What I Learned for Reading My First Paper at a Conference

Last updated on: April 3, 2007 at 8:59 pm by Nijay Gupta

What I Learned for Reading My First Paper at a Conference 2007-04-03T20:59:43-08:00 Nijay Gupta

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

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!

OT in the NT

PhD advice

Previous Post

April 1, 2007

Some advice for doctoral students from a wise scholar

Next Post

April 3, 2007 Shipping your personal books to England

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category (Mis)Understanding Philippians 10 Things I Can't Live Without 2023 New Books 30 OT HB Scholars to Read and Follow 5 Books Series 50-2-Follow Academia Christian Theologians to Read and Follow Cruciform Scripture: Contributor Reflections Crux Sola TV Editors Behind Great Books in NT Studies Education Gendering the Holy Spirit Gupta FB Live Lectures In Faith and Doubt In Their Own Words Living the King Jesus Gospel My Top 6 OT Commentaries New Testament Resource Guide New Word Biblical Themes Nijay's A Very Library Christmas Shopping Guide Notes from an Editor Notes on New Books NTRG OT in the NT Paul Seminary Now The Bible in God's World The Word Felt Among Us SPENCER Translating Philippians Uncategorized Why I Use Accordance Women in Ministry

Select a Month March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 May 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz