Communicating science

Sample outline of 2-day workshop

Presenters/facilitators

Objectives

Workshop evaluation

Workshop preparation

Day 1

Day 2

Presenters/facilitators

2 presenters

3 reporters (one from TV, one from radio and one from print)

Objectives

1. To understand how to structure an effective presentation to meet both audience needs and your objectives

2. To develop some skills and confidence in delivering effective presentations

3. To apply principles of message-design to effective presentations

4. To understand the media and how it operates

5. To develop some skills and confidence in dealing with media interviews

6. To apply principles of message design to media management

Workshop evaluation

1. Reaction-based: workshop feedback sheet provided at end of workshop by Econnect and results collated

2. Learning: assessment of learning on an individual basis is provided throughout the workshop with both oral and written feedback.

3. Behavioural: individual feedback provided as skills are practised in the workshop; including individual feedback forms from Econnect.

Workshop preparation

We ask each workshop participant to prepare a short presentation (3 mins) about their work and to bring along one one potential media story idea. We supply participants with details of the venue and any other arrangements.

Please note the outline below is indicative only as we tailor each workshop according to the needs of participants, as determined at the beginning of the workshop.

Day 1

Introduction, outline and purpose of workshop

• The three sides to communication: content, style, visuals

• The characteristics of a good presentation versus a less successful one

Exercise 1: 3-minute presentation about their work, with feedback

Considering the audience

Exercise 2: Audience checklist

How to structure a good talk

• The 5-box presentation

• Exercise 3 (Give an introduction/conclusion for a talk) - recorded on video and replayed for comment and feedback
  

Lunch

Dealing with questions: the good, the bad and the ugly

Doing it with style

• Overcoming nerves

• Checking out the venue

• Exercise 4 Style exercise… recorded on video and replayed for comment and feedback

Visual aids: the dos and don’ts

Chairing a talk - some tips

Delivering the goods

Exercise 5: Short talks prepared in groups of 3-4 on selected topics according to 5-box template; one person will chair and one person will present

Feedback

Day 2

Introduction to the media

TV news

TV news journalist - presentation and discussion about what makes TV news stories work

• Demo interview with one participant on video

• Individual interviews on video while the group looks at:

Packaging a TV news story

Preparing the 'grab'

Print

Print media journalist – presentation and discussion about what major metro newspapers require to make a story work

Lunch

Media releases and shaping your story

Radio

• Radio journalist discusses the various formats of radio and what is required from radio to make a story work

• Demonstration interviews of news, program and current affairs interviews

• Individual interviews with radio journalist while rest of group looks at:

Participants' TV interviews

Controlling the agenda with radio

Dealing with more controversial/difficult interviews

What to do when the media comes unexpectedly to you

Recap on two days

Evaluation of workshop

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