Academic Communication Lesson 2 Pick up two different handouts per person from the desk at the front of the room: “Choose a result” homework “Strategy & Checklist” Look at your attendance card. Glue your photo on (if not done already) but leave the card at the front. Remember your English name. Course Website: http://staff.ustc.edu.cn/~acadcom

Course Goals Good speakers will get better Bad speakers will get “good enough” (to present scientific results in English at an international conference) You will know what to aim for (i.e. what you are trying to do) You will know what mistakes to avoid

With your partner, make 2 lists… What makes a good scientific presentation good? Clear organization … What makes a bad scientific presentation bad? Bad pronunciation

Presentation Checklist Two uses: Gives you a step-by-step plan to follow Makes sure you do not miss anything important

During the Break… Glue an ID photo onto your attendance card if you did not do it last week. (If you do not have a photo with you today then bring one next week, BUT you must still hand your card in today.)

Section 1: Determining your topic A. Choose a subject. [This may be all or part of the paper to be presented.] B. Analyze the purpose of the talk. C. Analyze your listeners.

Section 1: Determining your topic A. Choose a subject. [This may be all or part of the paper to be presented.] = Your homework: Chose a paper to present B. Analyze the purpose of the talk. C. Analyze your listeners.

Section 1: Determining your topic A. Choose a subject. [This may be all or part of the paper to be presented.] = Your homework: Chose a paper to present B. Analyze the purpose of the talk. Done in first class of course: “Prove that you can present a research result well in English” Prove you can explain things in a way suitable for a conference C. Analyze your listeners.

Section 1: Determining your topic A. Choose a subject. [This may be all or part of the paper to be presented.] = Your homework: Chose a paper to present B. Analyze the purpose of the talk. Done in first class of course: “Prove that you can present a research result well in English” C. Analyze your listeners. Done in first class: “Graduate level scientists, probably in different area and/or field”

Section 1D: Central Idea Write a clear statement of your central idea. One sentence 20 to 40 words long Be specific for this talk (NOT “Introduce my result.” That is BAD!!) What is the research result you will focus on? What should listeners get from the talk? Good: objective, quantitative data like numbers Bad: qualitative, subjective words like “big”, “good” May include technical terms you will define in your talk

Central Idea Examples: “Typical language students can reduce their accent in a second language 50% faster by using a computer which displays their voice pitch and stress in real time.” (Good, can be used anywhere in Introduction) “Sleator and Tarjan’s splay tree data structure can be extended to k-ary search trees in a way that is provably statically optimal and probably dynamically optimal.” (Good but can only be used after technical terms are defined, e.g. at end of Introduction.)

Section 1E: General Format For this course, it must be computer projection. Why? Because that’s what almost all modern conferences expect. For other types of talks, it can vary… Speech only (no visual aids) Lecture with blackboard …

Section 1F: Pattern of Organization Predict main points Introduction <<< What points will be in here? >>> Conclusion Select a pattern of organization Often similar to outline of the written paper, but it does not have to be! Another pattern may be better.

Professional Terminology It is not enough to be an expert; You must also sound like an expert! Vocabulary, pronunciation, usage, etc. Consider, for example, syllable stress

Syllable Stress Syllable stress: important for recognizing the word syll-a-ble syll-a-ble syll-a-ble syll-a-ble A common problem in student presentations! Which is correct? “im-age” or “i-mage”? Answer: “im-age” the “a” pronounced as [ə] “uh” not [ei] like “way”

Syllable Stress mech-a-nism? me-chan-ism? mech-a-nism? mech-a-nism? Answer: mech-a-nism (noun) Similar words with different stress: me-chan-ics (noun) me-chan-i-cal (adjective) mech-a-nist-tic (adjective)

Your Personal Dictionary Write out 10 important terms used often in your research area [5 minutes] At least 5 terms must have 3 or more syllables (i.e. be long terms) Take turns with your partner saying the terms out loud to each other Look for problem sounds in the term (e.g. “th”, r-l-n) and be sure you pronounce them well Be sure of the syllable stress (Remember the problems with “image” & “mechanism”!) Speak confidently!

Homework Choose a paper for your final exam, as explained in the small handout. Bring it to class next week! (We will use it in Lesson 3.) Be sure I have your attendance card before you leave today. Do NOT take your card with you! Even if you do not have a photo on it yet, I need to have your card NOW.