11/15/11 - l16 professional talkscopyright 2011 - joanne degroat, ece, osu1 professional talks

11/15/11 - L16 Professional Talks Copyright 2011 - Joanne DeGroat, ECE, OSU 1

Professional Talks

11/15/11 - L16 Professional Talks

Copyright 2011 - Joanne DeGroat, ECE, OSU 2

Overview Professional Talks

Background Structure the talk

Start with an outline Use of pictures, animation, etc.

Presentation Framework

Background As an engineer you will have many (very

many) opportunities to make professional presentation.

Topic – typically the presentation will be to report on work that you have done or at the start of work you are about to propose or accomplish.

Professional presentations always have a focus.



The focus In preparing the talk be sure the focus is well

defined and clear in your mind. The points you emphasize when reporting on

work accomplished differs from work you are proposing.\

Work accomplished The problem and its scope Your implemented solution to the problem The success of your implementation



Porposed work When giving a presentation on a proposal the focus is

partially the same, but you have not yet solved the problem. The problem and its scope Limitations of possible solution Outline of a proposed solution to the problem The manhours/manpower needed to accomplish the work. The specific tasks to be done to achieve the solution. A Gantt Chart of the timeline of the work The cost of the proposed solution (and possible contrast to

alternative solutions)



The style of the presentation Structure of the talk

Title slide (slide 1) TITLE Group name & membership Company Logo

Outline slide The points that you will be talking to

1st talking slide



1st talking slide If the person starting the presentation is the

one who presents the first point no transition is needed.

For a transition – emphasize the topic of the first point and that it will be presented by xxxx (say name).



2nd point of talk For transition to second point of presentation

Put up outline slide again – only this time highlight the 2nd point

1st point speaker says something to the effect of “the presentation will continue with discussion of ‘2nd point’ and it will be presented by 2nd-name.

Continue this way to last speaker asks for questions. Ask for questions even if there are questions during the presentation.



General Guidelines for slides Done not speak the slides (do speak the outline point

at the start) The slides are just a guide (both for you and the

listener) You do not want to speak the slides (i.e., slides have

the full text of what you are going to say) – Then the audience is reading the slide and not listening to you.

Do not make slides too busy. Same reason – audience analyzes figure and is not giving speaker full attention.



During the presentation Speak clearly and look at audience Scan audience Practice and avoid the aahs and oohs that are

injected to take up perceived dead space. Dead space is natural in speaking. A good exercise – record yourself doing a 3

minute presentation. Watch it, watch it, watch it. Intentionally put in pauses in which you are

totally silent to emphasize a point.11/15/11 - L16 Professional Talks


References Text have minimal coverage on giving talks. There is lots of material out there. People make a living giving seminars on

making professional presentations.



From “Writing as an Engineer” Chapter 8

Preparing Analyze your audience Decide on your primary purpose Determine your time frame Control you material

You cannot present all the minute detail Prepare and outline and notes Create Graphics Prepare Introduction and Conclusion

Practice, practice, practice Read Chapter 8



Pocket book of Technical Writing Much the same. Chapter 17 – pages 305-321



To be a better presenter Practice, practice, practice

RECORD the practice and then watch it!! Do in real life, do in real life, do in real life Consider joining toastmaster or similar

organization.



11/15/11 - l16 professional talkscopyright 2011 - joanne degroat, ece, osu1 professional talks

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