presentations

Prompted by a search about Trellis Graphics, I'm now reading a page on Edward Tufte's website about presentations and presentation software. There're comments by various people. Some are interesting.

Sarah Green emphasizes the usefulness and uniqueness of a large blackboard. But, alas, they're out of fashion nowadays and are simply nonexistent in many conference settings!

David Glover: [On handouts:] I like to hand them personally to students as they arrive at a lecture, especially if it's the first or only lecture I'm giving to a particular group. Good idea.

Tufte advocates giving out handouts before the talk. Some disagree, concerned that they are a distraction. But I would prefer handing out in advance. If the speech is not captivating, nothing can prevent the audience from reading "alternative" materials, as one admits to have been bringing to every event.

Tufte recommends an essay from the Chronicle of Higher Education, The Scholarly Lecture: How to Stand and Deliver.

I didn't finish the page. The comments started in 2001 and continue to this day. It should be worth a look.