Earth Science SeminarM. D. Eastin Effective Public Speaking …and that is how earth scientists will...

Earth Science Seminar M. D. Eastin

Effective Public Speaking

…and that is how earth scientists

will solve everything!

This was an incredible

presentation

The science and methods

were explained very well

It was like the he was explaining it directly to

me



Four Important Steps

1. Understand your Goals!

2. Keep it Simple!

3. Be Prepared!

4. Unforgettable Delivery!


Understand Your AudienceWho are you speaking to?

Scientists at a conference or technical meeting?

Scientists a round-table discussion?

Clients or potential clients?

Colleagues in a meeting or board room?

The local rotary or environmental club?

High school students?

Elementary school classroom?


Understand Your AudienceWhat are their interests and prior knowledge or opinion?

Scientists at a conference or technical meeting?

Scientists a round-table discussion?

Clients or potential clients?

Colleagues in a meeting or board room?

The local rotary or environmental club?

High school students?

Elementary school classroom?


Keep it SimpleYou are the expert. Your audience is not.

Provide a few major points• Make your point early and often• Provide adequate information to explain each point• However, limit the details• Use visual aids that are simple and easy to understand• Example: Political campaign speeches

Use visual aids that are simple and easy to understand• Consider adapting and annotating figures from other resources to fit

with your presentation style or language

Bring your message to your audience’s level

Avoid using language or terms that may be unfamiliar to your audience


Be PreparedYou can not “over-prepare”

Use note cards, note pads, or have a monitor in view• Memorization is not required• However, do not read from your notes

Anticipate questions• Prepare a few extra visual aids

Keep you presentation on time

Orally rehearse your presentation several times• Video tape yourself• Give the presentation in the mirror• Give the presentation to colleagues, friends, or family

Provide handouts of any visual aids you may be using

Practice, Practice, Practice…


Unforgettable DeliveryDevelop an Effective Structure to your Presentation

Begin with something to get the audience’s attention• Strong introduction• Provide an early “wow” factor

Tie your points together with transitions and effective visual aids• Use phrases like “Next…” or “Now that we have talked about our methods,

let us move to our results”

Be Energetic• Vary the pace of your presentation (speed up and slow down)• Use pauses for emphasis• Example: MLK’s “I have a Dream…” speech

Tell you own story somewhere in your presentation• The audience wants a personal connection• Helps provide credibility that you are expert

Leave the audience with something to think about• Provide a final “wow” factor• Consider posing a final question to the audience


Unforgettable DeliveryDevelop an Effective Presentation Style

Become a sales-person!

Look at the audience when you speak• Provide a personal connection • Make sincere eye contact with all sections of the audience

Minimize distracting body language• Do not walk around or rock back and forth• Do not fiddle with something

Speak clearly and at an appropriate volume

Speak with conviction (convince your audience)

Consider using a touch of humor in your presentation• Tell a short embarrassing moment in your life• Avoid long jokes (this is not a stand-up routine)


Remember:

There is no “perfect” speaker…

Improvement only comes through practice…

Final Words of Wisdom:

Know your stuff.Know whom you’re stuffing.Know when they’re stuffed.


Earth Science SeminarM. D. Eastin Effective Public Speaking …and that is how earth scientists will...

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