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[axisdenied]

I noticed in the thread 'things that bug you about conferences'  someone suggested people who read their papers. So: reading papers - always a no-no, or is it ever acceptable (e.g. in certain disciplines/situations)?

I confess, I am a reader. I hate giving papers (I tend to find the process extremely anxiety-inducing), so I like to have the whole thing in front of me, in case my mind goes blank. Any other readers?

[husqvarna]

I need to write out what I present at a conference, too.  However, I think there is a difference between this and reading a paper that you're submitting to a journal without at all adapting it for conference presentation.  I hate it when someone reads a paper and flips back and forth, interjecting things like "okay, I'm going to skip this section" or "and here I note x, y, z", or "and then I basically explain [shortened version of the argument]".  I think that reading from a paper is fine as long as some thought has been put into it about how you're going to share the paper at the conference.  There's obviously not enough time to write a stellar oration for every conference on top of whatever other work you're doing, but it's important to at least recognize that sharing a paper in particular venues requires some tweeking.  That could just mean actually reading through the article and crossing out a few sentences or paragraphs beforehand, so you can find a shortened, simpler flow.  I don't think you need to work independent of podium and script, the script just needs to be right for the occasion.

[abu_fletcher]

I can't read out loud.  Seriously, I can't do it.  I get dizzy.  So I always do my presentations in an extemporaneous fashion (just as I lecture).  

That doesn't, however, mean that I just stand there and wing it.  Normally I prefer to work to a minimal powerpoint.  The primary purpose of the PP is to show images and run media clips that support my claims.  And of course it reminds me where I am in the talk.

On the other hand, during my last presentation I actually did have a full paper laid out in front of me.  But I had gone through the paper with a highlighter and a red pen marking out the key phrases that I wanted to use in my talk.  That way I get some of the precisions and elegance of written language but don't get bogged down in heavy syntax.  

I've seen other presenters use a large font "mini-paper" that they can glance down at without really reading it.

I'd love to hear other people's tips for "reading without reading."  

[empyrean_aisles]

I'd love to hear other people's tips for "reading without reading."  

Me too. Tips for how one can move from looking-only-at-the-paper-in-front-of-you to discoursing comfortably while casually strolling in front of your rapt audience?

[wegie]

I'd love to hear other people's tips for "reading without reading." 

Me too. Tips for how one can move from looking-only-at-the-paper-in-front-of-you to discoursing comfortably while casually strolling in front of your rapt audience?

Practice. Lots and lots of practice. Try it in front of a mirror at home (not recommended in the presences of spouses, in-laws or offspring, though). Do dry runs of the paper at university seminars and have your friends hiss at you when you start looking down fixedly at the paper (we cured a colleague of saying "OK?" at the end of every sentence this way).

Also, does your university pay for professional development? If so, ask for the dosh to go on an effective speaking course. When you get back, your payback to the department and your fellows is to demonstrate what you learned by telling them how t odo it as well.

[bibliothecula]

In my field, reading is expected and non-reading presentations are seen as poorly prepared or disrespectful.

But I've done both. Practice with a friend who always presents and never reads.

[iomhaigh]

I'd love to hear other people's tips for "reading without reading."  

Me too. Tips for how one can move from looking-only-at-the-paper-in-front-of-you to discoursing comfortably while casually strolling in front of your rapt audience?

1. 14 or 16 point font
2. paragraph breaks at page breaks
3. do not staple the pages together, but have big page numbers up top
4. edit it so that you only have the text you are going to read on the pages
5. practice for weeks in advance
6. time yourself, and shoot for the middle of the given range (10-15 minutes = 12:30 in practice.  You'll be faster, likely, in delivery, and everyone will love you for keeping it short.)
7. have a glass of water
8. practice in front of people and alone
9. If needed, add visual emphasis to the words that you want to emphasize to remind yourself
10. Along with nine, put in pauses where needed [pause here]
11. Put in cues for slides, etc. in bold & brackets

From one panicky paper reader to another.  (I'm in field where you are supposed to read, albeit read effectively.)

[stratagem_007]

I find it important to vary the tone. And get a good sleep the night before. But varying the tone is everything.

I read, but the text has to feel like a speech rather than a paper submitted to a journal. The style should be only one step up from conversational.

8-10 pages, 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1'' margins. That much will carry you for 15 minutes at a leisurely pace, allowing you to enunciate everything clearly, draw out phrases, and pausing for drinks of water, gestures, expressions, etc. Anyway, once you have that length, increase the font size by two points to make it readable from a lectern.

Avoid big words and general pomposity at all costs, and be forthcoming. Tell your audience within the first 60 seconds what you want to say, and why it needs to be said. Then say it, and in the last 60 seconds, tell them what you have just finished saying.

[castafiore]

From what I understand, it depends on your discipline. Mine is a reading discipline. I have rarely seen anyone not reading their paper....mind you, it makes for some dull presentations, but hey, at least we preserve the pithiness of the prose! At all costs!

[abu_fletcher]

In my particular sub-field (conversation analysis) papers are highly technical so nearly everyone uses a powerpoint to display the transcript of the talk being analyzed and video still.  We are also expected to play sound and/or video clips.  So it in this sort of work it's really more about trying to get the audience to see what you've seen than saying things eloquently. 

[sunny_side_up]

In my field, reading is expected and non-reading presentations are seen as poorly prepared or disrespectful.

But I've done both. Practice with a friend who always presents and never reads.

That is funny!! In my field "reading" is almost unheard of. Everybody uses Powerpoint presentations and speaks freely. "Reading" would be seen as poorly prepared or disrespectful. The only time you see someone reading (VERY rarely) is some Japanese guy who doesn't speak ENglish. It is expected that the presentation is different from the submitted paper.

[spork]

PowerPoint, ugh.  I make outlines and practice.  While giving my talk, I play with small plastic dinosaurs to illustrate my points.

[abu_fletcher]

While giving my talk, I play with small plastic dinosaurs to illustrate my points.

Was the that the presentation I just saw entitled:  "New perspectives on paleontology and Noah's Ark?"

[untenured]

In my field, reading is expected and non-reading presentations are seen as poorly prepared or disrespectful.

But I've done both. Practice with a friend who always presents and never reads.

In my field, if a presenter word-for-word read her paper it would be considered a really bad presentation.  Probably an insult, actually.  Even the clunkiest of speakers among us don't read off the page.

For those of you in fields that do this ... why?

I know different fields have different customs but this one I never understood.  What purpose does it serve to read a paper word-for-word at a conference?  If a paper is being read word-for-word, then there's no reason to present it.  There's no added value.  There's no explanation beyond the text.

Heck, why not just give people copies of the paper and go straight to the questions.  Perhaps if the conference has a large segment of blind attendees, sure.  Other than that though I can't see the benefit.

Untenured

[abu_fletcher]

What purpose does it serve to read a paper word-for-word at a conference? 

I agree.  This is usually (virtually always) horrible.  Except that ONE time.  Oh, man!  The speaker had a voice to absolutely die for and the delivery was so polished that I actually wished it would go on and on.  I swear even the speaker's sips of water must have been strategically planned for their impact.  Every person in the audience sat there with rapped attention.

I have no memory whatsoever of the content of this presentation.  But I sure wish I could speak like this!