1. How to give a technical talk
David A. B. Miller
Stanford University
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University

2. David Miller, Stanford University
Summary
How to organize your talk
Tips for your viewgraphs
How to practice and present your talk
Anyone can give a good talk!
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University

3. Organizing your talk - content
what do I put in the talk?
what is the “30 second version” of your talk (the “elevator speech”)?
put in the material that leads up to and supports this
you should always be able to give the 30 second version of your talk
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University

4. Organizing your talk - time
how do I make my talk fit into the time?
do not put in too many viewgraphs
you will not get through more than 1 viewgraph per minute at most
take material out or simplify what you will say
while still supporting your 30-second version
do not simply talk faster!
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University

5. Organizing your talk - structure
how do I structure the talk?
overall structure
tell them what you’ll tell them
summary
tell them it
the body of the talk
tell them what you’ve told them
conclusions
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University

6. Organizing your talk - story
the talk should not be a “stamp collection”
i.e., a mere collection of facts with no plot
think of the body of the talk as a story
the flow of a story will
hold the attention of your audience
make it easier for you to remember what you wanted to say
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University

7. Technical points for viewgraphs
you should be able to read everything on the viewgraph from a distance of ~ 7 times the size of the viewgraph
don’t make your writing too small
otherwise the people at the back of the room cannot see it
If you have to make your writing very small,
you have too much on the viewgraph anyway
be very careful with “color-on-color” writing
simple dark text on a clear (white) background works well in all lighting and projection conditions
red on blue or blue on red are particularly bad
your viewgraph should be clear and uncluttered
do not put too much on one viewgraph
the audience will not take it in anyway
red on blue
blue on red
Your message should be clear from the viewgraph even if you never say a word
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University

8. Style points for viewgraphs
try to avoid making all of your viewgraphs just bulleted lists
use pictures and graphic objects to help make points
use animations, special effects, or (especially!) jokes very sparingly
only use them if they help make the talk clearer
do not try to make your talk “flashy”
that will only distract from your message
use the core story to make the talk interesting
“KISS” principle
“keep it simple, stoopid!”
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University

9. How to present your talk – basic technique
make eye contact
this establishes a bond between you and your audience and holds their interest
do not read your talk
remember the story of your talk, and the words will follow
your viewgraphs will remind you of the story
speak clearly, slowly enough, and loudly enough
talk to the person at the back of the room
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University

10. How to present your talk - manner
never be, or feel, apologetic about your talk
the audience want to hear it, otherwise they would not be there
be enthusiastic about your own talk
if you are not interested in it, no one else will be!
don’t worry about being nervous!
don’t panic
take time to gather your thoughts if you need to
take a deep breath, and go on
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University

11. David Miller, Stanford University
Practicing your talk
practice the talk in front of a mirror, looking at yourself in the mirror
this prevents you from reading the talk,
it gets you used to making eye contact
it may reveal any possibly distracting mannerisms
give the talk many times to yourself
the words for the talk will then start to flow naturally
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University

12. David Miller, Stanford University
Conclusions
Organize your talk
to support the 30-second version of your message
to give a clear story that the audience will follow
Your viewgraphs should
be clear and simple, interesting but not “flashy”
Practice by giving the talk many times to yourself, with a mirror
When you give the talk
speak as if to the person at the back of the room
let the story drive your words
have fun and be enthusiastic!!!!
4/10/2019
David Miller, Stanford University