ARS | Publication request: The Gestalt of Performing: An Eclectic Guide to Successful Oral Presentations

Submitted to: Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: July 31, 2005
Publication Date: August 7, 2005
Citation: Vandenberg, J.D. 2005. The gestalt of performing: an eclectic guide to successful oral presentations [abstract]. Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting. 38:68.

Technical Abstract: How many times have you wanted to shout ¿Speak louder, please?¿ Or has that been shouted and what came next were a few words you could understand followed by a quick return to mumbling? How often are you distracted by an untied shoelace? Or a stain on a shirt? Gone dizzy trying to follow a peripatetic pointer? Gotten drowsy listening to repeated ¿uh¿s and ¿um¿s? Felt like a speaker was talking to the screen, preaching at his/her data? There are countless aspects of making a successful presentation. I will try to identify a few of the key elements and give advice on how best to overcome common problems. Presentations are performances. You assume a certain character and present rehearsed information to a willing audience. Though they may not have had to show their tickets at the door, your audience members certainly paid to be there. So give them their money¿s worth! Preparation for your performance should include a certain amount of script writing, several rehearsals, costume design and make-up (or not!). During your show you will have to deal with lighting and sound. Your performance will need to be clearly seen and heard (and understood!). From pointer management to microphone mania. From elocution to elucidation. By conceiving of your oral presentation in performance terms, you can improve its impact and effectively communicate your exciting results.