Technically Speaking

Technically SpeakingDr. Sarah WangDuane Long

1Studies have shown that public speaking can be the most terrifying experience for some people.OutlineImportance

Elements of a Good Talk

Presentation Style2ImportanceTo Inform and Convince OthersWhat you have done and how well.

3The Craft of Research, Booth, Colomb, Williams, p. 12-15

Writing is an important part of learning, thinking and understanding.

Writing for others helps you understand your own work better as you anticipate the readers qustions.

Write in clear, concise sentences to eliminate the work of understanding by the reader.9/21/2012Prof. Davis, UMD ChEChE 3211/4211"Success in engineering and research depends as much upon the ability to present an idea convincingly as it does upon the ability to perform calculations and experiments. - T. O. Richards, General Motors CorporationChE 3211/42119/21/2012Prof. Davis, UMD ChE4ElementsKnow Your Topic

Know Your Audience

Know the Format5Knowing Your Topic

Research

Prepare more info than neededAllows you to adapt to your audience if neededSafety net

6Knowing Topic Contd

Informative

Entertaining

Concise7Know Your AudiencePitch to their level

Stay within your time limitRespect your audienceCourtesy to following speakers and moderators

Set the rules before you beginE.g., allow interruptions for questionsor save questions for the end.

8Presentation Style

Outlining your talkYour ComposureVisual AidsGood Intro9Style Contd

Presentation NotesYour VoiceBody LanguageTips10Prepare a Detailed OutlineIntroductionBodyCategoricalScientific MethodChronologicalEliminationSpatialCompare-contrastProblem-SolutionConclusionsSpecify goalsFocus on main pointsUse key words

(Note that you will hand in your detailed outline for grading as part of this lab.)

11Categorical: Divide information into categories, then describe each category.Scientific: Describe the experiment, then state the results and conclusions (scientific method: hypothesis, experiment, conclusion)Chronological: Use only when there is a clear sequence of events and the sequence is important.Elimination: Propose a list of options and then eliminate all but your personal preference as a way to get your audience to buy in.Spatial: Useful for describing machinery or processes. Using a visual aid, proceed as follows. Top-to-bottom, left-to-right, etc.Compare-Contrast: Useful to sell a new product or idea.Anecdotal: Tell a series of stories that come together to make a point.Problem-solution: State the problem (including recognition of the problem and definition of the problem). Present the solution. Show how your solution solves the problem.ComposureCompetenceComposedLook comfortableLet go of podium use hand gestures appropriatelyLikeabilitySmileMake friends with the audienceDynamicBe enthusiastic

12Competence is the ability to perform as an engineer, and public speakerCharacter can imply a variety of attributes including the existence or lack of integrity, courage, fortitude, honesty, loyalty, or virtue. Visual AidsRelevantReadableSimpleUse a readable font size (> 24 pt)Use standard math notation for equationsAvoid programming symbols (e.g., *, ^)Power PointPhysical Models or ProductVideo clipsSchematicsUse simple block diagrams (from Pre-lab)PhotographsDigital photos during construction and testing

13Note that you have already prepared schematics and equations that you can use in your Powerpoint Slides.You may plan to take digital pictures of your heat exchanger construction (during and final) to use in your presentations.Your IntroductionMemorize your first line word for wordUse industrial examples to hook the audienceEstablish relevanceDevelop audience interestConsider using an abbreviated outline of presentationGives the audience a road map of what is comingNot necessary for short presentations (< 15 minutes)

14Presentation NotesUse visual aids as promptsLook at your audience or projected images (not the screen on your laptop)Use proper names for symbols (e.g., say, thermal conductivity, instead of k-value.Summarize your presentation before asking for questionsAvoid monotone speechUse pauses between complex ideasLook professional

15Voice QualitySpeak loudly enough for all to hear.

Make sure your voice is varied in pitch and dynamics.

Speak in a resonant tone.

Make your voice rise and fall appropriately; dont run out of steam at the end of a sentence.

Speak at a medium pace. Generally, speak more carefully and slowly than you normally do.

Speak toward the audience. Briefly glance at slides.16From Hart, Introduction to Engineering Communication, p. 112Body LanguageUse appropriate movement. Move and position your hands naturally.

Use inclusive gestures (no crossed arms).

Maintain good posture (no leaning against the podium or shoving both hands in pockets).

Do not make distracting tics or noises.

Maintain good eye contact. Stand and face the audience.

17From Hart, Introduction to Engineering Communication, p. 112Do Not Let Your Bullet PointsSpeak for YouYour job is to create meaning so the audience understands the significance of your work.

Do not simply read your bullet points.

Explain: Provide connective tissue between bullet points.

18From Hart, Introduction to Engineering Communication, p. 108Anticipate QuestionsRepeat questionsGive yourself time to formulate a responseAllow other audience members to hear the questionTry to incorporate your response into your presentationInappropriate questions are best answered after the presentationIts OK to say, I dont know.Learn to think on your feet.

19Prof. Davis WILL ask some interesting questions. He is not trying to be mean just give you a little experience thinking on your feet.ReflectionDo your statements unintentionally curl up like questions, or do you use the word like, like, way too much?

You may be subtly impairing your image. Here are some suggestions to prepare

20What did you learn from watching a video of your presentation?Practice, Practice, Practice Practice out-loudPace your talkActual presentation is typically20% longer than practice timeStay within the allotted timeEye contactSpeechArticulate consonantsUse loudness, pauses, silence to stress points Video record practice presentations

21The surest method for eliminating butterflies is practice.

When you deliver your presentation, think of your strong heart beat as your inner applause.

22Any questions?