CAMWS Guide for Presenters
Purpose and Scope
In recent years the meetings of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South (CAMWS) have become a popular forum for classicists to make their first major professional presentation, whether as junior faculty members at a college or university, as secondary or elementary school teachers, as graduate students, or even as undergraduates. The present Guide was commissioned by the CAMWS Executive Committee to provide practical assistance, not only to first-time presenters, but also to experienced speakers who have never attended a CAMWS meeting. The Guide does not address questions of content but concentrates on protocol (etiquette) and mechanics.
It is the policy of the organization that all presenters must be current members of CAMWS and must register for the meeting at which they give a paper. It is also CAMWS policy that submission of an abstract represents a commitment to present in person or to find someone else to present it, should compelling circumstances prevent attendance at the meeting. Skyping and other forms of proxy technology are not considered appropriate alternatives to presenting in person.
1. Composition
Before submitting an abstract you should consider seriously whether or not the topic will make a suitable and effective oral presentation. Some topics just do not lend themselves to a fifteen- or twenty-minute spoken presentation. Your ideas and evidence may be solid, but if you cannot make them understood in this format, you will not make a good impression or convince your audience.
Make sure that you provide all the information required when you submit your abstract, especially if you are requesting audio-visual equipment, since it must be rented at considerable expense. Do not request equipment unless you will definitely use it, and do not expect equipment that you did not request to be provided for you at the last moment. If your equipment needs should change suddenly in the weeks before the meeting, notify the organizers immediately.
Although scholarly writing varies greatly from one area to another, a few considerations apply in general. First and foremost, bear in mind that there is a great difference between an effective oral presentation and a good article written for print. Keep your talk free of undefined terminology unless you are very sure of the expertise of your audience. Avoid quoting a large amount of Greek and Latin, for it is extremely difficult to follow. Either put such passages on a handout or precede them with a clear translation. PowerPoint presentations can be effective, but you must be prepared for the technology to fail or the electricity to go off. Always have a Plan B, e.g., a fully written script that you can read without electronic accompaniment.
2. Preparation
A handout is often a good idea, especially if you wish to draw attention to textual material, bibliography, or visual details. Since the handout is a scholarly contribution for which you are accountable and deserve credit, you should include on it your name, address, and the title and session of your talk. Keep the handout short, relevant to the topic being covered, and easily understood. Number the passages and refer to them as you speak. Include only essential bibliography. Make sure that the handout is legible and leave white space for notes. Bring a sufficient number of copies (generally c. 50). For samples of materials shared at previous meetings, see this list of Presentation Materials (Handouts, Powerpoints, etc.) from Previous Meetings. See also these Guidelines for Preparing Presentation Materials (Handouts, Powerpoints, etc.) for the CAMWS meeting.
Practice your completed oral presentation at least once in front of a live audience. Listeners at the level of expertise you expect to encounter will provide the best barometer of the effectiveness of your argumentation. Spouses, pets, and cinder-block walls can help you judge the speed and length of delivery. Above all, make certain that your paper will be (not just can be) delivered within the time allotted. About eight double-spaced pages can be read in fifteen minutes at an understandable pace. If possible, aim for making the paper short by a couple of minutes. No one has ever been criticized for taking less than the allotted time, but presiders are requested to hurry or even cut off speakers who exceed their limit. It is both unfair and rude to the other speakers in the session when one person takes more than his or her share of time.
A presider should contact you in advance with information about the session and a request for biographical information to use for introducing you. Respond promptly with the information requested. Submitting a proposal is a professional commitment to register for and to attend the meeting and to deliver the paper as accepted and in person. If for any reason you cannot, you must immediately notify the presider and provide an explanation to the organizers. At a minimum arrange to have someone else deliver the paper; anything less is unprofessional.
The abstracts for your session will be posted on the CAMWS website. Read these and prepare potential questions for the discussion that will take place during the session.
It is also possible for you to post your handout, Powerpoint and other materials related to your presentation on the CAMWS website. This will insure that all attendees, as well as others unable to attend, have access to this material.
3. A/V Needs
More and more professional papers require the use of audio-visual resources. Be sure that you have properly informed the CAMWS office of your needs and confirm your needs with your presider prior to the meeting . Be sure to come prepared with a back-up plan in case this technology does not work. Please remember that you should be prepared to use your own laptop for your presentation.
4. Delivery
Well in advance of your talk, check the room in which it will be delivered to make certain that it has everything you need. If you are using a digital projector, verify that the connection with your laptop computer works. Meet with the presider and the other presenters at least ten minutes before the session. Arrange for someone who will distribute your handouts as you are being introduced by the presider; normally presenters are happy to do this for each other. Sit with the other presenters near the front.
Once you begin speaking, remember that this is an oral presentation; make every effort to hold your audience by maintaining eye contact, modulating your voice, and employing a lively delivery. Do not attempt to compensate for a long text by reading fast. Be sure to use the microphone provided even if you think your natural voice is audible. Also, clearly indicate when you are finishing.
It is crucial that you keep within your time limit. After your talk, if time permits, the presider will invite questions or comments from the audience. The presider is in charge of calling on individuals and managing the discussion. You should answer briefly and to the point; if a lengthy response is necessary, offer to meet with the questioner after the session ends. Remain at the podium until the presider brings the discussion to a close.
Stay for the entire session. It is extremely rude for a presenter to leave before hearing the other presenters. If there is some compelling reason for you to leave early, inform the presider ahead of time.
5. Inability to Attend
Please keep in mind that you agreed to the following when you submitted your abstract to CAMWS: Submission of this proposal represents a commitment by me to deliver my paper, if it is accepted, in person at the CAMWS Annual Meeting. Should compelling circumstances prevent me from attending, I agree to pay the registration fee for at least one day of the meeting and to find an attendee who will deliver my paper for me. I understand that using Skype or any other form of proxy technology is an unacceptable alternative to presenting in person.
Additional recommended Best Practices:
- Require those who ask questions or offer points for discussion to identify themselves.
- Consider the possibility that persons in the audience may be blind. Allow ample time when referring to a visual aid or handout or when pointing out the location of materials. Briefly describe the materials.
- If there are interpreters present, ask speakers to maintain a direct line of sight with them as they speak.
- Avoid speaking from a darkened area of the room. The audience should have a direct and clear view of the speaker's mouth and face.
- When a projector or other device is not being used, turn it off to eliminate background noise.
- Ensure that anyone who is speaking, including audience members, use a microphone, or repeat questions or comments from the audience using your microphone.
- Ensure good timekeeping and avoid last-minute program changes to allow easy return for those who may miss part of the conference.
- Ensure that any discussion that exceeds the time limit is marked as optional and be aware that participants may need to leave immediately even if they have not informed you in advance.