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Math 190: Communicating Mathematics

Due October 14 or 16 for a total of 50 points

Description. Deliver a blackboard talk on your Paper lasting no more than eight minutes, followed by two minutes for questions. This presentation will convey the context of your result along with an example, a clear statement of the theorem, and an outline of the proof. A strong emphasis in grading will be placed on the clarity of exposition and the quality of the presentation.

The instructor will choose speakers randomly, with no assigned presentation days. Everyone must be ready to present on October 14.

Rubric

Content 12 points

12 points
The Talk conveys the context of the result, works an example, states the theorem clearly, and outlines the proof.
8 points
The Talk covers the context, the example, the statement, and the proof, but one of them is rushed or too slight to serve its purpose.
4 points
The Talk states its theorem with no usable example, or gives no sense of how the proof goes.
0 points
The Talk does not present the mathematics of the Paper.

Clarity 15 points

15 points
The Talk is pitched at its audience, and every classmate comes away understanding what the theorem says and why it is true.
10 points
The Talk can be followed throughout, though a passage or two loses part of the audience.
5 points
Only the students already familiar with the material can follow the Talk.
0 points
The Talk is unintelligible to its audience.

Delivery 15 points

15 points
The speaker is audible and unhurried, addresses the room rather than the board, writes legibly, and leaves standing what the audience needs to see. The speaker responds thoughtfully to questions, acknowledging uncertainty when needed.
10 points
The delivery is sound, but one aspect works against it: speaking to the board, erasing too early, writing illegibly, setting a pace the audience cannot keep, or giving unclear responses to questions.
5 points
The audience has to work to stay with the speaker, the board is of little help in following the argument, or responses fail to address the questions asked.
0 points
The Talk is inaudible, the board goes essentially unused, or the speaker does not engage with questions.

Structure 8 points

8 points
The Talk is shaped so that each part has the time it needs, and finishes within eight minutes, leaving two minutes for questions.
4 points
The Talk runs over eight minutes, or spends so long on its early material that the rest must be rushed.
0 points
The Talk has no discernible structure.

Total 50 points