COURSE PRESENTATION FORM – ACADEMIC YEAR 2013 COURSE NAME Presentation, Communication & Scientific Writing
COURSE CODE 75024
LECTURERS Johannes Mahlknecht, Mario Klarer
TEACHING ASSISTANT -- TEACHING LANGUAGE German
CREDIT POINTS 8
LECTURE HOURS 72
EXERCISE HOURS -- OFFICE HOURS
LECTURER During the lecture time span, Fridays, 8:30-10:30 and 14:00-16:00, Faculty of CS, POS Building, piazza Domenicani 3, office 2.10 OFFICE HOURS
TEACHING ASSISTANT --
PREREQUISITES No specific prerequisites.
OBJECTIVES The first part of the course is designed to familiarize students with all the different facets of doing academic research and writing academic texts. It explains the fundamental techniques of writing essays, theses, journal articles, abstracts, and applications. The second part offers clear
guidelines for structural and rhetorical layout of presentations, effective handling of PowerPoint, authentic non-verbal communication and efficient preparation of performances, speeches, and meetings.
SYLLABUS Introduction
getting to know each other expectations
time plan
Part 1: Scientific Writing What is scientific writing? 1. Academic Language
grammar and style in academic writing 2. Paragraphs
structure of a paragraph topic sentence (two parts) body concluding sentence 3. Coherence repetition transitions chronology importance contrast causality
4. Structuring the introduction thesis statement
relevance method road map
6. Structuring the conclusion summary
comparison of results to thesis statement outlook 7. Fact vs. Opinion Examples Statistics 8. Sources quotation paraphrase summary finding sources evaluating sources 9. Documentation notes parenthetical documentation list of works cited
10. Writing abstracts 11. Executive Summary 12. Writing applications
cover letters c.v.
13. Thesis Writing introduction discussion of research methodology summaries conclusion critical apparatus
Part 2: Presentation, Communication
1. Short statements (Newspaper articles as a structural model for statements in meetings)
headline teaser article
(Impromptu statements: With help of guidelines participants create a short statement of one to three minutes on a specific topic – video feedback)
2. Structure and parts of presentations 2.1 Introduction – checklist:
welcome + rapport introducing yourself topic and relevance „road map“
media + handouts time frame
handling of questions
(Impromptu introductions by students with help checklist – video feedback)
2.2 Main Part
checklist for structuring points in the main part: announcing a point
presenting a point ending a point
indicating the end of point summarizing results transition to next point
(Impromptu endings and transitions: using the topic of the previous exercise the participants work on how on to end points and how to create transitions)
2.3 Conclusion
checklist for conclusions
indicating the end of presentation summarizing results
outlook thanking
questions
(Impromptu conclusions: With the help of this checklist participants create a conclusion on the topic from the previous exercises – video feedback).
3. Interacting with PowerPoint (tips and tricks for effectively using PowerPoint. Solutions to challenges tested as to their efficiency authentic examples from companies)
3.1 “Picture-Mute” function of PowerPoint
3.2 “Note” function for presentations and handout 3.3 „Hide-Slide“ function for presentations and handouts 3.4. "Go-To" function for navigating between PowerPoint slides
4. Slide design (authentic slides from companies – with kind permission for training use – illustrate solutions to common challenges in PowerPoint slide design)
4.1 „Company templates“ in PowerPoint background
header + footer + logos font types and font sizes „roadmap“-signals on slides 4.2 Animation
„bullet-point-picture“ slides
„highlighting" vs. „striptease" technique dos and don'ts for video clips 5. Body language and positioning
5.1 Body signals presentation posture movement gestures (hands) eye contact 5.2 Positioning of equipment projection screen + projector laptop or keyboard
the three presentation positions
(Impromptu graph reading: With the help of the body language module and a five-step structure for interacting with complex visuals the participants present a slide with a difficult graph – video feedback)
6. Presentations of participants (training) 6.1 Presentation of participant
holding the presentation
handling questions in discussion 6.2 Feedback
multiple-choice questionnaires by group members oral feedback by group members
oral feedback by trainer Final Test
TEACHING FORMAT A combination of trainer input, impromptu exercises, video feedback, and previously prepared authentic presentations by students.
