T. R. Girill, July 2006

Talk Tips for Forensic Science
Problem Forensic science testimony must be... You can apply the same techniques in your own science talks...

STRUCTURE Clear and organized. Actively help listeners follow your "case."

Plan your scope/depth tradeoffs early
(use either broad and shallow treatment or narrow and deep).

Reveal (overtly summarize) your talk's structure
(the audience cannot see your mental outline or table of contents).

Announce structure milestones as you pass them
(use verbal headings ["the third problem..."] and proleptics ["by contrast..."]).

REVIEW Concise. Balance your available time among your topics.

Remember the slogan "tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them."

Identify and manage your topic transitions carefully, usually with planned repetition of structure cues.

Practice to avoid pointless, accidental repetition.

UNDERSTANDING Meaningful to nonexperts. Actively anticipate audience problems or confusions.

Choose your vocabulary, examples, and comparisons to control your technical depth. Adjust to suit:

Your audience's background.

How your talk unfolds.

Manage your data density:

Control your amount of supporting detail.

Supplement your talk with detail-bearing handouts (references, for example).

Use visual aids (slides, models) to carefully increase data density without increasing confusion.

DELIVERY Robust, able to withstand challenges. Avoid needless mistakes; practice with criticisms in mind.

(Before talking) spell out your list of claims
(to confirm just how many claims you have).

Rehearse privately:

With your notes (to tune self-prompts).

Before a mirror (to practice eye contact).

With a clock (to check pace and length).

Avoid saying one thing and showing another
(plan and practice speech/slide coordination).

Maintain audience interest:

Use short, direct sentences.

Show (appropriate) enthusiasm.

Attend to audience needs (confused? can't hear? questions?).

Talk Tips for Forensic Science
Problem	Forensic science testimony must be...	You can apply the same techniques in your own science talks...
STRUCTURE	Clear and organized.	Actively help listeners follow your "case."
		Plan your scope/depth tradeoffs early (use either broad and shallow treatment or narrow and deep). Reveal (overtly summarize) your talk's structure (the audience cannot see your mental outline or table of contents). Announce structure milestones as you pass them (use verbal headings ["the third problem..."] and proleptics ["by contrast..."]).
REVIEW	Concise.	Balance your available time among your topics.
		Remember the slogan "tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them." Identify and manage your topic transitions carefully, usually with planned repetition of structure cues. Practice to avoid pointless, accidental repetition.
UNDERSTANDING	Meaningful to nonexperts.	Actively anticipate audience problems or confusions.
		Choose your vocabulary, examples, and comparisons to control your technical depth. Adjust to suit: Your audience's background. How your talk unfolds. Manage your data density: Control your amount of supporting detail. Supplement your talk with detail-bearing handouts (references, for example). Use visual aids (slides, models) to carefully increase data density without increasing confusion.
DELIVERY	Robust, able to withstand challenges.	Avoid needless mistakes; practice with criticisms in mind.
		(Before talking) spell out your list of claims (to confirm just how many claims you have). Rehearse privately: With your notes (to tune self-prompts). Before a mirror (to practice eye contact). With a clock (to check pace and length). Avoid saying one thing and showing another (plan and practice speech/slide coordination). Maintain audience interest: Use short, direct sentences. Show (appropriate) enthusiasm. Attend to audience needs (confused? can't hear? questions?).