STC's Technical Communication Summit: Call for Proposals

Descriptions of Session Formats

Before starting your proposal, review the following:

Case Study

About this Format

A report on a successful communication project, technology implementation or management effort, and its results.

Each case study follows this format:

  • Description of the problem faced
  • Alternatives considered
  • Alternative chosen
  • Challenges faced
  • Results

Length

30 minutes

Note: The Track Manager will group 2 Case Studies into a 60-minute session and assign a moderator.

What to Include with Your Proposal

Detailed session plan, which includes:

  • General session information:
    • Title (no more than 8 words), which clearly identifies your proposal content.
    • Brief description (no more than 30 words), which will be used in the final program if your proposal is accepted.
    • Detailed description (no more than 150 words), which clarifies the content of your proposal.
    • Key learning objectives (3 to 5 bullet points).
    • Intended audience.
    • Audience skill level (choose one of these: Getting Started, Advanced, All).
  • The case study itself, with the following sections addressed: (1) Description of the problem faced, (2) Alternatives considered, (3) Alternative chosen, (4) Challenges faced, and (5) Results.
  • Note: If the case is in progress, please indicate this. For Results, indicate the anticipated results if you do not yet have actual results.
  • Sources cited (to demonstrate that you are familiar with the work of other organizations that have done similar or related projects)
  • Bios for each author.
  • Photograph for online program.
  • Names and full contact information for 2 speaker references for each presenter.

Required Supporting Materials

Please note that your proposal will not be reviewed without the supporting materials completed. To view a sample of what will be required, please click here.

If your proposal is accepted, will you need to submit a paper for the Proceedings?

Yes. Your Case Study should follow the format stated above and can be as long as 6 pages.

Start a proposal now

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Research Report

About this Format

A report on a completed research report, with an emphasis on the practical application of the results by professional technical communicators.

Each research report should include the following information:

  • Background
  • Literature review
  • Methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Suggested applications by professional technical communicators

Length

30 minutes

Note: The track manager will group 2 Research Reports into a 60 minutes session.

What to Include with Your Proposal

Detailed session plan, which includes:

  • General session information:
    • Title (no more than 8 words), which clearly identifies your proposal content.
    • Brief description (no more than 30 words), which will be used in the final program if your proposal is accepted.
    • Detailed description (no more than 150 words), which clarifies the content of your proposal.
    • Key learning objectives (3 to 5 bullet points).
    • Intended audience.
    • Audience skill level (choose one of these: Getting Started, Advanced, All).
  • The research report itself, which includes (1) Background, (2) Literature review, (3) Methodology, (4) Results, (5) Discussion, and (6) Suggested applications by professional technical communicators.
  • Note: If the research is in progress, please indicate this. For Results, indicate the anticipated results if you do not yet have actual results. Note that the application will be added later.
  • Sources cited (to situate this study within the larger body of research)
  • Bios for each presenter.
  • Photograph
  • Names and full contact information for 2 speaker references for each presenter.

Required Supporting Materials

Please note that your proposal will not be reviewed without the supporting materials completed. To view a sample of what will be required, please click here.

If your proposal is accepted, will you need to submit a paper for the Proceedings?

Yes. Your Research Report should follow the format stated above and can be as long as 6 pages.

Start a proposal now

Enter proposal system.

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Demonstration

About this Format

A session in which a presenter explains a concept, then demonstrates its application in a real-world setting. Demonstrations should include at least one-third of the time as a live illustration or exercise with the participants.

Length

60 minutes

What to Include with Your Proposal

Detailed session plan including:

  • General session information:
    • Title (no more than 8 words), which clearly identifies your proposal content.
    • Brief description (no more than 30 words), which will be used in the final program if your proposal is accepted.
    • Detailed description (no more than 150 words), which clarifies the content of your proposal.
    • Key learning objectives (3 to 5 bullet points).
    • Intended audience.
    • Audience skill level (choose one of these: Getting Started, Advanced, All).
  • Schedule of activities (that is, how will the allotted time be used—please be as specific as possible)
  • Description of either the visuals or handouts
  • Sources cited (to demonstrate that you are familiar with the work of others that have done similar or related work, as well as related concepts)
  • Bios for each presenter.
  • Photograph
  • Names and full contact information for 2 speaker references for each presenter.

Required Supporting Materials

Please note that your proposal will not be reviewed without the supporting materials completed. To view a sample of what will be required, please click here.

