Undergraduate Philosophy Conference
Guidelines for Presenters
Relax! This may be a new experience, but you will be talking with interested (and interesting) people about something to which you have given a lot of thought.
Unless otherwise specified, you will be given 20 minutes to present your paper. As a rule, it is far better to present than read. If you have ever had to suffer through a "talk" in which someone simply read prepared remarks (stumbling over their own sentences), you will know exactly what we mean.
You may wish to prepare an outline or note cards to guide your presentation and keep you on track. Many students find that marking up a manuscript with a highlighter and marginal notes works equally well.
Practice your presentation in advance. Be sure to time yourself. (Remember, you may have to cut some sections to allow adequate presentation of more important material.) You may want to enlist the aid of a patient and honest friend, videocamera, or taperecorder.
Arrive a few minutes before your session begins. Introduce yourself to the other participants. Make sure you understand the gestures the session chair will use to signal time (see Guidelines for Session Chairs).
As a courtesy to the other speakers, you are expected to be present for and participate in the entire session to which you have been assigned.
Above all, have fun!
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