Presenting an Argument for Context, Purpose, and/or Audience Chapter Notes | AP Research – AP Students - Grade 11 PDF Download

Introduction

This chapter provides a comprehensive guide for preparing and delivering an effective presentation and oral defense for the AP Research exam, which accounts for 25% of the final AP score. It focuses on adapting a detailed research paper into a concise 15-minute presentation, emphasizing key elements like the research question, methodology, findings, and their implications. The chapter also covers slide design, presentation skills, audience-appropriate language, and strategies for handling the oral defense questions. By understanding the medium of presentation and tailoring content to the audience, students can effectively communicate their research while adhering to the College Board’s rubric. Additionally, the chapter highlights the importance of practice and offers tips for addressing the oral defense questions confidently.

Adapting The Argument 

As outlined by the College Board, your presentation should succinctly cover your research question, methodology, and findings, lasting approximately 15 minutes. Given that your final research paper is expected to be 4000-5000 words, delivering the entire paper verbatim would exceed the time limit and likely lead to disengagement. Thus, it's crucial to modify your argument from a written format to an engaging presentation format.

How can you achieve this?

Utilize the College Board's Presentation Rubric as a roadmap. The highest-rated presentations typically incorporate the following elements:

• The research question or project goal
• The research method
• The research findings, conclusions, or insights derived from your work
• An explanation of the implications or consequences drawn from your conclusions
• A discussion of how the research process informed your conclusions

Transitioning from paper to presentation format primarily involves selecting the most crucial points to convey.

Additionally, successful adaptation necessitates an awareness of the medium you are using. Presentations are inherently visual and auditory, as opposed to the text-heavy nature of papers. Consideration must be given to the visuals you include and your speaking style—elements that are less critical in written work.

A practical approach is to start by creating slides that outline your spoken content. Once you have a clear framework, you can eliminate excess text and incorporate visuals.

Slide Design Tips

• Always ask yourself as you go: Does this visual contribute to my audience's understanding?
• Utilizing a pre-formatted slide template can enhance consistency.
• Ensure you have permission for any images used; stock images are a safe choice.
• In addition to text and visuals, consider using tables and charts to present data, which can enhance audience engagement.
• Limit the amount of text on your slides; your audience will either read the slide or listen to you, but not both simultaneously.

While many AP Research presentations use PowerPoint, it's not the only option. As long as you meet the rubric criteria, you can choose any format that effectively conveys your argument. Outside of AP Research, you’ll notice that various arguments can be more impactful when presented through different mediums, such as videos or speeches.

Research Tip: If you're feeling uncertain, consider viewing recordings of other AP Research presentations online. This can provide you with valuable insights and ideas for your own presentation.

Presentation Skills

The presentation skills discussed in Big Idea 5 of AP Seminar will also apply here.

The primary distinction between presentations in AP Seminar and those in AP Research is their length. While having more time to present can be beneficial, it can also pose challenges in maintaining audience engagement throughout a longer duration.

Audience Appropriate Language and the Elements of Delivery

• Regardless of the presentation length, two critical aspects to keep in mind are using audience-appropriate language and mastering the elements of delivery.
• Your audience will likely comprise individuals from various disciplines, so it’s essential to use language that is accessible to them. This may involve defining specialized terms or simplifying complex concepts.
• Elements of delivery encompass various aspects of how you present, including your volume, pace, movement, eye contact, vocal variety, and overall energy. Each presenter has a unique style, and it’s crucial to use these elements to effectively communicate with your audience. For instance, it is often advised not to read directly from notecards or scripts, as this can create a barrier that hinders eye contact and audience engagement. The main goal is to foster effective communication.
• Always practice your presentation beforehand! It can be daunting to prepare a 15-minute talk, but even a single run-through will help you identify weak points and ensure your presentation fits within the time constraints. For additional practice, consider rehearsing in front of a camera (which only you need to view) or asking a peer to listen and provide feedback. The only way to improve your presentation skills is through practice and experience.

