Post on 30-May-2018
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How to give a Seminar Talk
Daniel Kroening
ETH Zrich
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Why?
So your Professor does not get embarrassed!
Its 50% ofthe grade!
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Outline
Organization of a talk
Common pitfalls
Fonts, Colors, Diagrams
Number of slides?
How to talk
About this seminar Contents
Topics
Administrative stuff
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Content
Goal: present research results
Think of the audience!
Knows foundations of computer science
Does not know specific research
Focus on concepts, not details!
Point out advantages/disadvantages
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Organization of a Talk
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Giving the Talk
Allow at least two minutes per slide
Not enough time? Cut it!
Keep introduction and motivation short
Use less than a minute on outline
Use time for complex topics instead
Repeat if really important
Use examples
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Slide Layout
Keep it simple!
Use Diagrams Try to keep it in one line
Many topics cannot be explained fully with a few bullets. In suchsituations, one is frequently tempted to write a full definition oftheproblem, usually in a very small font, which is read aloud whilelooking atthe slide when giving the talk. Instead ofthis, a diagramtogether with a few key words would always be more suited toshowing the context, which can then be elaborated on in more detailorally, in the talk.
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Feathers
Stubby
Brown
Told to leave town
Low self esteem
Does as istold
Ugly Duckling Syndrome
Diagrams
Essential
Depends on
purpose
Hardware Software
Equipment Type
N
eed
General Office Equipment
TOO FANCYTOO FANCY TOO ANNOYINGTOO ANNOYING
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Diagrams
Think aboutthe people in the back row!
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Structural Figures
Betterthan long text
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Formulas
Use only when needed
Use descriptive variable names
Powerpoint equation editor is bad Consider Latex + Acrobat Reader
Consider Texpoint
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Colors
Avoid too many colors
LCD Projector
Background colors:
Yellow, orange, green, light blue
Text colors:
Blue, magenta, red, dark green
Avoid distracting bitmap backgrounds
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About this Seminar
Topics:
Power consumption
Timing
Verification
40-45 Minutes for each talk
English
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About this Seminar
Papers:
We have a selection
You will pick next week
(see webpage ~Wednesday)
But feel free to suggest one
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Administrative Things
We will give you plenty of time to prepare
You MUST email draft of slides to assistant
one week before talk
You should meet with me or assistant
Grading:
We consider difficulty level of paper Presentation (slides, talk)
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Presentation Skills
Presentation skills will be graded
Thus, must attend Bertrand Meyers class
on how to give technical talks
Mark your calendars:28 November, 15:15-16:30
Room will be announced