If your proposal is accepted, will you need to submit a paper for the Proceedings?

No.

Start a proposal now

Enter proposal system.

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Mini-workshop

About this Format

A session in which participants learn by doing and through a debriefing of the learning activity that reinforces concepts taught. At least one-third of the session time should be devoted to a participatory activity.

Length

60 minutes

What to Include with Your Proposal

Detailed workshop plan including

  • General session information:
    • Title (no more than 8 words), which clearly identifies your proposal content.
    • Brief description (no more than 30 words), which will be used in the final program if your proposal is accepted.
    • Detailed description (no more than 150 words), which clarifies the content of your proposal.
    • Key learning objectives (3 to 5 bullet points).
    • Intended audience.
    • Audience skill level (choose one of these: Getting Started, Advanced, All).
  • Schedule of activities (that is, how will the alloted time be used—please be as specific as possible)
  • Descriptions of visuals or workshop handouts
  • Sources cited (to demonstrate that you are familiar with both the theoretical and real-world applications of the concepts in the proposed session)
  • Bios for each presenter.
  • Photograph
  • Names and full contact information for 2 speaker references for each presenter.

Required Supporting Materials

Please note that your proposal will not be reviewed without the supporting materials completed. To view a sample of what will be required, please click here.

If your proposal is accepted, will you need to submit a paper for the Proceedings?

No.

Start a proposal now

Enter proposal system.

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Panel Discussion

About this Format

A panel discussion is like a television news panel. It delves into a controversial issue and has panelists who represent diverse points of view. In a panel discussion session, participants give brief (no more than 2-minute) opening statements, and the majority of the session (at least 80 percent) is a dialogue between the panelists and participants. A facilitator ensures that panel discussions stay on track.

Length

60 minutes

What to Include with Your Proposal

Detailed discussion plan including:

  • General session information:
    • Title (no more than 8 words), which clearly identifies your proposal content.
    • Brief description (no more than 30 words), which will be used in the final program if your proposal is accepted.
    • Detailed description (no more than 150 words), which clarifies the content of your proposal.
    • Key learning objectives (3 to 5 bullet points).
    • Intended audience.
    • Audience skill level (choose one of these: Getting Started, Advanced, All).
  • Panel discussion plan, which includes:
    • Key points
    • Opening question
    • How time will be used during the panel discussion
    • How the discussion will be concluded
  • Sources cited (to demonstrate that you are familiar with both the concepts and applications to be addressed in the Panel Discussion)
  • Bios for each presenter.
  • Photograph
  • Names and full contact information for 2 speaker references for each presenter.

Required Supporting Materials

Please note that your proposal will not be reviewed without the supporting materials completed. To view a sample of what will be required, please click here.

If your proposal is accepted, will you need to submit a paper for the Proceedings?

Yes. Each speaker may submit a paper up to six pages OR the group of presenters may submit a paper up to six pages.

Start a proposal now

Enter proposal system.

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Progression

About this Format

Progression speakers each present an oral presentation (10-15 minutes), followed by moderated audience discussion (10-15 minutes). No more than 12 speakers will be accepted into any one progression. Presentations will then be repeated as time allows.

Length

Total Session length of 60 minutes (The length of the Progression’s rounds will be determined by the moderator, usually 3 rounds of 18 minutes.)

What to Include with Your Proposal

Detailed plan including:

  • General session information:
    • Title (no more than 8 words), which clearly identifies your proposal content.
    • Brief description (no more than 30 words), which will be used in the final program if your proposal is accepted.
    • Detailed description (no more than 150 words), which clarifies the content of your proposal.
    • Key learning objectives (3 to 5 bullet points).
    • Intended audience.
    • Audience skill level (choose one of these: Getting Started, Advanced, All).
  • Sources cited (to demonstrate that you are familiar with the work of others who have done similar or related work)
  • Bios for each presenter.
  • Photograph
  • Names and full contact information for 2 speaker references for each presenter.

Required Supporting Materials

Please note that your proposal will not be reviewed without the supporting materials completed. To view a sample of what will be required, please click here.

If your proposal is accepted, will you need to submit a paper for the Proceedings?

Yes

Start a proposal now

Enter proposal system.

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Presentation

About this Format

This is a session in which the speaker is an expert in the field and is on hand to impart that knowledge to the audience. A presentation is very suitable for larger audiences and is more of a lecture format than any other of our formats. Audience participation is limited to a question and answer session at the end.

