Giving a Great Science Talk:
I. Vital Elements
Garrett Apuzen-Ito
Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, SOEST, University of Hawaii
Being an effective speaker is important:
• for anyone who has an opinion and cares if
others to understand it & agree with it.
• for anyone whose work needs to
communicated to others.
In SCIENCE speaking--like publishing--is part of
the process. Science is about making
discoveries and telling the world about it.
Giving a Great Science Talk
I. Vital Elements
Garrett Apuzen-Ito
Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, SOEST, University of Hawaii
AND BTW....
Being an effective speaker is important:
• for anyone who has an opinion and cares if
others to understand it & agree with it.
• for anyone whose work needs to
communicated to others.
In SCIENCE speaking--like publishing--is part of
the process. Science is about making
that was the “motivation”
discoveries and telling the world about it.
part of this talk.
Vitals & Key Ingredients
3 Categories:
I. Vital Elements
II. Mechanics of the
Presentation
III. Speaker Performance
Today’s Message is on the
I. Vitals Elements
(This is my talk outline & that was the “Introduction”)
I. Vitals Elements
FIRST AND FOREMOST: Your purpose is to…
Communicate,
Convince,
and Teach
WMDs!
audience
walks
away
understanding
ItIfisyour
essential
that
YOU
know
your main
your main points, gains new appreciation for
points. You should have 1-3 main
(or is convinced of) them, and remembers
points
noyour
more.
them, then
you’veand
done
job.
No matter how you do it (almost).
Now here’s
the main point
How Many Points Should You Make?
Generally … a “science-related” talk is organized as:
I. Motivate and Introduce the Topic/Points
II. Define Strategy and Concepts
III. Build Evidence, Points, & Ideas
IV. State Conclusions (1-3 main points)
}
Tell ‘em what
your gonna
tell ‘em
}
Tell them.
}
Tell ‘em what
you told ‘em
A more formal science research talk specifies:
I. Motivate & Introduce the Scientific
Questions, Problem, or Hypothesis, and
Outline Your talk
II. Strategy, Methods &/or Data
III. Results and Interpretations
IV. Conclusions
}
Tell ‘em what
your gonna
tell ‘em
}
Tell them.
}
Tell ‘em what
you told ‘em
This is the same format as a scientific paper
This is the same format as a scientific paper
(This is
my data)
This format follows from and communicates
the Scientific Method:
I. Motivate, Introduce
Scientce Questions,
Problem, or Hypothesis &
Outline Talk
II. Strategy/Methods/Data
III. Results/Interpretations
IV. Conclusions
This format represents a system of logical reasoning. An
underlying thread along which your story progresses.
I. Motivate & Introduce
Science Questions,
Problem, or Hypothesis &
Outline Talk
II. Strategy/Methods/Data
III. Results/Interpretations
IV. Conclusions
I. Motivate & Introduce the Question, Problem, or
Hypothesis, & Outline Your Talk (Communicate)
1st Your audience needs to
know WHY your talk is work
listening to.
“Tides are important because…”
2nd Your audience needs to
know precisely what
question, problem, or
hypothesis your addressing
3rd Outline your talk. i.e.,
tell you’re audience what
your going to tell them.
“The problem I’d like to address is…”
I. Motivate & Introduce the Question, Problem, Hypothesis &
Outline
II. Strategy, Methods &/or Data
This is when the strategy is
defined.
The type of data and method of
analysis is presented.
The strategy had better be
appropriate for addressing your
question/problem/hypothesis
“I will measure the level of high tide each day”
I. Motivate & Introduce the Question, Problem, or Hypothesis, &
Outline.
II. Data &/or Methods (aka Evidence & Information).
III. Results and Interpretations (CONVINCE)
Findings are presented. Graphs
show trends of data or outcomes
of analysis.
Logic and reasoning is clearly
spelled-out, and judgements are
made about the significanc of the
results.
“Monday the tide covered the rock
Tuesday it reached the tree
Tomorrow…. Uhm, can you swim?”
I. Motivate & Introduce the Question, Problem, or Hypothesis, &
Outline
II. Data &/or Methods (aka Evidence & Information).
III. Results and Interpretations
IV. Conclusions (TEACH)
Recap and clearly state your 1-3
points.
“Got it??”
This structure and the theme you establish
Transforms a random bunch of (albeit jewels of) information
I. Motivate & Introduce the
Science Questions,
Problem, or Hypothesis, &
Outline Talk
into a organized work of art.
II. Strategy/Methods/Data
III. Results/Interpretations
IV. Conclusions
They are the thread that ties all the
pieces together
Tell a Story. Take your Audience on an Adventure
•Take your audience from a starting point (point A),
•lead them step-by-step
•along your journey of discovery to your conclusions
(point B)
I. Motivate & Introduce the
B
Science Questions,
Problem, or Hypothesis, &
Outline Talk
II. Strategy/Methods/Data
III. Results/Interpretations
IV. Conclusions
A
Tell a Story. Take your Audience on an Adventure
•Take your audience from a starting point (point A),
•lead them step-by-step
•along your journey of discovery to your conclusions
(point B)
I. Motivate, Introduce,
B
Outline
II. Strategy & Concepts
III. Evidence/Points/Ideas
IV. Your conclusions
A
Giving a Great Science Talk
I. Vital Elements
I. Your purpose is to communicate, convince, and teach
If your audience walks away understanding your main points, gains new
appreciation for (or is convinced of) them, and remembers them, then
you’ve done your job.
Now here’s
the main point
II. The scientific format and theme you build
brings your audience on a journey of
scientific deduction and discovery
I. Motivate, Introduce, Outline
II. Strategy/Concepts
III. Evidence/Points/Ideas
IV. Your Conclusions