Class 2, Science and storytelling

lecture slides

Photograph: typeweight

Scientists and engineers - and everyone else for that ma!er - have communicated about complex ma!ers for centuries without hierarchical bullet outlines.”

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—Edward Tu"e

Slides of text (outlines, lists, sentences) make up 75% of all visuals. An e#ective text slide can highlight important concepts, sequences; poorly designed text slides can frustrate and confuse the audience.”

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Bullet points lack agency.”“—Edward Tu"e

Photograph: Bob Daemmrich

Photograph: Russ Campbell

Photograph: hi!hatswitch

I think people have to stand up and say,

you know, you’re an idiot.”“

—Scientist

Kenichiro Mogi and the wonder of science

This is really interesting, isn’t it?

I’m really ashamed to show you all this.

This is the Holy Grail of neuroscientists today.

The great ocean of truth is always before us.

audience

slides

Outline•Introduction•Statement of problem•Data•Methods•Results•Conclusion

How long can you expect to keep your audience’s attention?

Photograph: Tamás Mészáros

In jazz, in the jazz club, a soloist is allowed maybe three or four verses to warm up his solo, so he makes this organic curve, and he’s allowed to wander around and find this avenue and then je!ison that and go somewhere else.

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”-- Sting

In rock music,you have to burn from the first bar.“ ”

-- Sting

When it comes to mass communications, it’s as simple as two things: arouse and fulfill.

You need to first arouse your audience and get them interested in what you have to say; then you need to fulfill their expectations.”

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—Tom Hollihan

What is science?

Charles Anderson Dragonflies that cross oceans

What’s the main question or theme?

Are there ‘mysteries’ that arouse your interest?

Is there a strong take-away point?

Are any of these ideas ‘sticky’?

Outline•Introduction•Statement of problem•Data•Methods•Results•Conclusion

XO

“reverse-engineer” the structure

Photograph: abbey*christine

Exercise!Write a haiku that encapsulates the main idea of one of your research projects.

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5

Photograph: Dave Meko

trees thirst for water.if their roots drink from summer,

another tale told.