Fascinating. I’ve recently been pondering a gut feeling just like what this study indicates. There is a certain raw power in the spoken word (or for that matter, the written word). But dribbling them out together seems to diminish the impact of both.
Yeah it makes sense and i would tend to agree.
I am a university science research-lecturer of 30 years duration and I have made all the lecture mistakes over the years and occasionally gotten a few right. I have gradually gotten to where I tend to put up a a power point slide symposis sentence (sometimes potentially provocative) and then verbally explain-justify the statement/conclusion in some detail after the slide’s simple concept has sunk in. Then alternately, I will use a clear and hopefully dramatic image or striking graph and say very little (hoping-it the picrture speaks for itself). Having both visual/verbal emphasis forms periodically within the talk seems to help minimize the nodding off based on my highly unscientific observations from the podium (seeing whe whole range of possible reactions over the years). Complex diagrams with lot of accompanying podium verbiage is pretty deadly. IF I am for some reason forced into that senario, then I at least try to end with a simply stated take-home point knowing that is all anyone would remember at best.
Fortunately, its not rocket science—well that is unless it actually is rocket science.
Agreed. The worst presentation is to have someone read material that they already have displayed on screen. PP text should be minimal, just the outline of the presentation--the speaker's notes. It's also effective to put in visuals and explain them.
There’s also (for me, at least) the knowledge that I could read what the guy’s reading to me a LOT faster than he can read it. That irks me as well.