Section 3.3: Giving talks on site
Talks delivered in the open air need to be structured
accordingly. Prepared texts can be problematic - for example, if
it rains and the ink runs, or if you write too much and cannot
cut what you have to say to take account of lack of time.
A list of headings may be all that is needed to prompt you. If
necessary, you can annotate this sparingly with dates and names
if you are less than confident about being able to commit these
to memory. An A5 size file card is a useful note-form to use.
Often, it helps to collect as much information as you can, but then to be very selective about which aspects you actually present. Data unused remain useful to you, and may be of assistance in answering questions.
Decide in advance what the purpose of your presentation is to be. If you are describing a building, the main need may be to communicate the essential aspects of its archaeological development. Information about people, or incidental historical references, can normally be omitted.
Explaining the development of a structure in words may be much less easy than doing so with plans or diagrams. This is particularly true of buildings which are of complex development. Accordingly, it is wise to inspect the building thoroughly beforehand, to ensure that you understand how it has evolved, and to assess how best to communicate this to your audience. By all means consult published accounts of the building, but do not rely on these uncritically: check statements against your own observation. Aim to be concise: open-air audiences often become restless (eg because it is cold, or noisy, or its members have become tired or have a low attention threshold, or because darkness has fallen and they can't see the building you are discussing).
Presentation
Structure your presentation according to a plan. Usually it is sensible to proceed from the general to the particular, beginning with remarks that set the scene (location, summary of structural development), and then moving to more detailed observations. This approach fits well with visits which begin by touring the exterior of the building, noting salient points (but not dwelling on inessential detail), then moving inside. Within, proceed according to a logical sequence. This can be chronological (identifying the main features in sequence), or geographical (moving around the building in a planned way). Normally, it is best to describe the main structural elements first, and to leave comments about furnishings and fittings until the end.
Groups in the open make difficult audiences. Their members tend to move around, to talk among themselves, or to be prone to distraction. Passing vehicles may add to the difficulties, and it is not unusual for strangers to attach themselves to your group and to ask questions. These problems can be overcome if you:
(1) ensure that your group is assembled and attentive before you start to speak; if there are members adrift, issue them with a polite invitation to attend;
(2) take care to position your group to best advantage, both from the point of view of its members being able to see features to which you wish to draw attention, and your own audibility;
(3) do not attempt to compete with distractions that are either noisier or more interesting than you are (eg HGVs, electric drills, buskers, drunks). If what you have to say is worth hearing, pause until the distraction has ceased; if it is not that interesting, don't say it at all.
(4) use eye contact a good deal to keep your audience attentive.
(5) take pains to appear interested in what you are saying.
Afterwards
The purpose of a succession of visits is not only to familiarise you with a particular class of monument, but also to encourage you to recognise patterns. Do draw comparisons with other sites visited during the course.
Above all, use introductory visits as a springboard for your own further research.
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Information provided by JDR; based on York course material by LASB; last updated Dec 1996