Link to original video by MIT OpenCourseWare

How to Speak

How to Speak: A Summary

Short Summary:

This lecture focuses on the importance of effective communication, particularly in academic and professional settings. The speaker argues that the ability to speak clearly and persuasively is crucial for success, and he outlines various techniques and strategies for improving communication skills. He emphasizes the use of visual aids like blackboards and slides, and discusses the importance of storytelling, passion, and engaging with the audience. The lecture also covers specific advice for job talks, oral exams, and gaining recognition for one's work.

Detailed Summary:

1. Introduction: The Importance of Communication

• The speaker begins by comparing the importance of communication skills to the necessity of weapons for soldiers. He argues that students should be equipped with strong communication skills to succeed in life.
• He introduces a formula for effective communication: knowledge + practice + talent, emphasizing the importance of knowledge.
• He uses the example of Mary Lou Retton, a famous gymnast, to illustrate the point that knowledge and practice can surpass inherent talent.

2. Heuristics for Effective Speaking

• The speaker outlines four key heuristics for effective speaking:
  • Cycling: Repeating key points to ensure comprehension.
  • Building a Fence: Clearly defining and distinguishing your ideas from others.
  • Verbal Punctuation: Using markers like numbers or outlines to help the audience follow the flow of the talk.
  • Asking Questions: Engaging the audience and providing opportunities for them to participate.

3. Tools of the Trade: Blackboards, Props, and Slides

• The speaker discusses the advantages of using blackboards for presentations:
  • Graphic Quality: Allows for the use of visuals and diagrams.
  • Speed Property: Matches the pace of human information absorption.
  • Target for Hands: Provides a physical object for the speaker to interact with, preventing awkward hand gestures.
• He emphasizes the importance of props in storytelling and demonstration, using examples from plays and engineering lectures.
• He argues that props can activate empathetic mirroring in the audience, making the presentation more engaging.
• He discusses the use of slides for exposing ideas, not teaching them, and outlines several "crimes" to avoid when using slides:
  • Reading Transparencies: Annoying the audience by simply reading what's on the slide.
  • Too Many Words: Overloading the slide with text, distracting from the speaker.
  • Clutter: Using unnecessary logos, titles, and bullets.
  • Laser Pointer Crime: Using a laser pointer excessively, breaking eye contact with the audience.
  • Too Heavy: Overloading the presentation with text and not enough visuals.

4. Special Cases: Informing, Inspiring, and Persuading

• The speaker discusses the importance of passion and storytelling when informing or inspiring an audience.
• He emphasizes the need to express enthusiasm for the subject matter and to provide compelling examples and stories.
• He addresses the question of how to teach people how to think, arguing that it involves providing them with stories, questions, and analytical tools.
• He then moves on to persuading, focusing on oral exams, job talks, and gaining recognition for one's work.

5. Oral Exams and Job Talks

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of situating research in context and practicing effectively for oral exams.
• He highlights the crucial five-minute window in job talks for establishing a vision and demonstrating accomplishments.
• He provides a framework for structuring a job talk, including outlining the problem, the approach, and the contributions.

6. Getting Famous: The Winston Starr

• The speaker introduces the "Winston Starr" as a mnemonic device for remembering key elements for gaining recognition for one's work:
  • Symbol: A visual representation of the work.
  • Slogan: A catchy phrase that summarizes the work.
  • Surprise: An unexpected or counterintuitive element of the work.
  • Salient Idea: A memorable and distinctive idea.
  • Story: A narrative explaining the work, its importance, and how it was achieved.

7. How to Stop: Final Slides and Words

• The speaker discusses the importance of using the final slide to highlight contributions, rather than simply stating conclusions.
• He emphasizes the need to avoid ending a talk with a weak "thank you" and suggests alternative methods like a joke, a salute to the audience, or a statement about the value of their time.
• He uses examples from political speeches and other events to illustrate effective ways to end a presentation.

8. Conclusion: The Importance of Presentation

• The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of presentation skills and encourages the audience to continue developing their communication abilities.
• He highlights the value of the audience's presence, demonstrating their understanding of the importance of effective communication.