How to give a technical talk
David A. B. Miller
Stanford University
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
1
Summary
How to organize your talk
Tips for your viewgraphs
How to practice and present your talk
Anyone can give a good talk!
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
2
Organizing your talk - content
what do I put in the talk?
• what is the “30 second version” of
your talk (the “elevator speech”)?
– put in the material that leads up
to and supports this
you should always be able to give the 30
second version of your talk
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
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Organizing your talk - time
how do I make my talk fit into the time?
• do not put in too many viewgraphs
– you will not get through more than 1
viewgraph per minute at most
• take material out or simplify what you will say
– while still supporting your 30-second version
• do not simply talk faster!
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
4
Organizing your talk - structure
how do I structure the talk?
• overall structure
– tell them what you’ll tell them
• summary
– tell them it
• the body of the talk
– tell them what you’ve told them
• conclusions
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
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Organizing your talk - story
the talk should not be a “stamp collection”
• i.e., a mere collection of facts with no
plot
think of the body of the talk as a story
• the flow of a story will
– hold the attention of your
audience
– make it easier for you to
remember what you wanted to
say
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
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Technical points for viewgraphs
you should be able to read everything on the viewgraph
from a distance of ~ 7 times the size of the viewgraph
don’t make your writing too small
otherwise the people at the back of the room cannot see it
If you have to make your writing very small,
you have too much on the viewgraph anyway
be very careful with “color-on-color” writing
• simple dark text on a clear (white) background
works well in all lighting and projection conditions
• red on blue or blue on red are particularly bad
red on blue
blue on red
your viewgraph should be clear and uncluttered
• do not put too much on one viewgraph
– the audience will not take it in anyway
Your message should be clear from the
viewgraph even if you never say a word
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
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Style points for viewgraphs
try to avoid making all of your viewgraphs just bulleted lists
• use pictures and graphic objects to help make points
use animations, special effects, or (especially!) jokes very
sparingly
• only use them if they help make the talk clearer
do not try to make your talk “flashy”
• that will only distract from your message
use the core story to make the talk interesting
“KISS” principle
• “keep it simple, stoopid!”
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
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How to present your talk – basic technique
make eye contact
• this establishes a bond between you and your
audience and holds their interest
do not read your talk
• remember the story of your talk, and the words will
follow
– your viewgraphs will remind you of the story
speak clearly, slowly enough, and loudly enough
• talk to the person at the back of the room
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
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How to present your talk - manner
never be, or feel, apologetic about your talk
• the audience want to hear it, otherwise they would
not be there
be enthusiastic about your own talk
• if you are not interested in it, no one else will be!
don’t worry about being nervous!
• don’t panic
– take time to gather your thoughts if you need to
– take a deep breath, and go on
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
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Practicing your talk
practice the talk in front of a mirror, looking at
yourself in the mirror
• this prevents you from reading the talk,
• it gets you used to making eye contact
• it may reveal any possibly distracting
mannerisms
give the talk many times to yourself
• the words for the talk will then start to flow
naturally
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
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Conclusions
Organize your talk
• to support the 30-second version of your message
• to give a clear story that the audience will follow
Your viewgraphs should
• be clear and simple, interesting but not “flashy”
Practice by giving the talk many times to yourself, with a mirror
When you give the talk
• speak as if to the person at the back of the room
• let the story drive your words
• have fun and be enthusiastic!!!!
7/1/2016
David Miller, Stanford University
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