Workshop 2:

Preparing for the Confirmation

Oral Presentation

Workshop Outline

Introduction

Clarifying the task

Assessing your readiness

Designing the content for oral delivery

Technical considerations

Developing a confident and engaging delivery style

Focusing on clarity

Anticipating and responding to questions

Preparation checklist and closure

The workshop will explore:

Skills

Attitude

Knowledge

Awareness

The confirmation process

Ensures that:

the research questions and direction are sound

the methodologies are appropriate

the project is viable within the timeframe

the resources are available

the supervisor/s are appropriate

the candidate has the requisite skills

the standard of writing is satisfactory

the research has the potential to contribute knowledge

The oral presentation component

Follows submission of the written and detailed research

report which has been distributed ahead to the Panel

members.

Consists of a 20-minute oral presentation exploring the

research undertaken to date, and the anticipated direction

of the research program. This can be an open seminar or a

closed presentation, depending on the department*.

Includes a 20-minute Q & A following the presentation.

The Panel convenes directly after the presentation and then

provides feedback to the candidate on both the oral

presentation and the written submission.

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What are the benefits?

A platform for candidates to receive valuable feedback,

guidance and direction from experienced peers.

An important milestone which enables the candidate to

demonstrate achievements and potential.

A supportive environment for the development of academic

presentation skills and professional identity.

An opportunity to identify and remedy any potential flaws or

difficulties which could impede successful completion.

A means to ground and solidify the project

Validation of the worth of the project to the field

Who will be on the Panel?

At least three members

Including the main supervisor

Including another senior academic staff member who is at

least broadly knowledgeable in the field.

May include an external member

The Convenor of the panel cannot be the supervisor and

should have extensive experience in supervising doctoral

candidates.

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What can the Panel recommend?

Confirmation of the candidature

Extension of the probationary candidature to a specified

date with specified requirements

Conversion of the candidature to a Masters by Research,

Termination of the candidature

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Activity 1: Assessing your readiness

,

Reshaping the content

Draw on and select from the written submission

Adjust and organise the content for oral delivery

Approximately 2000 spoken words - depending on speed

Broad structure Introduction A brief opening statement to greet the panel and explain

how you will proceed.

Thesis Statement Including the title, subject of analysis, argument and

approach. What is the critical issue or research question?

Why is it valuable and interesting? At least one sentence

should begin with – This thesis will… or, I will argue that...

Rationale How does the project relate to the present state of

knowledge in the field? What niche or gap does it address?

What contribution do you intend to make the existing body

of work? What are the key texts? Contextualise the project

in relation to the appropriate literature.

Methodology

Closure

What are the main theoretical perspectives and

methodological approaches which will be used, critiqued or

adapted? How do you plan to select and organise your

material and structure it to address critical issues and key

concepts?

A brief concluding statement, welcoming questions.

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Some content considerations

Audience

Focus on engaging the panel’s interest. What do they need to know to understand your project? Assume no prior knowledge.

Coherence

How will you move your audience through the stages of your presentation so that it is balanced? For example - introduce, signpost and link using words as well as voice (intonation, stress and pausing)

Language

Spoken rather than written text. Don’t read! Concentrate on communicating. Can you confidently pronounce all key terms, names, jargon?

Some technical considerations

PowerPoint – friend or foe?

Technology – Be prepared! Know the room and set up. Back up your

presentation. Practise.

Death by PowerPoint – Don Macmillan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpvgfmEU2Ck

Minimise text and don’t read every word.

Spell check!

Avoid excessive use of bullets.

Avoid crowded, detailed charts and diagrams and animations.

White space is most effective.

Don’t use PowerPoint as your crutch. Communicate with your audience.

Focus on oral delivery

Activity 2: Discussion

What are the skills required for an effective oral

presentation?

Which is most important?

Oral Presentation audience

awareness

posture eye contact

intonation

voice

quality

pace and speed

stress and

emphasis

clarity

volume

energy and

enthusiasm

appropriateness gesture

pronunciation

accuracy

http://www.talkingpeople.net/tp/languages/worldeng.html

Many standard Englishes

Clarity, stress and intonation

Pronunciation – Know how comprehensible you are. Record yourself and

seek feedback.

Focus on stress and emphasis

- Stress within words e.g.. electricity

- Stress on content words versus function words

Activity*

Please call Stella. Ask her to bring these things with her from the

store: Six spoons of fresh snow peas, five thick slabs of blue cheese, and

maybe a snack for her brother Bob. We also need a small plastic snake

and a big toy frog for the kids. She can scoop these things into three red

bags, and we will go meet her Wednesday at the train station.

http://accent.gmu.edu/browse_language.php?function=detail&speakerid=145

Some final points The three ‘E’s

You have earned the right to present

You are eager to share the information

Convey your enthusiasm

1. Practise - Alone and with an audience, Seek feedback

and record your voice. Use notes but do not read. Learn

but don’t memorise. Timing matters.

1. Assert yourself – Posture and Presence

2. Make contact with the audience – eye contact, gesture,

acknowledgement through language

3. Voice – volume, pace, emphasis (stress)

Responding to questions

Anticipate likely questions and practise responding.

Be open to new ways of thinking about your work.

Clarify if you do not understand.

Take time to formulate your response.

Accept constructive criticism gracefully.

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Want to know more?

4 October 2012 20

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