How to Give a Talk Stephen Gilbert June 29, 2017 Gilbert, 2017

You’ll be giving a talk… Wed, July 12 to USC ICT’s REU site on interactive virtual experiences: http://ict.usc.edu/reu/ You talk in teams of 3. Gilbert, 2017

Doesn’t talking come naturally? No. It can be scary. It can be boring, even soporific. Gilbert, 2017

Doesn’t talking come naturally? No. It can be scary. It can be boring, even soporific. Practice Technique Gilbert, 2017

What are you trying to tell to your audience? You’re a passionate analytical authority. Oh, and by the way… Your message. Gilbert, 2017

Messages Please have 1-3 messages to convey. Each could be said in 30 seconds. Facebook Participation Increases Isolation Within Rural Communities. Our method of usability testing using bluetooth is better than existing methods. Gilbert, 2017

Non-Useful Messages I’m running out of time. I’m sorry… I did this, and this, and this, and that. Gilbert, 2017

Typical Talk Outline What’s the problem? (Hook!) What have you done about it? (big picture) How are you different than other people? What did you do really? (details) How did you solve the problem? Gilbert, 2017

Sample outline with slide counts Title/author/affiliation (1 slide) Motivation and Problem Statement (1-2) Why should anyone care? Outline of talk (1) Suggest you have an innovative solution Related Work (0-1) Cover superficially or omit; what have others tried? Methods / Results / Major Points (4-6) What did you do? What happened? Do not superficially cover all details; cover key points well. No big data. Conclusion (1) Backup Slides (0-3) Gilbert, 2017

Don’t delay the message Worse Better First, there was the mouse. Then other interfaces… I’m working on the iPhone… My contribution is… A problem to be solved is… My contribution is… Why does this matter? First there was the mouse… Build Gilbert, 2017

Story Arc with Signposting Level of audience interest What’s the problem? What’s the goal of this talk? Where are we headed next? Background – How does this help me? Example 1 Are we there yet? Time Example 2 Are we there yet? Example 3 Are we there yet? YES! Summary Implications, Next steps, Save the world Thank you. Questions? Gilbert, 2017

An effective talk must: Communicate arguments and evidence Persuade your audience they’re true Be interesting and entertaining What’s that mean? From Paul Edwards’ How to Give an Academic Talk Gilbert, 2017

Tips From Paul Edwards’ How to Give an Academic Talk Gilbert, 2017

Tips for your Voice puh! tuh! kuh! Breathe right (from gut, not chest) When you inhale, your stomach should push out. puh! tuh! kuh! Loud and deep Silence Repeat phrases Stand up… we're going to try it now! Gilbert, 2017

Tips for your Body Dancing (stand on a plastic bag) Speed Where to stand Eye contact and engagement Slide inspired by Leslie Potter Gilbert, 2017

Learn from Great Speakers TED Talks (ted.com) Ignite talks (igniteTalks.io) Open University on iTunes U And from bad ones Gilbert, 2017

Slide Advice PowerPoint Keynote Prezi Google Docs Slide Rocket Impress … David Byrne Human-Computer Interaction by Dix, Finley, Abowd & Beale (2004) Gilbert, 2017

Less is more Gilbert, 2017

Conscious decision Right now, Should they look at me or the screen? Do my words need any visual aid? Gilbert, 2017

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Sometimes… Good: Short, short bullet points Next best: Headline, no bullets Best: Just a picture, chart Gilbert, 2017

Privacy: in public vs. private Expectations of privacy depend on: Context Ease of access to data The person Gilbert, 2017

Privacy: in public vs. private Gilbert, 2017

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Another Example Gilbert, 2017

Do you like your birthday gift? Hello, Grandma? Yes, hello Marco! Do you like your birthday gift? Why, yes, I do! The new iPhone is so cool! I just jailbroke it and installed Linux on it. Gilbert, 2017

Pedestrian Deaths Highest in Florida Lowest in Delaware Gilbert, 2017

Last tips Use a remote control. Avoid giving a demo live. Don’t look at the screen (your back’s to the audience). Don’t read your slides. Do look at someone. Gilbert, 2017

Sum Up Passion & Style, not just content Tight messages Tell a story – Signposting! Gilbert, 2017

Improv Activity Get in pairs. Each pair draws a topic from the cup. Each pair has 6 minutes to prepare a 3-minute talk where both speak. Your outline: Here’s a problem, 2-3 solutions Listening pair gives feedback: 2 min 6 min 3 min 2 min 3 min 2… Gilbert, 2017