Technically speaking! Technically writing! Talk and workshop
Bertrand Meyer
Chair of Software Engineering, ETH - Zurich
DEIB - Building 24, Alfa Room (Via Golgi, 40)
June 8th, 2016
9.30 am - 1.30 pm
Contact:
Carlo Ghezzi
Research Line:
Advanced software architectures and methodologies
Chair of Software Engineering, ETH - Zurich
DEIB - Building 24, Alfa Room (Via Golgi, 40)
June 8th, 2016
9.30 am - 1.30 pm
Contact:
Carlo Ghezzi
Research Line:
Advanced software architectures and methodologies
Sommario
Technically Speaking!
How to give a good technical presentation
A good technical talk requires good technical work; that is the essential condition, but it is not sufficient. Too many good science and technology efforts are damaged by bad presentation. Conversely, good presentation can give your research the exposure and appreciation it deserves.
I will explain the fundamental rules of good technical talks, derived from having observed hundreds of technical and scientific presentations over the years, some of them outstanding and many that would have benefited from better lecturing skills. The topics include managing time, choosing what to focus on, devising effective slides (e.g. in PowerPoint), interacting with the audience, avoiding typical mistakes, using technical English properly, and the other ingredients that can make the difference between a so-so technical talk and one that the audience will remember.
(What makes me think I am qualified to teach you about talking in public? I have given lots of technical talks, to audiences all the way up to 7000 attendees and down to one (I do not consciously talk to myself); I may or may not be a good speaker; but that is not the most relevant part. My exceptional experience is as a listener. I have possibly sat in more bad talks than anyone alive. If you do not attend my lecture for your benefit, please consider attending it for mine: I might in the future have to listen to a talk by you, and would like to preserve my well-being. Also, when you start that talk with “Welcome to my PhD defense!” and see me walk out, you will know why.)
Technically Writing!
How to write a good technical paper
The technical paper, particularly the computer science technical paper, is a specific genre. To have any hope of being accepted at a good conference or in a good journal, it must follow specific rules. The competition for the top venues is so tough that if you do not pay as much attention to the form as to the content you have little chance of getting in.
This presentation is organized as a workshop: I will give you the draft of a technical paper - an actual one, not a made-up example - and together we will analyze its strengths and weaknesses, then rewrite it until it passes muster.
How to give a good technical presentation
A good technical talk requires good technical work; that is the essential condition, but it is not sufficient. Too many good science and technology efforts are damaged by bad presentation. Conversely, good presentation can give your research the exposure and appreciation it deserves.
I will explain the fundamental rules of good technical talks, derived from having observed hundreds of technical and scientific presentations over the years, some of them outstanding and many that would have benefited from better lecturing skills. The topics include managing time, choosing what to focus on, devising effective slides (e.g. in PowerPoint), interacting with the audience, avoiding typical mistakes, using technical English properly, and the other ingredients that can make the difference between a so-so technical talk and one that the audience will remember.
(What makes me think I am qualified to teach you about talking in public? I have given lots of technical talks, to audiences all the way up to 7000 attendees and down to one (I do not consciously talk to myself); I may or may not be a good speaker; but that is not the most relevant part. My exceptional experience is as a listener. I have possibly sat in more bad talks than anyone alive. If you do not attend my lecture for your benefit, please consider attending it for mine: I might in the future have to listen to a talk by you, and would like to preserve my well-being. Also, when you start that talk with “Welcome to my PhD defense!” and see me walk out, you will know why.)
Technically Writing!
How to write a good technical paper
The technical paper, particularly the computer science technical paper, is a specific genre. To have any hope of being accepted at a good conference or in a good journal, it must follow specific rules. The competition for the top venues is so tough that if you do not pay as much attention to the form as to the content you have little chance of getting in.
This presentation is organized as a workshop: I will give you the draft of a technical paper - an actual one, not a made-up example - and together we will analyze its strengths and weaknesses, then rewrite it until it passes muster.
