Rate this:

This is a small rant directed towards conference presenters.  I don’t rant often, but this really drives me nuts (Note: Yesterday, I went to the North East Regional Meeting for the Society of Biblical Literature).  However, I hope that this rant comes across as constructive.

The Time LIMIT is not a suggestion

It is likely that the paper that you handed in for a grade is not the appropriate length for a presentation.  A 30 page paper (heck, a 20 page paper) can not be read well in 15 minutes.  A presenter is allotted 10-15 minutes to speak.  That means that you can only talk for 10-15 minutes.  That means you are not allowed to speak for 16, 17 or even 18 minutes!  You were made aware of this constraint well in advance.  Heed it!

I am hammering this point, because the limit is too often treated as a suggestion.  One presenter spoke for 15 minutes and was cut off by the moderator, only to then spend another 3.5 minutes summarizing his conclusion before leaving the table (actually, he read his conclusion word for word.  He did not bother with a summary).  This behavior is not fair for the presenters that are following your over loquacious monologue.

I don’t know you, why should I trust you?

Don’t tell your audience that an integral piece of your argument is too lengthy and confusing to summarize it, and that you must skip over it in order to finish within 15 minutes.  Along with this point don’t tell us to “trust you” because your argument is cogent and airtight.  I don’t trust you enough to take your word for it (I likely don’t even know you).  I also feel like I am missing out on something.  I feel cheated.  Don’t make me feel cheated.

If you can’t lead me through your argument in the allotted time, then this is not the venue for your particular paper.  If you can’t do this, then I am assuming two things.  Firstly, you have not thought enough about your presentation, because you are trying to squeeze too much information into it.  Secondly, you are likely not thinking about your audience.  I am glad that you are convinced of your argument, but we have not put the same amount of time into this topic as you have.  If your argument is too involved that you can’t lead your listeners through it in the allotted time, please don’t present.  If you can’t narrow the scope of your discussion to fit the allotted time, then turn your paper into an article or wait until nationals for a longer speaking time.

Think about your presentation, not just your paper.

Papers are not presentations.  Let me repeat, papers are not presentations.  You may have received a wonderful grade or feedback on the paper you are preparing to read, but that does mean that it is presentation ready.  Think about how you want to present your paper.

Some advice on this last point:

• • Eye contact is important.
  • Rehearse your presentation in the mirror.
  • Know how to pronounce the words in your own paper.  Everyone flubs up from time to time, that is part of presenting.  However, I should not get the impression that this was your first time reading your paper out loud.
  • Handouts make most everything better.  They allow your listener the opportunity to follow your argument.  And if for no other reason, handouts provide us with a place to make notes and comments about the content of your presentation.
  • Try to relax!  Getting up in front of a crowd can be nerve racking.  You could always think of them naked if that helps.  However, that can get pretty creepy, and could induce nausea.  So forget that last tip.  However, take a couple of deep breaths and begin; it is likely you have thought about this topic more than anyone else in the room.

Presentations are an opportunity for you to share what you are passionate about, your research.  By not thinking of these areas, mentioned above, you are telling your audience that you don’t care enough about your ideas to present them with clarity.  You are also telling your audience that you don’t care about them.

I hope that this rant was helpful.  I know I feel better for sharing it.

(Adam gets off soapbox and goes back to his Aramaic)

Advertisement