To help you begin preparing for your second presentation, you should complete the following by the specified dates:
Interview with a Professor
Complete by Wed., Sept. 6: Identify a professor you might want to interview. You may already know a professor you would like to interview; if not, you can search the individual NCSU department websites. These websites list the “faculty,” and generally describe each person’s research interests and area of focus.
Complete by Fri., Sept. 8: Send a polite, professional email (use these tips & examples) explaining your assignment and requesting an interview. Explain that it should only take about 15-25 minutes. Suggest that you could come to their office hours, or give days/time that you would be able to come. Be flexible and considerate. Use the conditional tense to be polite, and be sure to thank them.
Complete by Wed., Sept. 20: Complete your interview. Before you go, use these tips and phrases to prepare questions that you would like to ask your interviewee. Think carefully about the order of questions; ask them logically. Use the suggestions from class, or your own questions. When you arrive, introduce yourself and be prepared to engage in small talk. Ask them if they are ready to begin the interview, and “Would you mind if I recorded our interview and took notes to help with my assignment?” If they say no, thank them politely Be sure to take notes by hand as well as recording. When the interview finishes, thank the interviewee again for his/her time and help with your assignment.
Review your notes or recording. Write down questions you have or points you need clarified. In the next day or two, send another email thanking the person for their time and help with your assignment. This is also where you can ask follow-up questions or clarifications.
Assignments
Complete by Wed., Sept. 20: As with your first presentation, create an outline (including a strong introduction and conclusion) and a vocabulary web. With vocabulary, focus on word forms (nouns, adjectives, etc.) and stress/syllable patterns. Bring your outline and web to class.
Complete by Fri., Sept. 22: Record a summary (3-5 minutes) of your interview in a private Kaizena conversation. Be sure to give details about what kinds of things you talked about. Use specific vocabulary, paying attention to pronunciation and word stress.