How to Give a Talk Stephen Gilbert July 7, 2014

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

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

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

Outline Structure of a Talk Technique PowerPoint Practice Activity

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

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

Sample Outline for an Academic Talk 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; refer people to your paper Methods (1) Results (4-6) Do not superficially cover all results; cover key result well. Do not just present numbers; interpret them to give insights. No large tables. Summary (1) Future Work (0-1) Backup Slides (0-3)

The Real Outline What’s the problem? 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?

Outline for a 10-minute REU talk Title/author/affiliation (1 slide) Motivation and Problem Statement (1 slide) Why should anyone care? Suggest you have a solution. Related Work (1 slide) Cover quickly; refer people to your paper. Methods (1, 2 if really needed) Results (2-3 slides probably) Do not superficially cover lots of results; cover 1-2 key results well. Do not just present numbers; interpret them to give insights. No large tables of numbers Summary (1) What have you just told them? What's your contribution? Future Work (0 -1 slides) Where is this going next? (could omit) Backup Slides (0-3) Have these ready in case people ask questions. Usually charts/diagrams.

Don’t delay the message 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… WorseBetter Build

Story Arc with Signposting 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? Example 2 Are we there yet? Example 3 Are we there yet? YES! Summary Implications, Next steps, Save the world Thank you. Questions? Level of interest Time

An effective academic 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

Tips From Paul Edwards’ How to Give an Academic Talk

Tips for your Voice Breathe right (from gut, not chest) When you inhale, your stomach should push out. puh! tuh! kuh! Loud and deep Silence Repeat phrases

Keep control of talk Rehearse, including jokes & tech Bring backup notes No need to apologize

Learn from Great Speakers TED Talks (ted.com) Ignite talks (igniteShow.com) iTunes U And from bad onesbad ones

Slide Advice David Byrne PowerPoint Keynote Prezi Google Docs Slide Rocket Impress …

Less is more

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

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

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

Privacy: in public vs. private

Another Example

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.

Pedestrian Deaths Highest in Florida overall Lowest in Delaware overall Sorted by per capita

Last tips Use a remote control. Never give a demo live. Don’t look at the screen (your back’s to the audience). Do look at someone.

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

Improv Activity Get in pairs. Each pair draws a topic from the bowl. Each pair has 8 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 8 min3 min2 min3 min2…

How to Make a Poster

Basics July 16: Poster Draft to Caglar July 28: Final Poster to Caglar 24” x 36” 30 – 60 pt font, 16pt minimum Funded by NSF Grant CNS

Content What will you present? (Not everything) Think “Advertisement for Your Work” What’s your message?

Content 2 1. What is the problem you are tackling? 2. What is the current state-of-the-art? 3. What is your key make-a-difference concept or technology? 4. What have you already accomplished? 5. What is your plan for success?

Layout Left -> Right Top -> Bottom (In the West)

Color Text in a dark color Special text in another color

Names Dr. Stephen Gilbert Stephen Gilbert, Ph.D.

Presenting the Poster Relate it to your audience Big picture What do they have in common with you? What problem are you solving? 30 – sec pitch (elevator pitch) Elaborate afterwards if asked. Silence is ok.

Let the audience enter your story You show: “Imagine you were in this situation…” They respond and engage. Eyes sparkle. Eye contact (avoid looking down)

Look at your listeners Glazing over? Question on lips? To do this well, you need to practice your pitch so much that you don’t have to think.

Logistics Stand to the side of your poster Don’t talk to the poster If demoing: Have a driver and a speaker Practice

More Resources A Verbose Guide to Presenting an Academic Poster A Verbose Guide to Presenting an Academic Poster Kristy M. Ainslie, UNC Chapel Hill Deb Satterfield Video Deb Satterfield Video (pwd buildbetterposters) Deb Satterfield Slides for that Video Deb Satterfield Slides for that Video (use VRAC login)