Tell Them A Story: Tim Miller, Spoken Science Tips for presenting for research to public audiences Tim Miller, Spoken Science

Congratulate them for choosing to participate in the program, this is the kind of thing that makes you better at what you do. Talk about why communication is so important. Also tell them that communication is NOT a science.

The hard part is not information The hard part is not information. The hard part is generating enthusiasm. In the information age, information is free. But enthusiasm costs. You must learn to engage them emotionally if you want this to work. How do you make someone understand something? You make them care about understanding it.

Someone wants something badly and has trouble getting it.

Hero Goal

Obstacle Hero Goal

Obstacle Hero Goal

Tell me some stories. Show them how this works.

A good story is not a sequence of events A good story is not a sequence of events. It is the answer to a question. Likewise, science is not a sequence of invention an experiment, it is the solution to a problem. Atomic theory, 18th century chemists, conservation of energy, 19th century physicist, DNA, 20th century biologists. Make them name some inventions. Show them how inventions solve problems.

Implementation Your Project Solution

Finding the balance between technical and general Finding the balance between technical and general. ALWAYS err on the side of more general.

Practice, revise, repeat Use simple nouns Use complex verbs Find and use metaphor Compare and contrast Practice, revise, repeat Tips for generalizing your language.

Practice, revise, repeat Make it clean Make it clear Make it short Make it sexy Practice, revise, repeat Tips for designing good visuals.

Practice, revise, repeat Ask questions Provide answers Stop talking Seek Pull Practice, revise, repeat Tips for engaging in conversation.