Oral Defense

Once your presentation concludes, you might feel relief, but your work isn't over yet! You will then proceed to the Oral Defense.

During the Oral Defense, you will answer 3-4 questions regarding your research and the process you undertook. Luckily, you will have access to these questions in advance, which are outlined below:

Oral Defense Questions

Research/Inquiry Process [Choices Made Throughout the Research Process]

1. How did your initial exploration of the scholarly conversation lead to your final research question/project goal?
2. How did your review of the methods used by scholars in the field inform your selection of a research method/process aligned with your research question/project goal?
3. How did the choices you made when designing or implementing your research method impact your research process?
4. How did you determine which results generated by your research method were most important in informing your new understanding?

Depth of Understanding [Relating Student Data/Results to the New Understanding]

1. How does your new understanding address a gap in the scholarly conversation?
2. How did the limitations of your method or data influence your new understanding?
3. What are the real-world implications or consequences related to your findings?
4. How do your findings provide directions for future research in the field?

Reflection Throughout the Inquiry Process [How the Inquiry Process Informs Growth and Self-Awareness as a Researcher]

1. Think back to the initial curiosity that sparked your inquiry. What other curiosities do you have, and how has this process prepared you to explore them?
2. How did you handle the uncertainty of the research process?
3. If you could revisit your research process, what would you do differently and why?
4. What was the most important research skill you developed as a result of this process, and how might you apply it to your future endeavors?
5. How did your expert adviser facilitate your deeper understanding of the research process? (Only asked if an expert adviser was involved.)

Take a moment to read through these questions and start brainstorming answers to them!

Tips for Success!

Here are some strategies to excel during your Oral Defense:

• It’s acceptable to ask for a moment to think or for the question to be repeated if unclear.
• Use one or two strong examples to keep answers clear and focused.
• Be confident in your choices and stand by them during the defense.

Key Terms

• Expert Adviser: An expert adviser is a knowledgeable individual in a specific field who provides guidance and insights to enhance decision-making and research. Their role often includes analyzing data, evaluating strategies, and offering tailored recommendations based on the context, purpose, and audience of the work.
• Findings: Findings are the results or conclusions derived from research, providing evidence that supports or contradicts a hypothesis. They are essential in forming arguments, as they offer data and insights that shape the narrative and persuasive elements of the research.
• Future Research: Future research refers to recommendations for additional studies that build upon current findings, addressing gaps or expanding understanding. It emphasizes ongoing inquiry and how results can inform further investigation, particularly in relation to specific contexts, purposes, and audiences.
• Limitations of Your Method or Data: Limitations refer to potential weaknesses in the research approach or data collection that may affect the validity of findings. Recognizing these limitations is crucial, as they can influence how arguments are presented and ensure conclusions are not overstated.
• Real-World Implications: Real-world implications denote the practical effects that theories or actions have on everyday life. This concept is vital when making arguments, as it clarifies how a viewpoint can influence real situations and behaviors among audiences.
• Research Process: The research process is a systematic series of steps researchers follow to investigate a specific question or problem, including identifying a topic, conducting literature reviews, formulating research questions, collecting data, and analyzing results. Understanding this process is essential for constructing persuasive arguments that resonate with various contexts, purposes, and audiences.
• Research Methodology: Research methodology refers to the structured approach and procedures used to conduct research, encompassing tools and principles guiding data collection and analysis. It directly connects to how arguments are presented by providing a framework for understanding context, purpose, and audience.
• Research Question: A research question is a clearly defined query that directs the focus of a study, serving as the foundation for inquiry. It establishes the context and purpose, guiding the research process and evaluation of evidence.
• Uncertainty of the Research Process: This refers to the unpredictability researchers encounter while conducting studies. Recognizing this uncertainty is crucial for effectively presenting arguments, as it shapes how findings are interpreted and communicated.