(P#4) Job #4 is analytical writing on a topic of your
choice for oral presentation for something like a "Coffee or Conversation"
session, or for a "Brown Bag" luncheon. This must be a report written
out in full, not just an outline for giving a talk. In other words, you
have to (1) write, and (2) give a speech.
For Paper #4 choose your own topic, or write on one of the topics listed
below. Review Ch. 43 of The New St. Martin's Handbook, "Writing
a Research Essay."
Version #1 for Audience #1:
Your main audience for the written version of your talk
should be a lay audience such as a non-technical audience attending
a typical "Coffee and Conversation" session held at the Duluth Depot
or a "brown-bag" lunch at UMD.
- The written version is due is due at the end of Week
12. Class presentations will be Week
13 and Week 14.
- Version #1 of this work must be written out and handed in. You
may not submit only an outline as your Version #1 assignment.
- Length: 10 minute presentation (including question / answers)
- The written version of your presentation is due at the end of Week
12
(12% of your grade, or 24 points of a possible ca. 200 points).
- Information about Handing
in Your Paper
- You must also prepare a press release for your talk,
- including a 100-150 word abstract
of your speech.
Version #2 for Audience #2 (Class Presentation):
- You also need to make a ten-minute in-class presentation
of your talk.
- Ten-minute in-class presentations will be Days 25 - 28 (Week
13 and Week 14).
- For the in-class ten-minute version of your talk you may use an
outline.
- You do not have to hand in the materials you use for your in-class
presentation.
- Your in-class presentation will be evaluated, but not graded
beyond P / N
Suggestions for your Analytical Class Presentation:
- Start fast. State your thesis early, and often.
- Example: "We need to understand the causes of riots in order to
prevent riots."
- Be mindful of your audience.
- Be mindful of your purpose.
- Be careful not to overuse pronouns. For an oral presentation it
is better to repeat the subject.
- For example, instead of saying something
like, "Reactionary methods do not prevent problems, it only allows
them to fester and blow up in our face," you might say, "Reactionary
methods do not prevent problems. Reactionary methods only allow problems
to fester and blow up in our face."
- Keep the structure (outline) simple. Often it is helpful to organize
using numbers.
- For example, you might say, "You can take five
stepts to avoid riots. One. . . . Two. . . . Three. . . . Four. .
. . Five. . . ."
- Use verbal transitions frequently.
- Speak slowly. And loudly.
- Have someone else introduce you.
- Use effective visual aids, including maps.
- Integrate them into your presentation.
- Define technical terms.
- Don't read your speech.
- Look at your audience, with confidence.
- Mention and reply to relevant objections.
- If appropriate, make plain the need for action:
- Answer the question, "Exactly what is the problem?" (¶ #1)
- Work on the paragraph explaining who the problem affects. (¶ #2)
- Write one paragraph explaining why the problem needs a solution
now. Why can't it wait? (¶ #3)
- Write a list of solutions/resolutions that are possible for
your problem.
- List as best you can the reasons for and the objections
to each.
- Use two columns.
- List pros in one column, cons in the
other. (¶ #4)
- Work on the paragraph outlining who can do something about the
problem? (¶ #5)
- Back up your arguent(s) with good reasoning and good data and evidence.
- Allow time for questions, and invite them enthusiastically.
See also:
|