Chapter 15-16 Notes: Presentations, Feedback, and Informational Interviews

Session Overview

• Topics for today: two discussion topics built around practical workplace/academic skills.
• 1) Gut check on feedback progress report: discuss self-assessed grade, next steps, and practical memory aids to remind you to work on feedback before someone else does.
• 2) Informational interviews: share what surprised you during your interview and one key learning you could extend to your own environment.
• Time allotment: about 5–7 minutes for each discussion, then share out.
• There was a brief moment of confusion about whether the two topics were related or separate; instructor clarified that the two topics are distinct but both part of the same class session.
• Context: this is linked to Chapter 15 (planning presentations) and Chapter 16 (why we communicate) with emphasis on feedback, interviews, and presentation skills.

Two Discussion Topics (Detailed)

• Feedback progress report gut check
  • Share the grade you would give yourself for your progress so far.
  • State your next concrete step to improve; specify what you will do to remember to work on it.
  • Discuss practical reminders or tactics to keep progress on track (e.g., scheduling reminders, accountability checks, micro-habits).
• Informational interviews
  • Share two quick takeaways: what surprised you during the interview, and one key learning you could apply in your own setting (e.g., room, team, or class).
• Purpose of the exercises: practice reflection, accountability, and transfer of insights to real-world contexts.

Clarifications from the Instructor

• The two parts are distinct: feedback on yourself vs. your informational interview insights.
• The Monday/15th timeline was confirmed for the related assignment.
• Several students discuss real-time experiences (e.g., forming teams, pilot projects) to illustrate the practical context of these skills.

Key Concepts: Self-Assessment and Interview Learnings (Emerging Themes)

• Seek to understand and active listening
  • Core behaviors discussed: genuine curiosity, asking questions, listening without rushing to solve.
  • Civility: slowing down, being present, reflecting before acting.
• Avoiding common missteps in conversations
  • Avoid the word "but" as it can diminish the other person’s contribution.
  • Avoid saying "I understand" in situations where you cannot truly claim the exact same experience as another person.
  • The goal is to validate and connect, not to redirect the focus to oneself.
• Neutral/impartial stance
  • Approach conversations from a neutral or impartial perspective instead of taking offense or defensiveness.
• Practical takeaways to apply in everyday conversations
  • Ask questions, stay engaged, seek diverse information to avoid agreement bias (the “filter bubble”).
  • Strive for a well-rounded understanding while remaining grounded in your core values.

Chapter 15: Planning Presentations and Credibility

Credibility and the quality of the presentation

• Credibility is directly linked to the quality of information and how it’s presented.
• Slides should serve the audience, not the presenter. Slides are cues that guide emphasis rather than dumps of content.
• Excessive content on slides can undermine credibility; presenters should know their material well enough to present with minimal slide content.
• Audience awareness: tailor language, examples, and acronyms to the audience’s knowledge level; avoid jargon they may not understand.
• Include enough backstory or context to level the playing field so the audience can follow without prior knowledge.

Framework for effective presentations

• Preview (opening)
  • The first words matter; you have limited time to establish credibility.
  • Use a hook or attention-getter (e.g., statistic, quote, story) to position the topic and entice the audience.
  • The preview also includes a decision statement: what the audience should take away or decide about by the end.
• Main content (approximately 80% of the talk)
  • Structure content around three key points (three-point structure is memorable and effective).
  • Present takeaway messages clearly: point 1, point 2, point 3.
  • Ensure smooth transitions to show how each point connects to the next.
• Review (closing)
  • Recap the content and explicitly articulate the call to action or the overarching message you want the audience to leave with.
• Engagement cadence
  • Small engagement every 3–5 minutes (e.g., a question or quick poll).
  • Large engagement every ~20 minutes (e.g., group work, problem-solving activity, or a longer discussion).
• Attention getters and visualization techniques
  • A variety of attention getters were discussed, including:
  • Dramatic demonstration (e.g., a vivid, emotional personal story).
  • Description and visualization (e.g., imagine yourself in a scenario to evoke sensory engagement).
  • Testimonial or quotation (e.g., citing a credible voice).
  • Challenge (e.g., inviting the audience to propose the most outrageous idea or problem).
  • Unexpected exercise (e.g., quick physical activity in the room).
  • Important: Allow audience reflection time after attention getters so the moment can resonate instead of rushing to the next slide.
• Practice and rubric expectations
  • Presentations will be graded on: whether there is a clear preview, identifiable takeaway, a clear call to action or recap, and audience engagement.
  • For the first presentation, focus on applying these elements without over-pressuring yourself.
• Practical tips from student discussions
  • Audience-aware language: avoid overusing acronyms; provide necessary backstory.
  • Use slides as memory aids, not crutches—be confident in your knowledge.
  • Authenticity matters: avoid relying too heavily on AI-generated scripts; authenticity boosts credibility.
  • Visual and sensory cues can strengthen attention-getters and storytelling, but give the audience time to absorb.

