Chapter Twenty-Nine Speaking in Other College Courses

Chapter Twenty-Nine Table of Contents zTypical Presentation Formats zTypical Audiences zSpeaking in Science and Mathematics Courses zSpeaking in Technical Courses zSpeaking in Social Science Courses zSpeaking in Arts and Humanities Courses zSpeaking in Education Courses*

Speaking in Other College Courses zPublic speaking is likely to be part of the curriculum of many courses.*

Typical Presentation Formats zTeam presentation yOral presentation prepared and delivered by three people or more zPanel discussion yGroup discusses a topic in front of an audience, at the direction of a moderator zPoster session yUse posters to visually present information zDebate yTwo individuals or groups argue a point or issue from opposing viewpoints*

Typical Audiences zIn addition to specifying a presentation format, your professors may request that you tailor your speech for an individual audience.*

Typical Audiences zThe Expert or Insider Audience zColleagues within the Field zThe Lay Audience zThe Mixed Audience*

Typical Audiences: The Expert or Insider Audience zThe expert or insider audience consists of people who possess intimate knowledge of the topic, issue, product, or idea discussed. yDo not need to provide much background information*

Typical Audiences: Colleagues within the Field zColleagues within the field share your knowledge of the general field under question, but may not be familiar with the specific topic under discussion. yFocus on in-depth information rather than background information*

Typical Audiences: The Lay Audience zThe lay audience has the least amount of knowledge of the given field and topic. yRequires the most background information*

Typical Audiences: The Mixed Audience zThe mixed audience consists of people with varying degrees of knowledge about your field. yTherefore, you must satisfy the needs of both lay audiences and expert audiences.*

Speaking in Science and Mathematics Courses zScience courses include physical sciences, natural sciences, and earth sciences.*

Speaking in Science and Mathematics Courses zSample Kinds of Presentations zCharacteristics of Effective Presentations in Science and Mathematics*

Speaking in Science and Mathematics Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zA research presentation is generally directed to the expert audience and follows the model used in scientific investigation.*

Speaking in Science and Mathematics Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zThe extended research or field study presentation can be delivered in teams, individually, or in poster session format.*

Speaking in Science and Mathematics Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zThe research overview presentation provides context and background for a question or hypothesis that will form the basis of an undertaking.*

Speaking in Science and Mathematics Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zThe methods/procedure presentation is an informative speech of demonstration.

Speaking in Science and Mathematics Courses: Characteristics of Effective Presentations in Science and Mathematics zEffective presentations in the sciences clearly illustrate the nature of the research question and the means by which the results were achieved.*

Speaking in Science and Mathematics Courses: Characteristics of Effective Presentations in Science and Mathematics zUse observations, proofs, and experiments as evidence and support. zHave a selective focus on details. zUse presentation aids to illustrate processes.*

Speaking in Technical Courses zTechnical disciplines include engineering fields, computer-science– oriented fields, and design-oriented fields.*

Speaking in Technical Courses zSample Kinds of Presentations zCharacteristics of Effective Technical Presentations*

Speaking in Technical Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zThe design review presentation provides information on the results of a design project.*

Speaking in Technical Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zIn the request for funding presentation, a team member or the entire team provides evidence that a project is worth funding.*

Speaking in Technical Courses: Characteristics of Effective Technical Presentations zUse visual diagrams and prototypes. zUse numerical data and experimental results as evidence and support. zProvide appropriate background and context.*

Speaking in Social Science Courses zSocial sciences include psychology, sociology, political science, and communication. zPresentations for the social sciences have a pronounced focus on connecting research results with predicting or explaining human behavior or social forces based on: yQualitative research xEmphasis is placed on observing, describing, and interpreting behavior yQuantitative research xEmphasis is placed on statistical measurement*

Speaking in Social Science Courses zSample Kinds of Presentations zCharacteristics of Effective Social Science Presentations*

Speaking in Social Science Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zThe explanatory research presentations reports on studies that attempt to analyze or explain a phenomenon.*

Speaking in Social Science Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zThe evaluation research presentation measures the success of programs developed to address phenomena.*

Speaking in Social Science Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zThe review of the literature presentation reviews the body of research related to a given topic or issue and offers conclusions based on this research.*

Speaking in Social Science Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zThe policy recommendation presentation presents research, information, ideas, and advice to a lay audience to help it solve a problem. *

Speaking in Social Science Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zIf asked to participate in a debate, you will need to prepare a well-composed argument with strong supporting evidence.*

Speaking in Social Science Courses: Characteristics of Effective Presentations in the Social Sciences zEffective presentations in the social sciences clearly illustrate the nature of the research question and the means by which results were achieved. You can achieve this by: yUsing timely data yReferring to current research in the field*

Speaking in Arts and Humanities Courses zThe arts and humanities include English, philosophy, languages, art history, theater, music, religion, and history. yEmphasize interpretation and analysis*

Speaking in Arts and Humanities Courses zSample Kinds of Presentations zCharacteristics of Effective Arts and Humanities Presentations*

Speaking in Arts and Humanities Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zInformative speeches of explanation yDetail the relevance of a historical event, a school of philosophy, or a work of art. They often use visual aids as a key part.*

Speaking in Arts and Humanities Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zPresentations that compare and contrast yHighlight similarities and differences between events, stories, people, or artifacts*

Speaking in Arts and Humanities Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zDebates in the arts and humanities may consider opposing ideas, historical figures, or philosophical positions.*

Speaking in Arts and Humanities Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zMany instructors in the arts and humanities ask students to research a question or book and then lead a classroom discussion on it.*

Speaking in Arts and Humanities Courses: Characteristics of Effective Presentations in the Arts and Humanities zEffective presentations in the arts and humanities help the audience to think of the topic in a new way by providing an original interpretation.*

Speaking in Education Courses zEducation includes curriculum and instruction, physical education, secondary and elementary education, and education administration.*

Speaking in Education Courses zSample Kinds of Presentations zCharacteristics of Effective Presentations in Education*

Speaking in Education Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zA lecture is an informational speech for new student learners.*

Speaking in Education Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zA group activity presentation is a short introduction to a group activity that follows a lecture.*

Speaking in Education Courses: Sample Kinds of Presentations zThe classroom discussion presentation is an informal presentation for which education majors typically prepare.*

Speaking in Education Courses: Characteristics of Effective Presentations in Education zEffective education presentations must be tightly organized. yThe simpler the organization, the better. zAn effective lecture, activity, or discussion does not stand on its own, but is clearly connected to other parts of the course, topic, or content.*

Speaking in Education Courses: Characteristics of Effective Classroom Presentations zUse examples and evidence the audience is familiar with and can grasp. yChoose examples closest to students’ experiences.*