Course: The Art of Effective Scientific Communication

Know your Audience

When most people sit down to write a research paper or create a poster board, the first thing they think about is - What do I want to say? Oddly enough, that isn't the first question you should be asking. Rather, the first question should always be - Who is my audience?

Why is it important to understand your audience first? Because, they will be receiving your message and you need to make sure that you deliver your message in the right manner so it can be received effectively. Have you ever sat through a presentation that was too technical? The terms are flying right over your head, people become bored, and as you look around the room, the glazed expressions staring back at you confirm that the speaker has lot their audience! At the same time, if a speaker gives a presentation that is too basic, the audience is frustrated because they aren't learning anything. They start to watch the time and wonder when they'll be able to sneak out, since their goals in being there were not met.

In this lesson you will begin by reading a couple interesting pieces on effective presentation skills. Then you will have a chance to create a checklist for your next presentation, to help you as you prepare.