Group activities and examples from the session

• A variety of short demonstrations and examples were shared to practice attention getters:
  • Group 1: Noah’s dramatic demonstration about violence in Los Angeles (emotional engagement, vivid scene).
  • Group 2: Data-driven ice-breaker on microbiome and diet (statistic-based opening).
  • Group 4: NFL season example to illustrate framing and balance (contextual storytelling).
  • Group 7: Global warming visualization of future underwater scenarios (highly visual, but noted to connect to immediate impacts).
• Feedback and improvement suggestions observed
  • Ensure vivid examples don’t overwhelm the audience; let the moment land before moving on.
  • Use outcomes-focused language and keep the audience’s needs in mind when choosing hooks.
  • When presenting data or statistics, connect them to a clear takeaway and a practical implication.

Important numerical references and formulas

• Discussion and presentation timings
  • Audience discussions: $5 ext{ to } 7$ minutes.
  • Small engagement cadence: every $3 ext{ to } 5$ minutes.
  • Large engagement cadence: every approximately $20$ minutes.
• Content distribution
  • Main content should comprise about $80 ext{ extpercent}$ of the talk.
• Three-point structure
  • Use $3$ takeaway points (point 1, point 2, point 3).
• Credibility and content quality
  • Slide content should be concise; the audience’s understanding and credibility depend on the presenter’s command of the material.
• Relevance of audience understanding
  • Differentiate language and examples for audiences with different knowledge bases; provide necessary scaffolding.
• Real-world data example from the session
  • Microbiome study: $40$ different types of fruits and vegetables per week.
  • National intake: about $1/10 = 0.10$ of adults meet the recommended daily intake of five servings.
• Visualization of consequences (long-term examples)
  • A prediction: in two centuries, LA/USC campus may be underwater due to rising sea levels; this is a visualization meant to illustrate urgency and scale, not immediate reality.
  • Immediate improvement note: connect distant scenarios to present-day impacts to maintain engagement and relevance.

Chapter 16: Why We Communicate; Delivering Presentations in Practice

Why we deliver presentations

• Goals of presentation delivery include persuading, informing, motivating, or selling a position.
• End-state objective: achieve audience buy-in or support for a proposed action or idea.

Credibility, structure, and professionalism

• Avoid informal, off-the-cuff information sharing in professional settings; organize thoughts and deliver a prepared presentation.
• In meetings, use agendas and articulate expected outcomes; describe what you aim to achieve (meeting goals and next steps).
• High-level professional practice involves preparation and rehearsal, not winging it, especially in formal settings like boardrooms or leadership roles.

Public speaking fear and overcoming it

• Public speaking is among the top three fears for American adults; common causes include perceived judgment and being evaluated.
• Coping strategies discussed:
  • Practice extensively to build familiarity and confidence.
  • Accept a certain level of nervousness as normal and use it as energy to stay engaged.
  • Use presence strategies: slow down, pause when needed, and take short breaks to reset.
  • Focus on audience cues (smile, nods, engagement) to gain confidence and adjust delivery.
  • Visualize supportive cues from the audience and reuse those cues to re-center during the talk.
• The role of authenticity
  • Authenticity is tied to credibility; over-reliance on AI-generated scripts or robotic delivery reduces engagement.
  • A well-structured framework with personalized delivery enhances authenticity.

