Thread by @JessicaCalarco

With #ASA18 fast-approaching, I thought I’d share some tips for writing, designing, and presenting an effective conference talk. (thread) #AcademicTwitter

https://twitter.com/SocScholarCR/status/1024006394608005120

1. Conference talks are typically 10-15 minutes long. I’d suggest breaking that down as follows:
- background/justification (2 min)
- research goals/questions (1 min)
- study design/methods (2 min)
- overview (1 min)
- findings (5-7 min)
- discussion/implications (1-2 min)

2. Keep the focus on your paper. Save the bulk of the time for your study and what you find. People aren’t coming to hear about what’s been done before. They’re coming to hear what’s new.
(Though, if your talk is at 8am, don't take it personally if no one comes at all)

3. If you’re nervous about rambling/freezing up, script your talk. BUT:
- write it like you’d say it (short, declarative sentences)
- 100-150 words per minute
- print it 14pt font or bigger
- practice aloud (and edit)
- practice until you’re confident (but bring your script)

4. Don’t just summarize the literature - make a case for your study. What’s the gap or puzzle or problem in the literature? What does existing research suggest in terms of solutions? How will you examine/test those possibilities?

5. Don’t just summarize your methods – make a case for your study design. Why is your case/sample/dataset the right one for your research question? Why is your method the right method?
(Note: aim higher than “because no one has looked at this before”)

6. Don’t bury the lead. State your central argument clearly, up-front. Briefly summarize the key patterns in your data that support your argument. Then unpack those patterns with evidence (e.g., fieldnote excerpts, quotes, figures, tables, etc.). Then re-state your conclusion.

7. A few notes on choosing quotes/fieldnotes to include. Choose examples that:
- don’t require a lot of backstory/context to understand
- are relatively short (easier to follow)
- illustrate a single point (that way you won’t mislead your audience)

8. When presenting qualitative data, “sandwich” your quotes/fieldnote excerpts:
- state your point
- describe the pattern that supports your point
- introduce the quote/excerpt
- read the quote/excerpt
- explain how the quote/excerpt illustrates your point

9. End by answering the “so what” question. What should we take away from these findings? How do they build on/challenge/contribute to existing research? What implications do they have for policy/practice? What are the next steps?

10. Mind your manners. Leave time to thank the session organizer (the person who picked your paper for a talk), the presider (the person who introduced you/kept time), the discussant (the person offering comments on the paper), and the audience.

11. Anticipate questions. It’s okay if you don’t have time to cover everything in your paper. That leaves a clear opening for questions. Turn those possible questions into extra slides, or at least prep a few notes about each topic.

12. A few notes on slide design:
- give each slide a clear purpose
- summarize key points; don’t write it all out
- 24pt font or larger
- avoid quotes/fieldnotes
- figures >>> simple tables >>> detailed tables
- use images to illustrate key points
- put text on shapes for impact

13. A few notes on images:
- opt for high resolution (check for blur in presentation mode)
- find images labeled for reuse (freeimages, pixabay, etc.)
- mix up the layouts; try some full screen with text shapes on top

14. A few notes on designing slides for qualitative talks:
- use stock photos to illustrate the scene
- act out your fieldnotes (e.g., if they frown/wave/shout, you frown/wave/shout)
- put the takeaway (not the fieldnote/quote) on the slide

15. If you want to see what this all looks like put together, check out my draft slides for my upcoming #ASA18 talk on “Gender (Re)Play: Power and Children’s Resistance to Cultural Stereotypes” iu.box.com/s/01fs89fj9ncb…

16. I really enjoy conference talks. As someone who (very briefly) considered art school, I love designing slides. And as a former drama geek, I love the performance-art aspect of presenting. But despite all that, I still get butterflies. And that’s okay.

Here's a blog post version of all these tweets on writing, designing, and giving effective conference talks:
jessicacalarco.com/tips-tricks/20…