Academic Oral Assignments at IU

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of using a mirror when rehearsing an oral assignment?

To convert PowerPoint presentation to PDF

To practice rhetorical features

To receive direct feedback on the content

To act as a training partner (correct)

How long does an oral assignment typically last?

30 minutes

60 minutes

10 minutes

15 minutes (correct)

What is the weightage of the core parts of the presentation in the overall grade?

40 percent

50 percent

60 percent

70 percent (correct)

What should you do with your PowerPoint presentation before uploading it to the Bongo tool?

Convert it to a PDF file Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a characteristic of an oral assignment?

It includes a discussion at the end Signup and view all the answers

Where can you find further guidelines and specifications for an oral assignment?

In the Exam Guide in myCampus Signup and view all the answers

What should students avoid when creating visuals for a presentation if audience response is uncertain?

Experimenting with visuals Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of verbal communication is NOT mentioned as essential for being perceived as convincing?

Volume Signup and view all the answers

Why is good breathing important during a presentation?

It maintains an adequate speaking speed. Signup and view all the answers

What does a speaker's good posture communicate to the audience?

Confidence Signup and view all the answers

Which non-verbal signal can be used to trigger emotions in the audience?

Facial expressions Signup and view all the answers

How should good speakers use hand gestures during a presentation?

They should accompany and support spoken content. Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended practice to check posture and gestures prior to a presentation?

Standing in front of a large mirror Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT contribute to a successful presentation?

Fatigue Signup and view all the answers

What should a speaker practice to ensure effective communication?

Consolidating non-verbal signals Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the recommended uses of emphasis in speech?

Changing speed and intonation Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the training that Maike completed at the RheCom Academy?

Learning effective rhetoric and communication Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is emphasized as equally important to the spoken word in presentations?

Body language and non-verbal communication Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental skills are highlighted for successful oral assignments?

Technical know-how and presentation visuals Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect of preparing for an oral assignment according to the content?

Practicing and preparing thoroughly Signup and view all the answers

What do the evaluation criteria for presentations typically assess?

The effectiveness of body language and visual elements Signup and view all the answers

Why is Maike preparing for the bachelor colloquium?

To become persuasive in presenting scientifically-founded connections Signup and view all the answers

What role do supporting visuals play in an oral presentation?

They help to communicate methodological and technical know-how Signup and view all the answers

What common challenge did Maike face before her training?

Fear of public speaking and stage fright Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the introduction in a presentation?

To grab the audience's attention and outline the subject Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT considered a mandatory part of the presentation structure?

Executive summary Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided when designing PowerPoint slides?

Overloading slides with too much information Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of supporting visuals in a presentation?

To complement and enhance verbal content Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is essential for maintaining the audience's attention during the body of the presentation?

Using a common thread throughout the content Signup and view all the answers

In creating PowerPoint presentations, what is recommended for the management of slide transitions?

Providing a verbal description before showing an image Signup and view all the answers

How should arguments be concluded in the presentation?

By synthesizing the presented information Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in the title slide of a presentation?

The research topic and presenter's name Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the body of the presentation?

A structured and engaging presentation of the topic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a principle to follow when creating slides?

Messages should replace generic headlines Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Academic Work at IU: Oral Assignments

The goal of an oral assignment is to present work content with appropriate and appealing visuals to share methodological and technical know-how with the audience.
Oral assignments are used to demonstrate independent work on an academic topic and to showcase research in an understandable and accessible way for the audience.

Objectives and Procedures

Clearly state the research topic and relevant literature at the beginning of the presentation.
Present and theoretically substantiate one's own work within the given framework in a visually appealing way for the target audience.
The presentation should have a straightforward outline and be completed within the given time allowed.

Structure of an Oral Assignment

Title slide, outline, introduction, body, conclusion, list of figures/tables (if necessary), and bibliography are the basic components of an oral assignment.
The introduction identifies the subject, its limitations, and the outline of the presentation to follow.
The body of the presentation should have a common thread woven throughout, with contents following academic standards.
The conclusion serves to draw one's own conclusions based on an independent analysis of the subject matter and provide new perspectives if necessary.

Supporting Visuals

Visuals should support the factual presentation and be designed according to four principles:
- Visuals help foster understanding, but they are never an end in themselves.
- Messages should be used instead of headlines, with each slide dealing with one core topic at a time.
- A verbal description should be given before an image is shown, ensuring a common thread throughout the PowerPoint presentation.
- PowerPoint slides should be readable and not overloaded with too much information.

Rhetoric and Appearance

Verbal and non-verbal communication, including posture, convey an impression of credibility.
Four key aspects of verbal communication are:
- Voice: speaking in an individual speech pattern conveys an authentic sound.
- Pronunciation (articulation): clarity of pronunciation is important for comprehensibility.
- Emphasis (accentuation): varying voice to suit what is being said brings a presentation to life.
- Breathing: good breathing is necessary for effortless speech and maintains an adequate speaking speed.

Non-Verbal Communication

Posture and appearance contribute to a successful presentation, with good speakers paying attention to their posture and appearance.
Gestures should accompany and support a presentation, with good speakers aware of their hand gestures and using them in a targeted manner.
Facial expressions can be used consciously to indicate and trigger emotions, but caution is needed as they can also reveal true thoughts.
Eye contact must be established between the speaker and the audience, even in online presentations.

Formal Requirements and Evaluation Criteria

Oral assignments are recorded using the Bongo tool, with information on how to register and use the tool described in the Bongo user manual.
The presentation should last 15 minutes, with the speaker taking care to stay in time.
A PowerPoint presentation must be converted into a PDF file before uploading to the Bongo tool.
The core parts of the presentation (introduction, structure, quality of argument, and conclusion) equal 70% of the grade, while rhetorical features and supporting visuals equal 30%.

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Description

This quiz covers the objectives and procedures of oral assignments at Indiana University, including presenting research topics and literature in an appealing and accessible way.