Delivery

Publisher Summary Delivery is important in establishing the impact of a scientific presentation on the audience, and speaking skills can be the determining factors for success in scientific careers. Effective use of voice, pause, stress position, eye contact, posture, gestures, and enthusiasm contribute to the stage presence of a speaker and distinguish a routine presentation from a memorable one. The force of delivery may make the difference between whether or not a job offer can be got and whether or not a grant proposal is approved. It is the delivery and not the content that makes the last impression. Being a confident and powerful speaker is not only a talent but also a skill that can be acquired. The characteristics of delivery in terms of voice control can be separated into several interrelated properties: sound, volume, speed, and intonation. This chapter discusses the challenges for non-native English speakers along with the ways to deal with them. Genuine enthusiasm accounts for 90 percent of the speaker's success, and slowing down the rate of speech is the remedy for 90 percent of most speakers' problems, while monotony is the greatest enemy of a scientific presentation. Articulation and eye contact are the two most important components of voice projection. Take the time to articulate every word of each sentence clearly, while maintaining eye contact with the audience. Nervous and hurried speech leads to inaccurate articulation. Restating conclusions or reminding the audience of a conclusion reached earlier in the talk, which serves as a basis for additional arguments, is an effective means of emphasizing important aspects of the presentation's content.