Technical Presentations Objectives and Overview Billy Sanders Credit to Donald Spencer, a co-worker at Sandia National Laboratories, and my Communications Guru

Advancement of Science and Technology Depends on: Solving Problems Communicating

Designing the Oral Presentation I. Consider Advantages/Limitations of Speech vs. Writing II. Analyze the Dynamics III. Organize the Content IV. Design the Visual Aids

I. Speech vs. Writing THE BASICS SpeechWritingusesLanguage

I. Speech vs. Writing INHERENT CHARACTERISTICS Speech is:Writing is: primaryderived continuousfixed augmentedsingle interactivesolitary immediatedelayed

I. Speech vs. Writing LIMITATIONS OF SPEECH Being Remembered Fixing Patterns Giving Detail Describing Appearances Treating Complexities

I. Speech vs. Writing ORAL PRESENTATION We use it when we want to: Secure a quick response Capitalize on personal impact Be persuasive Answer questions on the spot Meet crises demanding immediate action Promote personal image and prestige Establish and maintain personal-level relations Engage in deliberations leading to decisions

II. Analyzing the Dynamics CONSIDERATIONS Subject Purpose Audience

II. Analyzing the Dynamics SUBJECT Limit? Focus? Context? Handout?

II. Analyzing the Dynamics DECIDE YOUR PURPOSE Giving Information? or Persuading?

II. Analyzing the Dynamics CONSIDER THE AUDIENCE How Large? How Diverse? How Knowledgeable? How Predisposed? How Do They Regard Me? What Do They Expect?

III. Organizing the Content MAJOR STEPS Define Subject Divide Order Subdivide Develop — Introduce, Conclude —

III. Organizing the Content DEFINE YOUR SUBJECT Adapt to -- Purpose Audience — Write It Out —

III. Organizing the Content DIVIDE THE SUBJECT INTO 2, 3 or 4 Major Sections Use a Logical Scheme: Time Order Order of Importance Spatial Distribution Cause-Effect Something Else? Parts Should Be: Of Equal Size and Importance Have a Distinct Focus Provide Complete Coverage

III. Organizing the Content DECIDE THE ORDER Criteria -- Consider Your Logical Scheme Decide Order of Importance Where do You Want Audience Focus Consider Memorability Consider Acceptability

III. Organizing the Content SUBDIVIDE MAIN SECTIONS 2-5 Subsections Max. Avoid Further Subdivision Re-examine -- Subject Limitation Focus Purpose Logic Scheme —Consider Handouts —

III. Organizing the Content DEVELOPMENT Arrange in Subsections FactsIllustrations DataExamples ObservationsQuotations ArgumentComparisons AnalysisNarration

III. Organizing the Content CHECK EACH SUBSECTION Adequate Development? Excess Material? Redundancy? — Revise Accordingly —

III. Organizing the Content INTRODUCTION Defines -- Subject Purpose Treatment Scope Context Provides -- Filing System for Brain — Initiates Interaction —

III. Organizing the Content CONCLUSION May Summarize Important Points May List Conclusions Re-stresses Central Theme

IV. Designing the Visual Aids TWO BASIC TYPES VERBALS:Print + A Few Lines PICTORIALS:Everything Else

IV. Designing the Visual Aids PUT ON VERBALS Structural Cues -- Orient the Audience Provide Information Filing System Supporting Information -- Memory Joggers Items for Emphasis

IV. Designing the Visual Aids LANGUAGE Be Consistent Use Similar -- Parts of Speech Word Order Verb Tense

IV. Designing the Visual Aids USE VIGOROUS LANGUAGE Prefer --Avoid -- PositiveCliches SpecificJargon Nouns,VerbsEsoterica ActiveExotica

IV. Designing the Visual Aids CUT PUNCTUATION TO THE BONE MINIMIZE WORD, LINE COUNT Words < 25, Lines < 12 Too Many Too Much Words→Reading

In Summary: FOLLOW THE FOUR BASIC STEPS to Designing the Oral Presentation I.Consider Speech Vs. Writing II.Analyze the Dynamics III.Organize the Content IV.Design the Visual Aids

ORAL PRESENTATION Tool for Interaction No Substitute for Writing -- Therefore -- Adapt to Conditions Capitalize On Inherent Strengths Make Visuals Serve

Other Advice Carefully plan your talk, it removes anxiety! Practice your talk to improve delivery! Don't worry about being nervous! Relax! Try to have fun!

Let’s analyze a few examples