Rethinking Presentations In Engineering And Science Assertio

Rethinking Presentations in Engineering and Science Assertion-Evidence Approach for Presentations in Engineering and Science

In engineering and science, most presentations are not nearly as successful as they could be. The biggest problem is that most presenters follow PowerPoint's defaults of a phrase headline supported by a bulleted list. A much more effective strategy for technical presentations is the assertion-evidence approach. In this approach, you build your presentations on succinct messages (assertions), rather than phrase topics. Moreover, to support those messages, you provide visual evidence rather than bulleted lists. Finally, to explain that evidence, you practice such that you can fashion sentences on the spot.

Because this approach is built on research for how people learn, assertion-evidence presentations are better understood and remembered. Because you are explaining visual evidence rather than reading bullets, you project more confidence. The structure of a presentation revolves around three parts: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.

Introduction

The introduction sets the tone, captures interest, establishes credibility, and previews the presentation. An effective entry point could be sharing a story, providing an example, or highlighting the significance of the topic. Establishing credibility involves briefly mentioning your qualifications or relevant experience, which increases audience trust. Finally, preview the content of your presentation by outlining how you intend to develop your main message, thus giving your audience a roadmap.

Body

The body of the presentation should be organized around a clear main assertion and supporting sub-assertions. The main assertion encapsulates the key message or takeaway for the audience. Sub-assertions are the points needed to support and build toward this main assertion. Thoughtful organization involves considering the logical dependencies among ideas, often visualized through an "assertion tree." For example, some sub-assertions may be prerequisites for understanding subsequent points.

Focus on key messages rather than overwhelming the audience with details. Select points that directly contribute to understanding the main assertion. Use transitions to connect ideas smoothly, summarize previous points, and preview upcoming ones. Effective transitions help the audience follow the flow and reinforce understanding. For technical topics, leading the audience through a logical progression of ideas builds comprehension and engagement.

Conclusion

The conclusion is a vital element that often gets neglected. A strong conclusion reinforces the main assertion, summarizes key points, and leaves a lasting impression. It might also connect the main message to a broader context, reinforcing its importance. Ending with an impactful statement or a call to action can provide closure and encourage reflection. Finally, inviting questions provides an opportunity to clarify and deepen understanding.

Structural Elements

Using examples such as Janine Benyus’ “12 Sustainable Design Ideas from Nature” or Christy Holtzapple’s “O-Rings in Nuclear Power Plants,” effective presentations start with establishing credibility and clearly stating the main assertion. In Holtzapple’s talk, her background in working at a plant lends credibility, and her main assertion—"Silver plated C-Rings should replace O-Rings in nuclear power plants"—is clearly previewed and supported by logical sub-assertions. The body logically develops these points, with transitions guiding the audience seamlessly through the argument.

Similarly, Luke Gustafson’s “Can Stem Cells Help the Blood Shortage?” employs a structured assertion tree, and careful transitions improve flow and audience comprehension. Addressing potential audience bias, especially on controversial topics, demonstrates respect and prepares listeners for the information presented, thus fostering more effective communication.

Overall, adopting the assertion-evidence approach, organizing logically with a clear structure, and managing audience engagement through transitions and acknowledgment of bias greatly enhance the clarity, retention, and impact of technical presentations.

References

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