Presenting and Narrating Talks for the Layman

[Indoctorate]

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After spending the last few months getting caught up by every tiny detail my PhD project has thrown at me, the news of talks was actually quite a relief. However, this next talk I had to give had a slight twist.

Usually, the talks I have given so far have been aimed at fellow PhD students. This next talk however, was to be presented to 15-18 year olds. In addition, instead of being there and presenting, I would have to narrate my talk and create a DVD for them to watch. A slight twist, I think you'll agree.

This really got me thinking, surely it couldn't be harder to talk to young teenagers in simple Layman's terms, rather than be grilled by eager PhD students.

Personally, I love the idea of starting off with a puzzle to get the audience thinking. Whether or not the audience is interested in your chosen subject, it will at least engage them into your talk. Attention span seems to be another big, mmm doughnuts.


Another question that played on my mind was whether I should change my voice to try and add enthusiasm. This would maybe not be as natural sounding, but then, I cringe at the mere thought of hearing my natural voice on the answer phone. I just doubt that without any injection of good old artificial fervour, people won't hear anything else but a voice droning on through an answer message.

Although, seeing as this is your chosen subject, the extra enthusiasm shouldn't be so much as artificial, more just forgotten. A PhD really does know how to sap that initial feeling of determination and amazement for your subject.

You can see this article to get my advice and thoughts on this. But, I would love to hear what everyone's thoughts and experiences are re: presenting and narrating to a younger audience.

 

[Indoctorate]

Speaking to the Layman also reminded me of this ...

Dr. Hibbert: Homer, I'm afraid you'll have to undergo a coronary bypass operation.
Homer: Say it in English, Doc.
Dr. Hibbert: You're going to need open heart surgery.
Homer: Spare me your medical mumbo-jumo.
Dr. Hibbert: We're going to cut you open and tinker with your ticker.
Homer: Could you dumb it down a shade?

 

[nothingman]

Speaking in broad strokes:

1) Offer opportunities for interaction - maybe a poll of the audience, etc.
2) Try to frame the problem in terms of something that fits into either their curriculum or better yet into their everyday life - i.e. - do you know someone who had disease x? What do you know about how it's treated?
3) Spend more time on background, as simple as possible
4) Much less time on experimental details since people likely won't know much about them; broad strokes. Emphasize scientific method since this is what this age group is taught about. Here was our hypothesis, here's how we tested it, and here's why our hypothesis was supported/refuted. Of course, lots of research is not done that way anymore but that's a different story...
5) Succinct conclusion: here's what we learned and how's here it may affect people's lives in the future (stretch far into future if need be 🙂)
6) Lots of visual cues that look cool. Have teacher or someone w/experience with this age group preview talk if possible.

Voice wise: whatever works for you. Expressive better than monotone, but probably not OVERLY expressive. Just focus on the content of your language and slides. Simple simple simple.

Good luck!

 

[Indoctorate]

Speaking in broad strokes:

1) Offer opportunities for interaction - maybe a poll of the audience, etc.
2) Try to frame the problem in terms of something that fits into either their curriculum or better yet into their everyday life - i.e. - do you know someone who had disease x? What do you know about how it's treated?
3) Spend more time on background, as simple as possible
4) Much less time on experimental details since people likely won't know much about them; broad strokes. Emphasize scientific method since this is what this age group is taught about. Here was our hypothesis, here's how we tested it, and here's why our hypothesis was supported/refuted. Of course, lots of research is not done that way anymore but that's a different story...
5) Succinct conclusion: here's what we learned and how's here it may affect people's lives in the future (stretch far into future if need be 🙂)
6) Lots of visual cues that look cool. Have teacher or someone w/experience with this age group preview talk if possible.

Voice wise: whatever works for you. Expressive better than monotone, but probably not OVERLY expressive. Just focus on the content of your language and slides. Simple simple simple.

Good luck!

Thanks very much for this advice! It is all very welcome as I'm currently writing this and panicking!

I think I've managed to get the slides down to a basic understanding, but I keep pausing through the recording! Maybe I should write out my talk in its entirety?

 

[PfNO22]

There's a show on WNYC (and other NPR/PRI affiliates) called Radio Lab. I think they really are an excellent example of science geared towards a lay audience as well as being incredibly well produced. Absolutely worth the listen.