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Define
the purpose of your session
Why did you pick
this topic? What do you want others to learn from your
session? Knowing what you intend to communicate sets
the stage for all other steps in planning. To define
your purpose, complete the following sentences:
* The purpose of this session
is:
* When the session is over,
I want the audience to know [or do]:
Identify
your audience
Once you have
defined what you want people to learn or to do in your
session (Tip 1), you have taken the first step toward
identifying your audience. To complete the process,
list the different people (educators, exhibit designers,
marketers, and so on) who will benefit from your session.
List the specific ways in which they will benefit.
Pick
your session title
Most people get
their first impression of your session from its title
in the conference program. That title must catch the
reader's attention and create a mental picture of what
will happen in the session. Some writers take a two-part
approach, using a short, vivid phrase followed by an
explanatory subtitle ("Chasing Pegasus: Blending Science
and the Humanities in Science Centers"). Others go with
a more direct description ("Getting Results from Media
Promotions"). Either way, test your title on friends
and colleagues to be sure they understand what you are
promising to deliver.
Write
your program description
The role of the
program description is not merely to attract an audience,
but to attract an audience interested in what you have
to offer. An audience of 200 that expects one thing
and gets another can turn hostile rather quickly, but
an audience of 10 eager to learn what you have to impart
will make your session a huge success. To attract the
correct audience, your description must be clear, concise
and accurate. Many program descriptions are rewritten
in the months before Conference, so don't be concerned
if the planning committee asks you to revise your first
attempt.
Choose
your audiovisual aids
Well-thought-out
audiovisuals not only present information but also add
color and drama to your session and help you stick to
your outline. Here are a few tips for choosing your
aids:
*
Keep it simple. Audiovisual elements should enhance
your presentation, not be your presentation.
* Allow time for reading.
An audience that is reading a new overhead is not listening
to you. Wait for everyone to absorb the information
displayed before you begin speaking.
* Design audiovisuals for
the back row. Make sure all elements can be seen or
heard clearly in every part of the room.
Practice,
practice, practice
Every conference
session, even a hands-on workshop, requires some form
of verbal presentation. If this aspect of the process
makes you nervous, you're not alone. Very few people
are natural speakers. It takes practice to put thoughts
into clear, concise phrases without stumbling over the
words, and to coordinate a presentation with audiovisual
aids to produce a smooth, professional result.
Here are some
pointers to help you get over those on-stage butterflies:
*
Practice out loud. Imagine you are speaking to a live
audience. Saying the words out loud helps to coordinate
the brain and the mouth, a task that is more difficult
than people realize.
* Practice often. The twentieth
time you give a presentation will be much better than
the first. Why subject your audience to your first effort?
* Practice with your audiovisuals.
Don't wait till the last minute to introduce your aids.
Coordinating their use from the start will make for
a smooth, professional session.
* Don't read your speech.
Talk to your listeners as if you were speaking to each
person individually. They are much more likely to pay
attention.
* Use cheat sheets. An
outline, flash cards, or graphics can help you keep
your place without spoiling the spontaneity of your
presentation.
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