最近開始用Google reader訂閱喜愛的blog文章,實在相當方便好用! 我一向對presentation skill很有興趣,一方面是自己在public speeching功力欠佳,一方面也是著迷於許多專業演講人"說書"的本事. 我還記得上學期最後一堂intercultural communication,有一位來自伊朗的同學講cultural shock時,他只用幾張簡單的圖表穿插他自己觀察伊朗和澳洲不同的風俗民情,15分鐘的報告一點都不冷場,而且他完全沒有看稿!
Chris Brogan 寫的這篇14 tips for communicating ideas列出七個重點提醒presenter:

1. Learn more than one way to present your idea.
2. Practice pitching your idea on friends, strangers, supportive and hostile listeners.

這點大概所有要上立院備詢的官員都得練這個功吧!
3. Tailor the way you talk about your idea to the person you’re talking with.

我還記得有一次做媒體寫作課的報告時,因為自己太投入找到的資料了,和小組成員一起討論時,她們幾乎聽不懂我在講什麼,原因就是我沒有把資料換成概念來present.好險有了這個pre-presentation,才趕緊做修正.
4. Check in. Are they following? Let them ask questions.

據我的觀察,大部份的亞洲與歐洲學生都不太會留時間給聽眾問問題..大概也是想省掉麻煩吧:-p
5. Use your audience’s words to explain your idea. You can correct misunderstandings later.
6. Allow “white space” around the ideas. Don’t overwhelm them with content.

7. Try to close with actions, even if that’s to get the person to critique the idea better than, “Oh, that sounds neat.”聽來很有趣,但是怎麼做?對我這個缺乏表演戲胞的人,還是有點困難.

我很喜歡他對presentator 的mindframe的比喻.他說你要假設自己和相要present的對象同搭一部電梯,一路上你只有60秒的時間發表你的想法,這時你就要思考:

1. What are the BARE BONES of the idea?
2. How few words can you use, and still get meaning across? (example: we fill up your ipod).
3. Can you use “crossover” ideas. “Like TV and Radio, only two-way.”
4. What is most confusing? Can you change it?
5. Would a picture help?
6. How much can be explained later without hurting the conversation now?
7. What’s your next sentence, after this new, distilled one?

對我而言,這7頁守則更有提醒的作用.希望下學期的presentation會做的更好!