Lightning Talk Guidelines - Fall Focus

Adapted from Mark Fowler’s PERL article, 7/30/04: https://www.perl.com/pub/2004/07/30/lightningtalk.html

Purpose

  • Offers an opportunity for speakers to present exciting ideas and programs that do not require the length of a longer talk
  • Offers a variety of topics to a large audience without them having to change locations

Description

  • Talks should be energetic, exciting, challenging
  • Each talk lasts no more than seven minutes each

Parameters

  • The moderator will control all the speakers’ slides, so indicate to them when you would like the next slide shown (e.g., "next slide", "next, please" or "as we see on the next slide...")
  • Once each speaker is finished, there will be brief Q&A where the presenter will answer for three minutes questions pulled from the chat by the moderator

Tips

  • Make a point and explain it quickly (though do not rush)
  • Don’t get caught up in background info (no more than two minutes, max)
  • Only include details if they are necessary and fit within the overall scope for such a short presentation
  • Slides should show things to the audience, not help presenter remember what to talk about
  • Provide contact info somewhere (e.g., on the last slide) in presentation materials
  • For the Q&A portion, remember you only have three minutes -- keep your answers as short as reasonably possible; if while answering you realize that there are additional important details you'd like to share, consider offering to have the questioner email you for follow-up discussion.

Preparation

  • Create your slides in PowerPoint. If you do not have access to PowerPoint, please download a free version
  • Upload your PowerPoint by November 10, 2025; the link to this Dropbox folder was sent to you via email on October 24, 2025
  • Log into the Zoom room by 12:40 pm ET on the day your lightning talk takes place. This will give you time to meet the moderator and trouble shoot any possible technical difficulties

If There Are Any Problems...

  • The moderator from LOEX will be ready to assist