Developing Academic Presentations

From Written to Oral Discourse

 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.

Register
Audience determines…

Key
Manner
message
The Passing Stranger Tone

If you can explain your language

in 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 topic
MAKE A LIST (5) PRIOR TO THE TALK

Facilitating Discussion shows how

well you can involve others in your
area of interest
QUESTIONS 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...