On Simplifying Jargon in Presentations
As an orator, you have done all the homework, prepared non-text-heavy slides, and added animations, images, and examples. On top of everything, you have rehearsed your speech multiple times. But do you know who you will be presenting to? Your audience can be top-level executives or new recruits. Before heading to the podium, it is good to mull over your audience's domain knowledge and tailor jargon usage.
Jargon - to use or not
Communication, be it with your friends or a boss, is about carefully assessing your listeners' preferences. Thus, evaluate your audience to decide whether jargon is your friend or enemy.
1.??????Are they domain experts? For example, professors. In such a case, presenting with jargon is not a problem.
2.?????Are they a part of the domain but not experts? For example, colleagues. You may, then, want to simplify some jargon.
3.?????Are they out of your domain? For example, your juniors or a different team. Make your speech as simple as possible. Showcasing your knowledge is not the motive of any presentation; giving your audience valuable takeaways is.
Learn by examples
“Speaking over people’s heads may cost you a job or prevent you from advancing as far as your capabilities might take you otherwise”, said Carmine Gallo, communications coach.
Shedding away the weight of jargon is difficult. We all know this. After all, jargon is composed of many processes that may be difficult to explain otherwise. But losing your jargon can help you win over a na?ve audience. You can try thinking about your grandparent. If he were part of the audience, could he understand what you say?
Keeping jargon
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1. As a machine learning researcher, I conduct a comparative study of data-driven algorithms to land use/land cover classification of multispectral satellite data.
Simplifying jargon
Land use/land cover classification means classifying the areas covering a piece of land. For doing this classification, we need classifiers, someone to tell us which one is agricultural land vs barren land. I compare such classifiers and try to find out which one classifies the?best!
Keeping jargon
2. I developed an algorithm to enhance the contrast of an image based on standard deviation stretch.
Simplifying jargon
We have all edited our photos on our phones, right? If clicked in a poorly lit room, our photos may not look good. We, then, simply rush to a photo editor app and enhance the contrast. I developed an algorithm that does exactly?that.
Keeping jargon
3. To achieve your organization’s inclusion goals, use a metric-based approach.
Simplifying jargon
Companies want to have employees with diverse backgrounds. However, such a goal should be measurable.
Rehearsing your presentation speech while keeping your audience in mind will help you save their interest and attention. So, the next time you are up for the stage, remember to tailor the jargon and make everyone a part of your story!