Oral Presentation Tips for MCS-378: Operating Systems (Fall 2013)
On several occasions I have taught a First Term Seminar course, where one of the
goals was to build oral communication skills. Often I had the
students attend some of the Nobel Conference lectures and then, based
on that, we held a class discussion of what made some of the lectures
better than others -- what did some of the lecturers do right and
others wrong. Based on that discussion, we came up with a
list of questions that were to be used in evaluating the students'
presentations. The point is to revise your presentation plans and
practice your presentation until you are convinced that the answer to
each question is "yes." The lists have been somewhat different each year;
for MCS-378, we'll use this one:
- Does the presenter speak at an appropriate tempo?
- Does the presentation seem complete and reach closure?
- Is the presentation phrased in simple language well matched to the
audience?
- Does the presenter's voice vary in tone?
- Does the presenter operate visual aids confidently and at a tempo matched to the
presentation?
- Does the presentation incorporate specific evidence such as data?
- Does the presenter explain the format of data so as to be sure it
is understood?
- Is the presentation organized with an introduction, body, and
conclusion?
- Does the presenter speak fluently and naturally?
- Does the presenter outline the presentation and announce its major
sections?
- Does the presenter foreshadow topics that will be treated
later?
- Does the presenter move within a natural range and spread
attention around the audience?
- Does the presenter speak about the topic, rather than the visual
aids, and in particular avoid reading them?
- Are the visual aids simple, clear, and appropriate to the
audience?
- Does the presenter enunciate clearly?
- Does the presenter connect with the audience, including gaining
their attention at the beginning and maintaining eye contact?
- Is any humor appropriate?
- Does the presenter stand in a comfortable but focused stance?
- Does the presenter project his or her voice?
Course web site: http://gustavus.edu/+max/courses/F2013/MCS-378/
Instructor: Max Hailperin <max@gustavus.edu>