Presence and delivery techniques

• Open/posture techniques (soften method inferred from discussion)
  • Open posture, direct eye contact, and confident tone.
  • Smile and maintain an approachable demeanor; keep knees relaxed and forward-facing to convey engagement.
  • Use deliberate breathing to sustain calm and control.
• Manage questions with credibility in mind
  • Answer questions confidently; if unsure, acknowledge uncertainty and offer to follow up.
  • When addressing questions, be inclusive: call on diverse audience members to encourage representation.
  • After answering, offer to provide more information or contact details for follow-up.

Question handling and engagement strategies

• Maintain credibility during Q&A by clarity, honesty, and preparedness.
• If you don’t know the answer, it's acceptable to admit uncertainty and propose to investigate further.
• When soliciting audience input, encourage multiple perspectives and avoid dismissing any participant's view too quickly.
• Use questions strategically to keep engagement high and to draw out thoughtful responses from a broad audience.

Breakout exercise reflections and takeaways

• Breakouts were used to practice structuring responses to the seven questions around preparation, rehearsal, audience engagement, ethos, and Q&A.
• Common themes of improvement included:
  • Enhancing authenticity through story-driven delivery and credible data.
  • Balancing structure with flexibility to adapt to audience cues.
  • Utilizing small and large audience engagements to maintain attention without fatigue.
  • Implementing a softening approach in responses to appear more approachable and collaborative.

Practical implications and connections to real-world practice

• In professional contexts, preparation and rehearsal are non-negotiable for credibility; even leaders who appear polished still rely on practice and feedback.
• The balance between structure (agendas, outcomes) and spontaneity (authentic storytelling) creates effective, credible communication.
• Ethical considerations include avoiding manipulation through over-automation (e.g., purely AI-generated content) and valuing authentic human connection in presentations and interviews.

Quick Reference: Key Takeaways for Presentations

• Always tailor content to the audience; know their knowledge base and vocabulary.
• Use a three-point structure for clarity and retention.
• Start with a strong preview and a hook; end with a clear takeaway or call to action.
• Engage the audience regularly with small tasks and occasional larger activities.
• Use slides to support, not overwhelm; slides should be cues for you, not your script.
• Practice extensively; seek feedback and be willing to revise for clarity and impact.
• Be authentic and present; avoid robotic, over-scripted delivery.
• Prepare for questions; handle them with honesty and openness, and invite further discussion if needed.

Summary of Connecting Ideas

• Feedback, informational interviews, and presentation skills are interconnected: reflecting on feedback improves presentation quality; interview insights inform how you communicate with others; effective presentations require credibility and audience-focused design.
• The session emphasized practical, actionable strategies, not just theory: concrete timings (3–5 min engagements, 20-min larger tasks), real-world examples, and group activities to reinforce learning.

Glossary of Concepts (Quick Reference)

• Preview: opening segment that hooks the audience and outlines the talk’s framing and decision statement.
• Three-point structure: a common, memorable format for main content consisting of three key points.
• Small engagement: quick, interactive moments every few minutes to maintain attention.
• Large engagement: longer, more collaborative activities used roughly every 20 minutes in longer talks.
• Attention getter: techniques to capture attention at the start (dramatic, descriptive, visual, rhetorical, challenge, etc.).
• Credibility: the degree to which the audience believes the presenter; bolstered by preparedness, accuracy, and authentic delivery.
• Open posture: a nonverbal cue signaling confidence and openness.
• Softening method: inferred set of practices to soften delivery and improve audience receptivity (e.g., eye contact, tone, pacing).
• Authenticity: delivering in a way that reflects your true voice and understanding, rather than relying on artificial or scripted content.
• Seek to understand: a communication principle emphasizing genuine curiosity, questions, active listening, and civil discourse.