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onto the experimental (or theoretical) model that the speaker
wishes to describe.
Advantages of zooming in: (1) it emphasizes to the audience
that the work to be described bears a relevance to an important
scientific principle rather than being an insignificant, isolated
contribution; (2) zooming in defines the intellectual borders of the
presentation.
When putting a presentation in a historical perspective, always
give appropriate credit to contribution of others in the field.
TELLING A STORY
There is a distinct difference between summarizing a
collection of facts and telling an exciting and interesting story.
A clear thinker separates the central, relevant issues from
merely supportive peripheral information and will not allow the
direct line of thought to be interrupted by sidetracks.
A story should have one focus and convey a single major
message.
To construct the plot for a scientific story, it is often useful to
phrase the basic idea underlying the talk as a question.
Mainstream and Sidetracks.
There are three simple rules for preventing the loss of
momentum as results of sidetracks.
1. Keep the number of sidetracks to a minimum and use
only those that are absolutely essential.
2. Keep the excursion from the mainstream as brief as
possible, providing the minimal amount of ancillary
information that is absolutely crucial for a full appreciation of
the presentation's mainstream.
3. Always make clear where the sidetrack starts and when
it is complete, return to the same point of the mainstream.
FORMULATION AND ARGUMENTATION
The lecture must proceed as a logical unfolding of information.
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