Rhetoric 3257-003: Scientific and Technical Presentations
Dr. Bernadette Longo
Spring 2004: TTh 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., VoTech R380

Assignment Due Dates

1/22 1/29 2/5 2/12 2/19 2/26 3/4
3/11 3/25 4/1 4/8 4/15 4/22 4/29
5/6 WebCT Course Home Syllabus Assignment Descriptions    

Week
Date In-Class Activity Due Next Class Meeting
1
T 1/20
  • Introductions
  • Oral presentations in technical communication
  • PowerPoint issues
  • Chapters 1 & 2
Th 1/22
  • Power Point issues
  • Dealing with nervousness
2
T 1/27
  • Power Point issue presentations
  • Ethos, memory, delivery
  • Building confidence
  • Chapter 5
Th 1/29
  • Power Point issue presentations
  • Audience analysis
  • Choose possible technical topic for a presentation that informs
  • Chapter 6 & 7
3
T 2/3
  • Audience analysis
  • Purpose
  • Introductions and conclusions
  • Chapter 8
Th 2/5
  • Body of presentation
  • Presentations that inform
  • Develop a draft introduction and body of your presentation that informs
  • Chapter 9
4
T 2/10
  • Show your draft work for your presentation that informs
  • Analyze your presentation's audience and purpose
Th 2/12
  • Discuss presentation analyses
  • Post analysis to WebCT discussion board by class time 2/17
5
T 2/17
  • Respond to the analysis of the person after you in the WebCT queue. If you're the last person to post, respond to the first person. Use the assignment criteria to respond to the postings.
  • Post annotated bibliography of your research sources to WebCT discussion board by class time 2/19
Th 2/19
  • Informative presentations: Ryan, Justin
  • Presentations that explain how to perform a task (groups of 2)
  • Prepare 5-minute informative presentation (Presentation 1) using PowerPoint slides
6
T 2/24
  • Informative presentations
Courtney, Scott, Katie, Jon L., Johnny, Akia, Nick, Will, Heather
 
Th 2/26
  • WebCT quiz
  • Chapter 12
7
T 3/2
  • Informative presentations:
    Andy, Mike, Brian, Jon D., David, Vince, Jace
 
Th 3/4
  • Informative presentations: Xai, Gretta
  • Presentations that explain how to perform a task (groups of 2)
  • Choose possible technical topic for a presentation that explains how to perform a task
  • Analyze your presentation's audience and purpose
  • Post analysis to WebCT discussion board by class time 3/23
  • Be prepared to discuss your presentation idea in class for 5 minutes at next class meeting
8
T 3/9
  • how-to presentation work session: meet in COB 17
  • Chapter 16
Th 3/11
  • Presentations offering a strategy or action plan
  • Creating visuals

 

  • Prepare 10-minute how-to presentation (Presentation 2) using PowerPoint slides
9
T 3/23
  • How-to presentations (groups of 2): Jon L & Ryan; Gretta & Justin; Akia & Nick
  • Chapters 10 & 11
Th 3/25
  • How-to presentations (groups of 2): Mike; Brian & Johnny; Katie & Heather; David & Vince
  • Choose possible technical strategy or action topic for a presentation
  • Analyze your presentation's audience and purpose
  • Post analysis to WebCT discussion board by class time 4/1
  • Be prepared to discuss your presentation idea in class for 3-5 minutes at next class meeting
10
T 3/30
  • How-to presentations (groups of 2): Scott; Jon D. & Jace; Courthey & Will; Xai & Andy
  • Discuss strategy presentation ideas (groups of 2)
  • Prepare 10-minute strategy or action presentation (Presentation 3) using PowerPoint slides
Th 4/1
  • prepare strategy presentations (meet in COB 17)

 

11
T 4/6
  • Discuss role of analogy and visuals in presentation
  • Discuss presentation styles
 
Th 4/8
  • Strategy or action presentations (groups of 2): Justin & Gretta; Johnny & Brian; Andy & Xai; David & Vince

 

12
T 4/13
  • Strategy or action presentations (groups of 2): Scott; Nick & Akia; Jace & Jon D.; Ryan & Jon L
  • Chapters 13, 14, & 15
Th 4/15
  • Strategy or action presentations (groups of 2): Heather & Katie; Courtney & Will; Mike
  • Choose possible technical topic for a presentation to a non-expert audience
  • Be prepared to discuss your presentation idea in class for 3-5 minutes at next class meeting, especially your use of analogy and visuals
13
T 4/20
  • Prepare 12-minute technical presentation for a non-expert audience (Presentation 4)
Th 4/22
  • Meet in COB 17 for work day
  • Be creative!
14
T 4/27
  • Presentation for general audience:Johnny & Brian; Justin & Gretta; Jace & Jon D.; Vince & David
 

Th 4/29

  • Presentation for general audience: Ryan & Jon L; Heather & Katie; Scott; Xai & Andy
 
15
T 5/4
  • Presentation for general audience: Akia & Nick; Courtney & Will; Mike
 
Th 5/6
  • Reflection on technical presentations
 

 


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