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REU College of Engineering

Public Speaking in Science

Prof. Amber Erickson, Department of Communication

Issues with Public Speaking

• What are some challenges in public speaking?

• Individual or overall

• What are some challenges with group presentations?

• How did your group perform on Friday?

Introduction

• Why is public speaking important?

• On the job• Defending and explaining ideas• Others?

• How is it used in science and engineering?

• In other words: When/why will you have to give a presentation?

• Why is it important to become proficient?

• Do not have to like it to be good at it

5 Parts of Public Speaking

1. Audience

2. Organization, Goal and Information

3. Intro and Con

4. Delivery

• includes group delivery and transitions5. Visual Aids

• set up, design and use “Tracking the Trackers” – Gary Kovacs Video

Audience

• Need to understand audience

• Analyze the audience

• What knowledge do they have?

• What knowledge do they need?

• Who are they?• Age, education, etc.

• Helps to prepare and plan presentation

• How?

Organization, Goal and Information

• How to organize a presentation

• Categorize material• 3-5 sections• Create a preview

slide/statement • Make each section

obvious to audience• Reinforce verbally and

on visual

Why is organization important?

Organization, Goal and Information

• Goal

• Goal of the presentation• Make obvious to audience• Add to preview

slide/statement

• Project Goal vs. Presentation Goal

• What is the difference?• How do they relate?• What should you do with

these?

Organization, Goal and Information

• Information

• Specific• Complete for time limit• Appropriate for audience

• Consider – knowledge gap, language, interest

• Cite Sources

• Organize

• Info should be in your 3-5 sections• Supporting the main points/sections• Helps audience and speaker follow

presentation

Organization, Goal and Information

• Example

• Preview/Goal: Three Smartphone or tablet applications that can make you smarter are Ted, Mini Piano and Google Mobile.

• Main point/Section 1: Ted links you to thousands of Ted and Tedx speeches.

• Main point/Section 2: This second app that can make you smarter is Mini Piano.

• Main point/Section 3: Google Mobile for instant information.

Intros and Conclusions

• Presentations have 3 parts

• Introduction, Body and Conclusion

• Intro and Conclusion

• Often overlooked• 10-20% of the presentation

• Measure this in time• 20 minute = 1-2 minutes each

Intros and Conclusions

• Grocery List

• 2 points

1. Makes intro and conclusion important

2. Burdens the middle of the presentation

•Primacy-Recency Effect

Intros and Conclusions

• Purpose

1. Relates to audience

• Greeting

2. Impacts audience• Explains why topic

is important• Gets attention

3. States goal and previews points

Introduction

Intros and Conclusions

Purpose

1. Bring audience back

2. Reinforces goal

3. Ends with an impact

• Consider linking to Intro

• Primacy-Recency

ConclusionHow important is the end of a movie?

IntroductionThe Basics

Delivery

Individual

• Eye Contact• Enthusiasm• Conversational• Confidence

Groups

• Transitions• Run visuals• Behave when

others are speaking

• Individual rules apply

Visual Aids: Set up, Design & Use

• What is the purpose of a visual aid?

• Aid in understanding• Make it interesting• Others?

• Set up

• Be sure equipment is available and ready• Ex. sound, projector, files, etc.• Be sure it is there and works

• Credibility issue

• Easy to understand• Use large enough font

• 24 or larger• Bullet vs. paragraphs• High contrast color combo

Visual Aids: Set up, Design & Use

• Design Basics

• Consistency• Simplicity• Readability

• Less is more• 4X4 or 6X6 rule

• Make a style• Similar colors and fonts

• All headings the same

Visual Aids: Set up, Design & Use• Using Visual Aids

• Refer to it• Use it as a tool• Point out items

• Avoid too much focus• Use notes, rather than the slides• Avoid reading from slides or just looking at

objects• Be sure it is worth it

• Assess if it helps your audience• Find a friend

• Have someone else run your slides or get a remote

Conclusion

Put it All Together• Organize your speech into 3-5 points

• Strong Intro and Conclusion

• Remember the Delivery Points

• Use and choose your Visual Aid well

Activity

• In project groups

• Discuss questions about presenting

Activity

Individual Speeches

• Sign up for speech order

• Critique every other speaker on given critique sheet

• We will take a break between groups

• I need a timer for both groups – any volunteers?