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WS2004/2005

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