What I Learned for Reading My First Paper at a Conference

This past weekend I read a paper at the OT in NT Seminar (conveniently) located in Durham.  As it was my first, I was very nervous, but the group is warm and encouraging and the criticisms were irenic and constructive.  That having been said, I can share some observations about what I saw regarding other papers and about my own experience.

1. Write a short enough paper that you feel the freedom to talk slowly.  Talk so slowly that it barely feels awkward- it won’t seem that way to the audience and they will appreciate it more.

2. Even if you wrote the paper with publication (as an article) in mind, try to excise lists of verses, facts and figures.  This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised.  If you need such information because it is essential to your argument, be sure and provide a handout.

3. Give the attendees a handout with an outline of your talk and the English (and Greek/Hebrew) of the main verses you are dealing with.  The outline will prevent anyone from feeling too lost in the paper, and also will let them see your rhetorical progression (which can only help you).

4. When you state a key sentence, feel free to stop and repeat it.  I didn’t do that, but a friend did and it was useful.

5. Always thank the chair and attendees for allowing your paper to be read and for coming to the session.  You never want to take for granted the privilege of reading your thoughts to others and receiving engagement.  A small percentage of the world is able to do this.

6. Have a pen with you when you read the paper – you will (not might) spot grammatical/spelling errors in your manuscript.

7. Have a notepad to jot down feedback from questions.  Also, make a note of who asked what questions.  If you don’t know them, try to meet them afterwards.  If they are well known, this could be notable when you publish the paper: ‘This essay originated as a paper read at [xyz conference] and I am particularly grateful for the feedback provided by [mrs. abc]”.  Is this self-serving…yes.  But, if its true that the feedback helped, then whats the big deal?

8. Refrain from getting defensive and hostile when you are asked questions.  Remember – you were approved to read this paper, so someone (or a group) agreed that what you had to say was worth hearing, right?  Is it OK to answer, ‘I don’t know’?  Well, as a PhD I would say it is not career breaking.  If you were a tenured professor, it is a bit more shameful.  Take a minute to think about what the person said.  Try to answer as best you can, but it is OK to say, ‘Thanks for the question.  I will have to think about that more.’  Also, in a short 30 minute paper, you cannot include every bit of evidence that supports your argument (usually).  Most people understand that.

9. At the bottom of a handout I provided, I put my blog address and made a link on the blog to the paper so the attendees could download it and read it over and email me more feedback.  This is becoming more popular and I welcome it.  The more feedback the better.

10. Perhaps it is a small thing, but have a bottle or glass of water on hand when you talk.  30-45 minutes of talking non-stop is taxing on the throat. Plus, the added pause is helpful for listeners.

11.  Have two copies of your talk – an extra just in case you spill water/food on your original.  Don’t risk it!

12. What if no one asks a question?  This is very unlikely, but you can have some questions ready for them.  Ask, did anyone feel that such and such a section was unnecessary?  Or, did anyone think that such and such a part was confusing?  Perhaps this will spur on their thoughts.

13. Some people feel free to deviate from their paper manuscript to explain something extra and give clarification. I would recommend avoiding this.  Digressions almost always eat more time than you think.  Next thing you know you went 10 minutes over into the next person’s paper.  tsk tsk tsk!

Also, remember two things – First, Doug Stuart used to say that only 10% of your job in preparing a lecture is actually preping the lecture material.  90% is being prepared for questions.  This is a good attitude to have for reading a paper.  Have your paper footnotes as additional evidence.  Second, and this will hopefully put your mind at ease, the Q & A time will not last much longer than 15 minutes.  After that, you are all done.  Treat yourself to Dinky Donuts – I did!