Push through the Challenge: Strategies for Showcasing Your Research Findings
In the realm of academic pursuits, the Mary W. George Freshman Research Conference presents a unique platform for students to share their final open-ended research papers for Freshman Writing Seminar students with a wider audience. One such student, Ellie Breitfeld, Natural Sciences Correspondent, embarked on the challenging journey of condensing a lengthy research paper into a concise, engaging 10-minute presentation.
To ensure the adaptation of a detailed, academic argument for a more popular audience, Ellie sought guidance from her writing seminar professor and the Writing Center. The resulting article, published in both "The Writing Process" and "Research-based Courses," offers valuable insights into the process of transforming a paper into a presentation.
The key to crafting an effective presentation, Ellie discovered, lies in simplifying and prioritizing key content, creating clear and engaging visuals, and tailoring language to non-experts. Here are some practical steps to follow:
- Identify the core message: Pick one main idea or finding to highlight, rather than attempting to cover all details. This helps maintain focus and clarity.
- Structure your presentation: A brief introduction setting context and importance, a concise overview of methods, key results, and a clear conclusion or implication.
- Use simple, jargon-free language: To make your topic accessible to a broader audience unfamiliar with technical terms.
- Apply the 7x7 rule for slides: Limit each slide to 7 bullet points with no more than 7 words each, to keep slides readable and focused on main ideas.
- Use visual aids effectively: Include relevant images, charts, or diagrams that support and clarify your points without overcrowding the slide.
- Practice delivering your presentation confidently: Using gestures and pacing to engage your audience.
- Double-check your facts and be prepared to explain your research clearly and accurately.
By following these guidelines, Ellie was able to select concise content that answered the questions of why the research is important, what was her approach, what are her main findings, and what is the broader relevance or takeaway. Aiming for about 1-2 minutes per section, she kept the overall timing strictly within 10 minutes. Rehearsing her talk aloud helped refine timing and identify parts to trim for clarity and impact.
Fresh eyes, whether one's own after some time away from the research or others, are valuable assets when presenting research to a wider audience. Getting feedback from friends or unfamiliar individuals during the presentation process can help identify areas of confusion and potential over-detailing or lack of context.
By adhering to these principles, Ellie Breitfeld successfully navigated the challenge of converting a 10 to 15-page paper into a compelling 10-minute talk for the Mary W. George Freshman Research Conference, striking a balance between technical accuracy and accessibility.
The process of transforming a research paper into a compelling presentation emphasizes simplifying and focusing on key content, creating clear visual aids, and using language that is accessible to a broader audience. (learning, education-and-self-development, personal-growth)
By efficiently identifying the core message and structuring the presentation, Ellie Breitfeld managed to strike a balance between technical accuracy and accessibility, showcasing her personal growth and skill in education and self-development. (education-and-self-development, personal-growth, learning)