ASSESSMENT Final exam, written (100 %) READING LIST Textbooks:
Franck, Norbert, and Joachim Stary. Die Technik Wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens: Eine Praktische Anleitung. Paderborn: Schöningh, 2011. Print. Reference Code: AK 39540
Hofmann, Angelika H. Scientific Writing and Communication: Papers, Proposals, and Presentations. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print.
Reference Code: AK 39500
Klarer, Mario. Meetings Auf Englisch. Heidelberg: Redline Wirtschaft, 2007. Print.
Reference Code: AK 39740
Klarer, Mario. Präsentieren Auf Englisch: Überzeugender Auftritt, Treffende Formulierungen, Klare Visualisierung. München: Redline Wirtschaft, 2008. Print.
Reference Code: AK 39700 Suggested Reading:
Creme, Phyllis. Writing at University. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill International (UK) Ltd, 2008. Print.
Reference Code: HD 226 (2003 edition)
Gibaldi, Joseph, and David G. Nicholls. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers: [the Authoritative Guide - Now with Online Access]. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2011. Print. Reference Code: AK 39580 (2009 edition)
Hesselborn-Krumbiegel, Helga. Von Der Idee Zum Text: Eine Anleitung Zum Wissenschaftlichen Schreiben. Paderborn: Ferdinand Schöningh, 2008. Print.
Reference Code: AK 39580
Hogen, Hildegard. Rhetorik. Mannheim: Duden, 2011. Print. Reference Code: /
Hug, Theo. Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten - Handreichung. Innsbruck: Studia, 2010. Print.
Reference Code: /
Hunt, Andy. Your Research Project: How to Manage It. London: Routledge, 2005. Print.
Reference Code: /
Karmasin, Matthias, and Rainer Ribing. Die Gestaltung Wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten: Ein Leitfaden Für Seminararbeiten, Bachelor-, Master Und Magisterarbeiten Sowie Dissertationen. Stuttgart: Facultas, 2011. Print. Reference Code: AK 39580
Lebrun, Jean-Luc. Scientific Writing 2.0: A Reader and Writer's Guide. New Jersey: World Scientific, 2011. Print.
Reference Code: AK 39580 (2008 edition)
Preißner, Andreas. Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten: Internet Nutzen, Text Erstellen, Überblick Behalten. München: Oldenbourg, 2012. Print. Reference Code: /
Schultz, David M. Eloquent Science: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Better Writer, Speaker, and Atmospheric Scientist. Boston, Mass: American Meteorological Society, 2009. Print.
Reference Code: /
Snieder, Roel, and Kenneth L. Larner. The Art of Being a Scientist: A Guide for Graduate Students and Their Mentors. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009. Print.
Reference Code: /
Töpfer, Armin. Erfolgreich Forschen: Ein Leitfaden Für Bachelor-, Master-Studierende. Berlin: Springer, 2009. Print.
Reference Code: AK 39500
Voss, Rödiger. Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten ... Leicht Verständlich. Konstanz: UVK-Verlagsges, 2011. Print.
Reference Code: /
Will, Hermann. Mini-Handbuch Vortrag Und Präsentation: Für Ihren Nächsten Auftritt Vor Publikum. Weinheim: Beltz, 2011. Print. Reference Code: AK 39700 (2007 edition)
SOFTWARE USED Powerpoint (for presentations)
LEARNING OUTCOME The skills acquired during the course should enable students to be confident and competent in their approach towards writing academic
texts. They should know what tools to use in order to find and cite sources, and they should have become more efficient in taking the necessary steps towards completing their texts. Furthermore, students should be able to successfully use the fundamental guidelines for holding presentations that are fluent, coherent, and effective. They should also be well prepared for hosting meetings in their everyday working life, and should know what techniques to use in order to ensure fairness and efficiency.
