1. How to Give a Talk
Stephen Gilbert
June 29, 2017
Gilbert, 2017

2. You’ll be giving a talk…
Wed, July 12 to USC ICT’s REU site on interactive virtual experiences: You talk in teams of 3.
Gilbert, 2017

3. Doesn’t talking come naturally?
No.
It can be scary.
It can be boring, even soporific.
Gilbert, 2017

4. Doesn’t talking come naturally?
No.
It can be scary.
It can be boring, even soporific.
Practice
Technique
Gilbert, 2017

5. What are you trying to tell to your audience?
You’re a passionate analytical authority.
Oh, and by the way…
Your message.
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6. Messages
Please have 1-3 messages to convey. Each could be said in 30 seconds.
Facebook Participation Increases Isolation Within Rural Communities.
Our method of usability testing using bluetooth is better than existing methods.
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7. Non-Useful Messages
I’m running out of time. I’m sorry… I did this, and this, and this, and that.
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8. Typical Talk Outline
What’s the problem? (Hook!) What have you done about it? (big picture) How are you different than other people? What did you do really? (details) How did you solve the problem?
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9. Sample outline with slide counts
Title/author/affiliation (1 slide) Motivation and Problem Statement (1-2) Why should anyone care? Outline of talk (1) Suggest you have an innovative solution Related Work (0-1) Cover superficially or omit; what have others tried? Methods / Results / Major Points (4-6) What did you do? What happened? Do not superficially cover all details; cover key points well. No big data. Conclusion (1) Backup Slides (0-3)
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10. Don’t delay the message
Worse
Better
First, there was the mouse. Then other interfaces… I’m working on the iPhone… My contribution is…
A problem to be solved is… My contribution is… Why does this matter? First there was the mouse…
Build
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11. Story Arc with Signposting
Level of audience interest
What’s the problem?
What’s the goal of this talk?
Where are we headed next?
Background – How does this help me?
Example 1
Are we there yet?
Time
Example 2
Are we there yet?
Example 3
Are we there yet? YES!
Summary
Implications, Next steps, Save the world
Thank you. Questions?
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12. An effective talk must:
Communicate arguments and evidence Persuade your audience they’re true Be interesting and entertaining
What’s that mean?
From Paul Edwards’ How to Give an Academic Talk
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13. Tips
From
Paul Edwards’ How to Give an Academic Talk
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14. Tips for your Voice puh! tuh! kuh! Breathe right (from gut, not chest)
When you inhale, your stomach should push out.
puh! tuh! kuh!
Loud and deep
Silence
Repeat phrases
Stand up… we're going to try it now!
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15. Tips for your Body
Dancing (stand on a plastic bag) Speed Where to stand Eye contact and engagement
Slide inspired by Leslie Potter
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16. Learn from Great Speakers
TED Talks (ted.com) Ignite talks (igniteTalks.io) Open University on iTunes U And from bad ones
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17. Slide Advice PowerPoint Keynote Prezi Google Docs Slide Rocket Impress…
David Byrne
Human-Computer Interaction by Dix, Finley, Abowd & Beale (2004)
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18. Less is more
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19. Conscious decision
Right now, Should they look at me or the screen? Do my words need any visual aid?
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20. Gilbert, 2017

21. Sometimes… Good: Short, short bullet points
Next best: Headline, no bullets
Best: Just a picture, chart
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22. Privacy: in public vs. private
Expectations of privacy depend on:
Context
Ease of access to data
The person
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23. Privacy: in public vs. private
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24. Gilbert, 2017

25. Another Example
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26. Do you like your birthday gift?
Hello, Grandma?
Yes, hello Marco!
Do you like your birthday gift?
Why, yes, I do!
The new iPhone is so cool!
I just jailbroke it and
installed Linux on it.
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27. Pedestrian Deaths
Highest in Florida
Lowest in Delaware
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28. Last tips Use a remote control. Avoid giving a demo live.
Don’t look at the screen (your back’s to the audience).
Don’t read your slides.
Do look at someone.
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29. Sum Up
Passion & Style, not just content Tight messages Tell a story – Signposting!
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30. Improv Activity
Get in pairs. Each pair draws a topic from the cup. Each pair has 6 minutes to prepare a 3-minute talk where both speak. Your outline: Here’s a problem, 2-3 solutions Listening pair gives feedback: 2 min
6 min
3 min
2 min
3 min 2…
Gilbert, 2017