Friday, September 18, 2015

Crafting a Captivating Speech I: Listen

New to the TED-style presentation format, or to public speaking in general? The best way to get started is to observe the masters. As you review the available links, be sure to ask yourself the following questions:
  1. What drew me into the presentation?
  2. Did the speaker's technique (e.g. voice, gestures, visual aids) add to, or distract me from, the presentation topic?
  3. What were the main points discussed? How were they organized?
  4. What stuck with me after it was finished? 
Below is a list of useful media to inspire your presentation planning:
  • TED - There's no greater repository for captivating speeches. Some pertinent examples are talks by Rob Harmon, Jonathan Foley,
  • Here is a talk by Peter Gleick, who will be a panelist at this year's Student and Early Career Scientist Conference. Notice the clear organization, the commanding tone, and the strategic use of pauses in Dr. Gleick's lecture. 
  • Three-Minute Thesis - Students around the world have risen to the challenge of jamming their entire dissertations into 180 seconds. 
  • As scientists, we are held to the quality of our content, but our language is of obvious impact. Poets take this idea to the next level, often leading with sound and letting the meaning follow (see The Triggering Town, by Richard Hugo). Poems are the playgrounds of language. Go play. One recommended book for the avid earth scientist: We Mammals in Hospitable Times, by Jynne Dilling Martin.

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