30-mar-2009 lijiang-panda2009 ramjw1 good talks for everyone ralph wijers astronomical institute...

30-Mar-2009 Lijiang-Panda2009

RAMJW 1

Good Talks for Everyone

Ralph WijersAstronomical Institute `Anton Pannekoek’

University of Amsterdam


RAMJW 2

Overview

Preparation Content and goals in relation to type of talk Presentation (main focus) Final comments


RAMJW 3

Conclusions

Prepare Prepare Prepare!! Limitation marks the true master

- less=more Communication is the goal Anyone can give competent/OK talk

- by avoiding common mistakes


RAMJW 4

PREPARATION


RAMJW 5

Preparation

Who are your audience?– What do they know?– What do they need/want to learn?

How much time do you have? Time it!!! What is your main point?

– Make that point at least 3 times


RAMJW 6

Preparation - 2

Practice! Look at your slides from the back of room

with a bad projector Time your talk Speak slowly and articulate well

– Almost nobody is a native speaker– All versions of broken English are different


RAMJW 7

CONTENT&GOALS


RAMJW 8

Types of talk

Colloquium, Plenary talk at large meeting– 1 hour, general audience, MSc level

– Give intro on context and broad implications of topic, with reminder of basics, NOT just your own work

Seminar– 1 hour, more expert audience, PhD level (?)

– Not much context, more technical, BUT explain well

– Usually mostly your own work, with context


RAMJW 9

Types of talk 2

Review at specialist meeting– Usually 25-40min, moderately expert audience– NOT just your own work, overview/issues

Contributed talk at meeting– Usually 15min, moderately expert audience– Just your own work, mostly advertise– Make one point well

Gong/poster talk– Usually 1-5min, only advertise poster (!)


RAMJW 10

Goals

Your main goals:– Teach your audience something– Advertise your work (indirectly yourself)

• It IS an item on your CV, getting invited is an achievement

• So: important for your career, but now you need to do well!

– Would you ask yourself back?


RAMJW 11

Content

Your content:– It is hard to underestimate your audience

(not an insult! We all forget....) – For each thing you put in, ask ‘Why?’– ‘10% inspiration, 90% perspiration [sweat!]’


RAMJW 12

Structure of talk

Introduce yourself! And your co-workers Start with overview, and conclusion Introduce the topic Build your case End with clear conclusions


RAMJW 13

Equations

My latest key result:

t 01dx d ei(t-kx)f(ax,gt)C23(t-t’)[a†(t’)b(x)]=

b(t’)(x-ct) + h.o.t. ......

Really?


RAMJW 14

Equations

I(x,y) = ...... = ...... cst.|x-y|

Now explain – why this makes life simple– why is it important– what does it imply?

.... And explain it patiently!


RAMJW 15

PRESENTATION


RAMJW 16

Hard part, easy part

Hard part: demeanor, attitude

Easy part: make good slides (but ....)


RAMJW 17

Hard part: stage wisdom

Speak: – Slowly and with tone variation, articulate

– Show interest and enthusiasm

– Make eye contact with audience Gesture:

– Try not to be static, use hands and eyes

– Don’t be too restless, either

– Dress: can help

This takes practice, experience, confidence


RAMJW 18

‘Easy’ part: good slides

Always test all your slides Do not use too many slides

– ~1/minute is maximum, unless unusually simple Make sure everything on slide readable Keep it simple

And now some illustrations


RAMJW 19

Introduction to supernovae

Supernovae were first reported by the Chinese and Koreans in their reports of observations of the heavens

We now know they happen about once or twice per century in the Galaxy, but many are missed due to extinction

They result from the deaths of massive stars, probably with the lower mass limit for a supernova being 8-10 Msun

There are a number of types of supernova, classified on the basis of their spectra, which it turns out also points to different origins or explosion mechanisms


RAMJW 20

Introduction to supernovae

First reports: Chinese and Koreans Rate: 1-2/century in Galaxy Death of stars above 8-10 Msun Different spectral types, different origins

It is called ‘talk’ for a reason ...


RAMJW 21

About bad color choices

Good colour Bad color Good colourBad color

Bad or good colour? Bad color Bad color Good colour

Bad color ...... bad bad!@!


RAMJW 22

Fancy BackgroundsFancy Backgrounds Can be just wonderfulCan be just wonderful

But can you read all this text?But can you read all this text?


RAMJW 23

Fancy Backgrounds 2Fancy Backgrounds 2

What sometimes helps is to darken/lighten What sometimes helps is to darken/lighten the picturethe picture

Can you now read all this text?Can you now read all this text?


RAMJW 24

The Circus Slide

Uses many different fonts, colours, and pictures to EMPHASIZEEMPHASIZE thingsI did say circus, didn’t I?!

Tylenol, aspirine, anyone?


RAMJW 25

Graphs

A good graph can tell a long story fast...


RAMJW 26

Graphs 2


RAMJW 27

Tables


RAMJW 28

FINAL COMMENTS


RAMJW 29

Learning to learn

Like general relativity, lecturing is not easy, but smart and diligent people can learn

Learning takes effort, and (self)reflection When you hear/give a talk, think about

– Why did I (not) like it?– What was (not) good about it?

Help your colleagues - give feedback I gave advice - NOT rules - deviate with care


RAMJW 30

Conclusions

Prepare Prepare Prepare!! Limitation marks the true master

- less=more Communication is the goal Anyone can give competent/OK talk

- by avoiding common mistakes

30-mar-2009 lijiang-panda2009 ramjw1 good talks for everyone ralph wijers astronomical institute...

Documents