Speaking Technically

The following sections are included:

• Preface

• Contents

Please refer to the full text.

The most difficult, and most important, aspect of speaking technically is the initial leap of the imagination.

Your profession has achieved its status and respect by institutionalising certain ways of organising ideas and information. You personally have reached the point of being asked to give a technical presentation by paying careful attention to specific and minutely detailed observations and measurements. These observations and measurements gain their significance only from the intellectual framework in which they are perceived to be important…

The following sections are included:

• Clarity and organisation

• Strategy A: “I will argue that…”

• Strategy B: “You should buy x because…”

• Strategy C: “You should change procedure x because…”

• Strategy D: “The evidence suggests that…but…”

• Strategy E: “Don't let this happen to you…”

• Strategy F: “It is urgent that we…”

• Strategy G: “We are nearly there…”

• Strategy H: “If we can solve this, then we should be able to…”

• Strategy I: “An unexpected problem has arisen…”

• Strategy J: “Can you help us to solve this…”

• Strategy K: “We need funds to crack this…”

• Strategy L: “There are warning signs that…”

• Strategy M: “Why theory x is better than theory y…”

• Strategy N: ‘The ‘Which?’ survey…’

• Strategy O: “Our output will be greater if…”

• Strategy P: “These explanations won't do because…”

• Strategy Q: “See what rubbish this is…”

• Strategy R: “These systems don't meet our needs because…”

The following sections are included:

• Starting

• Signposting: Emphasis of important points

• Stopping

Please refer to the full text.

The following sections are included:

• Overhead Projector Transparencies

• 35mm slides

• Blackboard/Whiteboard

• Flip-charts

• Demonstrations/Exhibits

Please refer to the full text.

Your strategy in speaking technically, in terms of choice of material, theme, and approach will reflect your interpretation of your audience's interests and needs. The structures discussed in Chapter 3 offer help at the strategic level for most situations. There remain, however, some tactical issues to be considered concerning the type of expectations generated by, and the conventions usual in, some specific situations in which you will give presentations…

The following sections are included:

• Before the meeting

• At the meeting

• Managing questions in large meetings

• If you are the person being questioned…

The following sections are included:

• Appendix A Count-Down Check List

• Appendix B Notes to Accompany the Speaking Technically Presentations Check Sheet

• Appendix C Speaking Technically Presentations Check Sheet