THEA481
The Research Presentation and Research Presentation Paper
In this part of the project, you present your findings to your peers with the objective of expanding knowledge of the subject and clarifying the terms, ideas, means, methods, persons, groups, and development that relates to it. It contains two parts.
The first part, due after we finish the Rough Theatre unit, is the paper that will form the basis of your research presentation. Regardless of when you give your presentation, everyone's paper is due on the same date, Nov. 7. The second part is the presentation itself, which occurs on the day your subject arises in the course schedule.
Research Presentation Paper
This paper constitutes both the basis of your oral presentation of your research area and a basic draft of the content, but not necessarily the form, of parts one and two of your final paper. These parts are a) your research on the origin, theoretical bases, and formal characteristics of a late 20th-century theatre approach, and b) your examination and analysis of the work of specific artists and groups that have utilized such an approach.
Although the presentation paper must include nearly all of the information that will eventually form the first two parts of your final paper, you may compose the information in whatever form and order that you choose. It need not reflect the form of the final paper. The format is not the significant part of this paper; the content and citation of sources are. It may be as rough as your notes and analysis with citations divided into the categories with which you intend to work, or as complete as a rough draft of the first two parts of the final paper.
The paper must, however,
-be word-processed and proofread
-follow proper citation format
-include a works cited
-categorize the information into useful groupings
-order the categories into a logic of presentation
-include basic analysis (which will be developed further in the final paper) of the information gathered (significance, context, connections, relationship of means to theory and purposes, influences, etc.)
Both the paper and presentation must also:
-Present the major ideas and concepts of the area
-Present the kinds of theatrical means used in the area
-Clarify the relationship between the concepts and the means
-Present the significant arguments, problems, or questions in or about the area
-Present the historical development of the area
-Examine and analyze the work of specific artists/groups that have utilized the approach
-Present significant examples
Research Presentation
The objective of the research presentation is to clarify for your audience (which will have done only a basic reading on the area) the means, ideas, context, relationships, development, and significances of the subject. You're the expert. Your job is, therefore, to teach them. Keep in mind that people learn in different ways and often learn best when information is reinforced through a variety of means. You should choose at least one teaching aid in addition to direct oral presentation, although this/these may be simple. Complexity does not necessarily make for the most effective presentation. Clarity is key. Possibilities include:
1. Handouts
2. PowerPoint presentation
3. Video
4. Photographs
5. Audio
6. Live demonstration
7. Q&A
8. Class participation/involvement
9. Whatever other effective means you can dream up
Whatever method(s) you choose, leave a short time at the end of the presentation for questions. The presentation must be at least 10 minutes long and no longer than 15. This includes time for set up.
Your presentation can deviate slightly from the order in which you presented the information in your paper and must reflect its content. It should cover as much of that content as possible, although it is not expected, and probably not possible, to cover it all. Therefore, choose judiciously what is most important to cover.
I recommend that you include a handout of some kind for your peers, since note-taking is often incomplete and inaccurate, as well as a distraction from your presentation.