Length

60 minutes

What to Include with Your Proposal

Detailed session plan including:

  • General session information:
    • Title (no more than 8 words), which clearly identifies your proposal content.
    • Brief description (no more than 30 words), which will be used in the final program if your proposal is accepted.
    • Detailed description (no more than 150 words), which clarifies the content of your proposal.
    • Key learning objectives (3 to 5 bullet points).
    • Intended audience.
    • Audience skill level (choose one of these: Getting Started, Advanced, All).
  • Sources cited (to demonstrate that you are familiar with the work of others that have done similar or related work, as well as related concepts)
  • Bios for each presenter.
  • Photograph
  • Names and full contact information for 2 speaker references for each presenter.

Required Supporting Materials

Please note that your proposal will not be reviewed without the supporting materials completed. To view a sample of what will be required, please click here.

If your proposal is accepted, will you need to submit a paper for the Proceedings?

Yes.

Start a proposal now

Enter proposal system.

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Pre-conference Workshops and Tutorials

About this Format

These half-day pre-conference workshops (15 May 2011) are for people seeking a shorter learning experience than the 2-day certificate sessions. You are invited to submit proposals that complement the tracks offered in the conference program.

Tutorials (lecture and discussion for in-depth exploration of a topic with limited hands-on activity) or workshops (lecture and discussion with significant hands-on activities.)

The Society will provide a stipend of $450 and a free conference registration for each pre-conference session. Multiple presenters will split the stipend and conference registration.

Sessions will be held only if more than 5 attendees register.

Length

The sessions should be 3.5 hours in length. 8:30am - 12:00pm or 1:00pm - 4:30pm, 15 May, 2011.

What to Include with Your Proposal

Detailed session plan which includes:

General session information:

Title (no more than 8 words), which clearly identifies your proposal content.

Brief description (no more than 30 words)

Detailed description (no more than 150 words), which clarifies the content of your proposal.

Key learning objectives (3 to 5 bullet points).

Intended audience.

Relevance to STC members.

Audience skill level (choose one of these: Getting Started, Advanced, All).

Schedule of activities (that is, how will the allotted time be used—please be as specific as possible)

Description of samples, visuals or handouts

Sources cited (to demonstrate that you are familiar with the work of others that have done similar or related work, as well as related concepts)

Bios for each presenter
Photograph
Names and full contact information for 2 speaker references for each presenter.

Required Supporting Materials

Please note that your proposal will not be reviewed without the supporting materials completed. To view a sample of what will be required, please click here.

If your proposal is accepted, will you need to submit a paper for the Proceedings?

No.

Questions about this format?

Lloyd Tucker, STC, e-mail.

Start a proposal now

Enter proposal system.

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Pre-conference Certificate Sessions

About this Format

These two-day pre-conference certificate sessions (14-15 May 2011) are for attendees seeking to explore a subject in-depth over the course of the conference. Participants who complete the program earn a certificate of attendance and are expected to attend topic-related conference sessions as selected by the speaker. This combination of seminars and sessions is intended to help develop skills and expose the attendee to the broad range of thinking in the subject area.

The Society will provide a stipend of $2000 and a free conference registration for each pre-conference session. Multiple presenters will split the stipend and conference registration.

Sessions will be held only if more than 5 attendees register.

Length

The sessions will be two days, 8:30am - 4:30, 14-15 May 2011.

What to Include with Your Proposal

Detailed session plan which includes:

General session information:

Title (no more than 8 words), which clearly identifies your proposal content.

Brief description (no more than 30 words)

Detailed description (no more than 150 words), which clarifies the content of your proposal.

Key learning objectives (3 to 5 bullet points).

Intended audience.

Relevance to STC members.

Audience skill level (choose one of these: Getting Started, Advanced, All).

Schedule of activities (that is, how will the allotted time be used—please be as specific as possible)

Description of samples, visuals or handouts

Sources cited (to demonstrate that you are familiar with the work of others that have done similar or related work, as well as related concepts)

Bios for each presenter
Photograph
Names and full contact information for 2 speaker references for each presenter.

Required Supporting Materials

Please note that your proposal will not be reviewed without the supporting materials completed. To view a sample of what will be required, please click here.

If your proposal is accepted, will you need to submit a paper for the Proceedings?

No.

Questions about this format?

Lloyd Tucker, STC, e-mail.

Start a proposal now

Enter proposal system.

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