How to Give a Talk Stephen Gilbert June 30, 2015 Gilbert, 20151

You’ll be giving a talk… Wed, July 15, 1-4pm to USC ICT’s REU site on interactive virtual experiences: interns there, each with own talk. You talk in teams of 3. Gilbert, 20152

Doesn’t talking come naturally? No. It can be scary. It can be boring, even soporific. Gilbert, 20153

Doesn’t talking come naturally? No. It can be scary. It can be boring, even soporific. Practice Technique Gilbert, 20154

What are you trying to tell to your audience? You’re a passionate analytical authority. Oh, and by the way… Your message. Gilbert, 20155

Outline Structure of a Talk Technique PowerPoint Practice Activity Gilbert, 20156

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. Gilbert, 20157

Non-Useful Messages I’m running out of time. I’m sorry… I did this, and this, and this, and that. Gilbert, 20158

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) Gilbert, 20159

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? Gilbert,

Outline for an 8-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? (only if there’s time) Backup Slides (0-3) Have these ready in case people ask questions. Usually charts/diagrams. Gilbert,

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 Gilbert,

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 Gilbert,

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 Gilbert,

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

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 Gilbert,

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

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

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

Less is more Gilbert,

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

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

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

Privacy: in public vs. private Gilbert,

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Another Example Gilbert,

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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,

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

Last tips Use a remote control. Never give 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,

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

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