A Conversation Analysis of Adjacency Pairs in Undergraduate Thesis Defense: The Structure of Questioning

Abstract

The undergraduate thesis defense is a formal academic event where the interaction between examiners and students is highly structured. This study examines how these participants organize their talk, specifically focusing on the use of adjacency  pair in questioning-answering sequences. Using Conversation Analysis (CA), this research explores the pattern of dialogue within the institutional setting of a university defense. The analysis shows that the interaction is more than a simple exchange information. Students often use "insertion sequences" to clarify a question before answering, which helps them manage pressure of the examination. Furthermore, the study identifies how students handle difficult questions, they often use pauses or brief explanation before admitting a mistake or a limitation in their research. These finding suggest that success in the thesis defense depends not only on student's knowledge of the topic but also on their ability handle the formal structure of the conversation. The research provides useful insights for students preparing for their oral exam, highlighting the importance of communication skills in an academic environment.