or video?  
No, additional electronic media (sound or video files) is permitted during a 3MT presentation. 

Can I interact with the audience—for example, asking the audience to raise their hands and explaining the reason for doing?  
Yes, the presenter is allowed to interact with the audience. This should be limited and rhetorical in nature and not break any of the 3MT rules (e.g. no props, only spoken word) 

What happens if I cannot attend the final?  
The winner of each round is expected to attend the next stage of the competition. If the winner is unable to attend the final round, then the runner-up will proceed to the next round of the competition.