From Written to Oral Discourse

Developing Academic Presentations

Speaker-Audience Relationship

You need to consider…

… the power dynamic;

… assumptions about their understanding of your topic;

…what language is appropriate.

Speaker and Audience

When you research a topic through reading YOU ARE A THE EXPERT.

Audience determines…Register

Key messageManner

The Passing Stranger Tone

If you can explain your languagein language suitable to the ‘passing stranger’ you will probably:

1. Have the right tone - The formality and courtesy

2. Not assume too much prior knowledge

• Never just highlight or re-write parts of written language.

• Write your notes from articles in ORAL LANGUAGE that sounds right for YOU.

• Practice with Signposting notes ONLY

The Three-Step Approach

• Tell them what you will tell them (Forecast),

• Tell them (Present)

• and tell them what you told them (Summary).

Questions are a Good Sign

Handling questions shows how well you have considered your topicMAKE A LIST (5) PRIOR TO THE TALK

Facilitating Discussion shows how well you can involve others in your area of interestQUESTIONS TO THE AUDIENCE FOR COMMENT

Presentation Structure• Outline - Give talk structure. What will you talk about in what

order. (1 slide: Audiences like predictability)

• Background (1 ) What do you know about this field / issue? Give a general outline.

• Motivation/Problem (1) Reflection on the problem –/ what got you thinking about this research?

• Problem Statement (2x) What is the key question behind the problem? What will you DO with the information? Why should anyone care - benefits? This is main body of the talk. Do not superficially do this. Give insights. Most researchers overestimate how much the audience knows about the problem.

Presentation Structure• Related Work in the Field - (2 slides) Summaries of Journals

and Books. In academic debate (two viewpoints) give equal time and weight.

• Gathering Info / Methodology – (1) Where will you find your information: surveys etc

• Predicted Outcomes (1) What do you think will be discovered? How will your research outcomes link to the organisation you would like to help.

• In Summary - repeat main points (1) and briefly look at future direction of research. Finish with thank you. Ask for questions.

And Finally…• TRY NOT TO…

Read passages of text for the articles or read your presentation or read your slides

Go over time by more that 2 minutes – you must practise this before!

–ALWAYS drink water and control your breathing beforehand – it will help nerves

And don’t stress out – it’s over before you know it...