Difference between revisions of "20.109(S13):Guidelines for oral presentations"
From Course Wiki
(New page: {{Template:20.109(S13)}} <div style="padding: 10px; width: 640px; border: 5px solid #99FF66;"> Scientific data is communicated in many ways. Data can be shared informally through email w...) |
m |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
<div style="padding: 10px; width: 640px; border: 5px solid #99FF66;"> | <div style="padding: 10px; width: 640px; border: 5px solid #99FF66;"> | ||
| − | Scientific data | + | Scientific data are communicated in many ways. Data can be shared informally through email with a collaborator or in lab group meetings. Data can also be formally communicated as publications in peer-reviewed journals or as presentations at international meetings. Successful scientific careers require both written and oral presentations, and scientific reputations are based on BOTH. It is important to know that every presentation, no matter how informal, can impact your reputation. That's one reason you can find such detailed and numerous [http://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2010/10/06/delph guidelines] for giving scientific job talks. |
Hour-long seminars, ten-minute conference talks, discussion-driven group meetings, and journal clubs are all ways scientists share data orally. While the content, length and purpose of each talk varies, they share certain common elements, including organization, clarity, and proper attribution for the work. | Hour-long seminars, ten-minute conference talks, discussion-driven group meetings, and journal clubs are all ways scientists share data orally. While the content, length and purpose of each talk varies, they share certain common elements, including organization, clarity, and proper attribution for the work. | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
The individual oral presentations you give in this class will be ten-minute journal club talks. You will present an introduction to the topic, relevant data, and a summary. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to answer questions from your classmates and instructors. Realistically, only two or three ideas can be effectively conveyed in so short a time, and even that will require that you carefully plan what you will say and then practice saying it. '''You are expected to rehearse and ultimately deliver your talk with a timer running, and to adjust your presentation as needed to stay within the allotted time. Fairness to your classmates demands that you respect the ten-minute time limit'''. | The individual oral presentations you give in this class will be ten-minute journal club talks. You will present an introduction to the topic, relevant data, and a summary. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to answer questions from your classmates and instructors. Realistically, only two or three ideas can be effectively conveyed in so short a time, and even that will require that you carefully plan what you will say and then practice saying it. '''You are expected to rehearse and ultimately deliver your talk with a timer running, and to adjust your presentation as needed to stay within the allotted time. Fairness to your classmates demands that you respect the ten-minute time limit'''. | ||
| − | In addition to the advice below, you should also consult with [ | + | In addition to the advice below, you should also consult with [http://openwetware.org/wiki/User:Atissa | Atissa Banuazizi]. |
==A few tips== | ==A few tips== | ||
| − | *A | + | *A 10 talk is NOT a 30 talk given very fast. |
*It will help if you memorize the first few sentences of your talk. After that, sticking too closely to a script can sound artificial, plus you might get really thrown off and stuck if you forget your exact phrasing. A little flexibility is better for both you and the audience. | *It will help if you memorize the first few sentences of your talk. After that, sticking too closely to a script can sound artificial, plus you might get really thrown off and stuck if you forget your exact phrasing. A little flexibility is better for both you and the audience. | ||
| − | *Think of ways to transition from one slide to the next: | + | *Think of ways to transition from one slide to the next: The authors then identified the isolated protein using mass spectrometry. |
*Generally speaking, you should figure out how to work the lights, slide projector, curtains, etc. before you begin. In this class, we'll worry about those aspects for you; however, you should get comfortable with the timer, laser pointer (see below), and your software. | *Generally speaking, you should figure out how to work the lights, slide projector, curtains, etc. before you begin. In this class, we'll worry about those aspects for you; however, you should get comfortable with the timer, laser pointer (see below), and your software. | ||
| − | *Laser pointers or sticks should be used to direct attention to images on the screen. Be sure to always use a pointer with a '''specific purpose''' in mind, rather than constantly gesturing in the general vicinity of your slide; otherwise, the audience will not know what's important. | + | *Laser pointers or sticks should be used to direct attention to images on the screen. Be sure to always use a pointer with a '''specific purpose''' in mind, rather than constantly gesturing in the general vicinity of your slide; otherwise, the audience will not know what's important. Don t aim your laser pointer at anyone since it can damage a person s eyes. |
