We should always have an elevator speech (a succinct but meaningful summary)

ready that we can deliver when we are asked unexpectedly by a team leader or supervisor to update them on our progress. It is also frequently used in business plan competitions and in real situations with venture capitalists, for example. The pyramid is a very useful device for structuring any short presentation you are asked to deliver, whether a summary of the research you are doing or a project in which you are involved.

1. Think of some research you are doing or a project in which you are involved or have just completed, and create a very brief (one-minute) bottom-line summary of it, using the pyramid as your stucturing device.

2. Pretend someone has asked how your research or project is going.

3. Find a partner; give him or her your summary.

4. Now, give each other feedback and do it again