the elevator pitch: presenting your research in conversation

The Elevator Pitch:

Presenting Your Research in

Conversation

Gretchen Busl, Ph.D.

Associate Program Director, Grants and Fellowships

Matthew Capdevielle, Ph.D.

Director, University Writing Center

What is an Elevator Pitch or

Research Spiel?

• a concise statement of your research interests and experience to be

shared informally and orally in various professional contexts.

– a brief encounter with a scholar in your field at a conference

– introductions around a table at the beginning of meeting

– introduction to a guest speaker in the hallway right before his/her

talk

– conversation at a reception for a speaker

– an actual elevator ride with a search committee member

What is the goal of an elevator

pitch?

• To create a memorable and positive impression

• To open the door to further conversation

Questions your elevator pitch

should answer:

• What is the topic of your research?

• What is the problem, issue, or question that you

are asking and addressing in your research?

• Why is that problem interesting and important?

(i.e. So what?)

• How does your work connect with a broader

disciplinary conversation about this

topic/problem in your field, and what does it add

to that conversation?

Language:

– key nouns

• offer topical touchstones that are accessible to wide range of

educated people

• avoid jargon if possible or deliver specialized terms using

appositives

– action verbs

• express relationships among these key nouns using action

verbs

• describe the movement of your work and the activity or action

of your involvement

“I…”

Analysis:

• analyze

• define

• categorize

• classify

• compare

• contrast

• systematize

Application:

• apply

• argue

• articulate

• conclude

• defend

• demonstrate

• differentiate

• employ

• establish

• extend

• hypothesize

• illustrate

• implement

• propose

• theorize

Synthesis:

• combine

• construct

• create

• design

• formulate

• frame

• integrate

• merge

• project

• solve

• synthesize

• unite

Evaluation:

• critique

• defend

• evaluate

• interpret

• justify

• reassess

• re-envision

Delivery:

– Eye contact--read your listener

– Enthusiasm

– Practice, practice, practice!

Practice, practice, practice!

For the evaluator:

•What words or phrases stuck out to you as the most important?

•What intrigued you?

•Were you confused at any point?

•What might the speaker have emphasized more/less?

•Did they respond appropriately to your verbal or physical cues?

For the speaker:

•Did you get all your key points across?

•Did you get asked what you expected to be asked?

•Were you able to remain “in the moment” ?

The Interview Pitch

• Contexts

– at a group conference interview

– a one-on-one interview with an administrator

• Features

– a concise statement that generates interest

– a response to an actual question

– not focused solely on your dissertation

The Cocktail Party Pitch

• Contexts

– telling friends or family what you do

– discussing your work at poster sessions with possible collaborators, peers, etc.

– cocktail parties, receptions, lunch meetings, campus visit engagements

• Features

– Conversational, an actual dialogue

– Listen very carefully, and respond!

– Seek connections between your research interests and your interlocutor’s interests

– Ask questions

Additional Resources

• Harvard Business School’s Pitch Builder:

http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/pitch/

• Career Center

• Writing Center

• English for Academic Purposes Program

• Cocktail Party! “Elevator Pitch Essentials: Giving your

Research Spiel,” Monday, November 5

, 4:30-6:30PM

University Writing Center

Home of the Writing Irish!