*Keep the lights as bright as possible. If you must turn the lights off for some image to be properly seen, then remember to turn the lights back on. People can and do fall asleep during dark seminars. | *Keep the lights as bright as possible. If you must turn the lights off for some image to be properly seen, then remember to turn the lights back on. People can and do fall asleep during dark seminars. | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
*Speak in a louder voice | *Speak in a louder voice | ||
*Speak with variety in your vocal tone (not a monotone) | *Speak with variety in your vocal tone (not a monotone) | ||
| − | *Do practice your talk, which will help eliminate crutch words such as | + | *Do practice your talk, which will help eliminate crutch words such as so, um, and like |
==Format== | ==Format== | ||
| Line 57: | Line 57: | ||
*Point out strengths and weaknesses of the data along the way | *Point out strengths and weaknesses of the data along the way | ||
| | | | ||
| − | *Read your talk. Similarly, | + | *Read your talk. Similarly, don t read lists from slides |
*Put too much information on each slide. Each slide should make only one point | *Put too much information on each slide. Each slide should make only one point | ||
| − | *Ever say, | + | *Ever say, I know you can t read this, but Everything on each slide should be legible. |
*Be afraid to remind the audience how the data fits into the overall question | *Be afraid to remind the audience how the data fits into the overall question | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
|1 | |1 | ||
| | | | ||
| − | *Review each of your main | + | *Review each of your main messages |
*Say what the study contributed to the field | *Say what the study contributed to the field | ||
| | | | ||
Revision as of 16:44, 23 February 2013
Scientific data are communicated in many ways. Data can be shared informally through email with a collaborator or in lab group meetings. Data can also be formally communicated as publications in peer-reviewed journals or as presentations at international meetings. Successful scientific careers require both written and oral presentations, and scientific reputations are based on BOTH. It is important to know that every presentation, no matter how informal, can impact your reputation. That's one reason you can find such detailed and numerous guidelines for giving scientific job talks.
Hour-long seminars, ten-minute conference talks, discussion-driven group meetings, and journal clubs are all ways scientists share data orally. While the content, length and purpose of each talk varies, they share certain common elements, including organization, clarity, and proper attribution for the work.
The individual oral presentations you give in this class will be ten-minute journal club talks. You will present an introduction to the topic, relevant data, and a summary. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to answer questions from your classmates and instructors. Realistically, only two or three ideas can be effectively conveyed in so short a time, and even that will require that you carefully plan what you will say and then practice saying it. You are expected to rehearse and ultimately deliver your talk with a timer running, and to adjust your presentation as needed to stay within the allotted time. Fairness to your classmates demands that you respect the ten-minute time limit.
In addition to the advice below, you should also consult with | Atissa Banuazizi.
A few tips
- A 10��� talk is NOT a 30��� talk given very fast.
- It will help if you memorize the first few sentences of your talk. After that, sticking too closely to a script can sound artificial, plus you might get really thrown off and stuck if you forget your exact phrasing. A little flexibility is better for both you and the audience.
- Think of ways to transition from one slide to the next: ���The authors then identified the isolated protein using mass spectrometry.���
- Generally speaking, you should figure out how to work the lights, slide projector, curtains, etc. before you begin. In this class, we'll worry about those aspects for you; however, you should get comfortable with the timer, laser pointer (see below), and your software.
- Laser pointers or sticks should be used to direct attention to images on the screen. Be sure to always use a pointer with a specific purpose in mind, rather than constantly gesturing in the general vicinity of your slide; otherwise, the audience will not know what's important. Don���t aim your laser pointer at anyone since it can damage a person���s eyes.
- Keep the lights as bright as possible. If you must turn the lights off for some image to be properly seen, then remember to turn the lights back on. People can and do fall asleep during dark seminars.
How to deal with nerves
- Consider it excitement and turn it into enthusiasm
- Remember that even the most experienced speakers get nervous right before a talk
- Speak in a louder voice
- Speak with variety in your vocal tone (not a monotone)
- Do practice your talk, which will help eliminate crutch words such as ���so,��� ���um,��� and ���like���
Format
| Section | Minutes | Number of slides | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction | ~2 | 2-3 |
|
|
| Data | ~7 | 4-6 |
|
|
| Summary | ~1 | 1 |
|
|
| Question & Answer | ? | 0 |
|
|
REHEARSE YOUR TALK SEVERAL TIMES
