Often, STEM speakers wonder if their audience is absorbing their message.

An engaged audience typically means they understand your message and are considering whether your narrative can help them address a challenge in their personal or professional life.

Below are three detailed ways STEM speakers can engage their audience without relying on visualization:

Frame Content Around Audience-Relevant Problems

Instead of diving directly into technical detail, begin by framing the problem in terms that the audience cares about — efficiency, cost savings, safety, or societal impact.

Use metaphors and analogies that the audience can relate to. As human beings, we continually strive to make sense of the world by comparing our current experiences to past ones.

Frame these metaphors and analogies around the frustrations your audience is experiencing concerning your topic. Then propose solutions to these frustrations with real-life examples you have experienced.

Relevance increases attention because people are more likely to listen when the content connects to their own goals or challenges.

There are a thousand different things people are thinking about, even when they attend your presentation. Hopefully, your audience is attending because they are interested in your subject.

However, if you can focus your presentation on addressing your audience’s frustrations related to your topic and providing solutions to those frustrations, you will have a “captive” audience. You will be giving them exactly what they want. You should always strive for this.

Research in communication science shows that framing technical messages in terms of audience values boosts engagement and retention.

Doing this is a sure winner.

Framing your presentation content around audience-relevant problems is one effective way to engage your audience.

Another is incorporating storytelling and narrative structure.

Incorporate Storytelling and Narrative Structure

Even in technical fields, humans are wired to respond to stories.

If you could record the conversations of STEM professionals during their workday, you would find that they more often than not involve stories about technical issues. They may be technical stories, but they are still stories.

Humans are “wired” for stories. This may date back to prehistoric times, when the primary method of communication was storytelling.

Sharing a narrative about how a problem was discovered, the challenges faced, and the eventual solution makes abstract data concrete and emotionally resonant.

Like sharing stories about our personal lives, STEM professionals also need to tell the stories of how they solved their technical challenges.

A story arc (setup, conflict, resolution) creates anticipation and curiosity.

Studies confirm that storytelling enhances recall and emotional connection, even in technical communication.

The presentation messages of STEM speakers should demonstrate the impact of the message on the audience.

This impact should be delivered through stories, whether the STEM speakers share their own experiences or those of others. Your own stories are the best because you have instant credibility. You are in the story.

The best stories are acted out, incorporating dialogue and distinct voices for each character.

Framing your presentation content around audience-relevant problems and incorporating storytelling and narrative structure are two effective ways to engage your audience.

A third approach is to use interactive questions and dialogue.

Use Interactive Questions and Dialogue

Breaking the one-way lecture style with questions—rhetorical or direct—keeps audiences mentally engaged.

The average adult can maintain attention for twenty (20) minutes. This means you need to change your presentation format every twenty (20) minutes.

Asking non-rhetorical questions of your audience may be the best format to change to after your brief lecture. The answers you receive and the dialogue you have with audience members will give you a good idea of whether your audience is getting your message.

If the answers to your questions are not the answers you expect, you need to change your narrative and how you deliver “on the fly.”

Questions like, “How many of you have struggled with this issue? Can you describe your struggle and what you did about it?” invite participation and signal that the audience’s perspective matters.

Encourage dialogue between you and audience members, as well as among audience members. Remember, though, you are the moderator of the discussions. You may need to bring the discussion back to your message if it strays too far.

Research indicates that interactive dialogue fosters active processing and enhances both engagement and learning outcomes in technical education and communication.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with your audience.

Three effective ways to engage your audience are (1) framing your presentation content around audience-relevant problems, (2) incorporating storytelling and narrative structure, and (3) using interactive questions and dialogue.

These three ways to engage your audience are not foolproof, but they will give you the best chance of engaging your audience to the fullest extent possible.

Don’t suffer through your presentation with a disinterested audience. Don’t accept an apathetic audience. “Stir the pot.”

It is your responsibility as the technical speaker to ensure your audience starts engaged and remains that way.

Call to Action

• Begin your presentations by framing the problem in terms that matter to the audience.

• To the greatest extent possible, deliver your presentation in the form of stories. Humans are “wired” for stories.

• Ask relevant, non-rhetorical questions of your audience to gather valuable feedback on whether they are effectively absorbing your message.

References

• Nisbet, M. C., & Scheufele, D. A. (2009). What’s next for science communication? Promising directions and lingering distractions. American Journal of Botany, 96(10), 1767–1778.

• Dahlstrom, M. F. (2014). Using narratives and storytelling to communicate science with non-expert audiences. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(Supplement_4), 13614–13620.

• Freeman, S., et al. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(23), 8410–8415.>/p>

Being a confident, engaging, and effective STEM speaker is a vital personal and professional asset. With more than 40 years of engineering experience and more than 30 years of award-winning public speaking experience, I can help you reduce your presentation preparatory time by 50%, overcome your fear of public speaking and be completely at ease, deliver your presentations effectively, develop your personal presence with your audience; and apply an innovative way to handle audience questions deftly.

Working closely with you, I provide a customized protocol employing the critical skills and tools you need to create, practice, and deliver excellent STEM speeches and presentations. Let’s connect and explore how I can help you become the exceptional speaker you were meant to be. Please reach out to me at frank@speakleadandsucceed.com or 703-509-4424 for a complimentary consultation. Schedule a meeting with me at calendly.com/frankdibartolomeospeaks