ICS 139W Communications Skills for Computer Scientists

Editing the Slides for the Introduction/Tutorial

Work in pairs, with someone you haven't worked with yet this quarter.

 

As you read the slides and comment on each other's presentations, keep in mind the purpose and audience of the paper (that is, to introduce a system to people who are new to it).

Procedure for Presenters

  1. In a low voice, make your presentation to your editor. Try to use your paper slides as you would if they were projected on the screen behind you. You can point to sections of the paper as if you had a light pen pointing to the screen.
  2. Keep these draft slides; you will turn them in with your final Introduction and Tutorial. Also make sure you get your editor's written comments (probably on a copy of these instructions).

Procedure for Editors

  1. Write "Edited by" and your name at the top of the author's printed out slides. You can write any comments on the back of this sheet, or on another sheet of paper.
  2. Listen attentively to the author's presentation. Keep an eye on the clock, and when four minutes have elapsed, say "Please wrap up in one minute."
  3. After the presentation, discuss these questions with the author:
    1. Were there any errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation?
    2. Did any choices of font, color, indentation, or graphics seem suboptimal to you?
    3. Did any slide break the "30 word maximum rule," and if so, was that a problem?
    4. Did seeing the slides add anything to the presentation?
    5. Did the presentation have a satisfactory introduction and conclusion?
    6. Did the presenter try to cover too much in the time span?
    7. Did the presentation meet the needs of a novice user?
    8. Can you make any suggestion for improving the presentation?