I can't help it, have to add more. If you've not done this before, a lot can be said in five minutes. A recommendation to assess how much you need to prepare is to find something fun to read. Read this aloud for five minutes and note how much text you should expect to deliver. This will save you pain in the writing process later. There's little worse than thinking you have five minutes of material to discover you only have three, that type of revision is painful. Write longer, it's easier to pare down an argument.
Although a lot can be said in five minutes, don't try to boil the ocean. Your thesis should be relatively simple with most of the content coming in the form of supporting arguments. Don't underestimate the power of addressing and dismissing anticipated disagreement as part of supporting your claim.
Over prepare. You shouldn't take anything more to the lectern than a couple 3x5 cards with an outline of major points. Nothing is worse for the audience than watching someone read from their notes, not to mention it gives the impression that you are unprepared and don't have a firm grasp of your own argument. Do not speak if you must reference your cards, quick navigational glance and get back to business.
If you are directly quoting someone, nail the quote verbatim with appropriate attribution. Quotes serve one or two purposes; invoking a widely recognized and accepted authority for a position you've already made or to invoke a unique and powerful turn of phrase. Finding something that satisfies both is a gem.
Although a lot can be said in five minutes, don't try to boil the ocean. Your thesis should be relatively simple with most of the content coming in the form of supporting arguments. Don't underestimate the power of addressing and dismissing anticipated disagreement as part of supporting your claim.
Over prepare. You shouldn't take anything more to the lectern than a couple 3x5 cards with an outline of major points. Nothing is worse for the audience than watching someone read from their notes, not to mention it gives the impression that you are unprepared and don't have a firm grasp of your own argument. Do not speak if you must reference your cards, quick navigational glance and get back to business.
If you are directly quoting someone, nail the quote verbatim with appropriate attribution. Quotes serve one or two purposes; invoking a widely recognized and accepted authority for a position you've already made or to invoke a unique and powerful turn of phrase. Finding something that satisfies both is a gem.
