ASU EarthScope Seminar Presentation Guidelines
Primary goal: The goal of paper presentations and leading discussions is to provide you with an opportunity to synthesize a scientific paper and present the results to a group. Apart from writing scientific papers, this is the most important form of communication for a scientist. I recognize that public speaking is difficult for many people; this exercise is meant to make you more comfortable presenting research in front of a (friendly!) audience.
Overview: The presenter is primarily responsible for the presentation and discussion of the day’s paper, but everyone is expected to read the paper, be prepared to ask questions, and participate in the discussion. Everyone will take a turn at being responsible for a paper. The order of presentations will be on a volunteer basis, but if no one is willing to volunteer, I’ll randomly select someone to present the paper. If you have questions about the paper, please do not hesitate to discuss it with me (before the class meets, of course)!
You will be evaluated on organization, clarity, preparation, use of visual aids, and how you lead the discussion. I am most interested in the effort you apply to leading the presentation and discussion, regardless of your level of expertise with the subject.
Suggestions for presentations (~5 minutes):
- Begin with a synopsis or outline of the key points of the paper, and provide the rest of the class with a written version of this synopsis or outline. Focus on the key points:
- Data
- Interpretation
- Implications
- Show important figures from the paper and annotate as necessary. Include applicable information from other reading or lectures to emphasize key points.
- Summarize major results and how they relate to the bigger picture western U.S. structure and dynamics.
- Practice your presentation! Ask your classmates to sit in on a practice run – they can provide valuable feedback and give you a chance to work the kinks out in front of a friendly group.
- Relax and have fun! These discussions are NOT meant to be oral exams; they are only meant to provide a basis for a class discussion of the paper and related topics.
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