NAME: ARIK ETHAN KINAJIL, 25231

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

TECHNICAL PRESENTATION – OUTLINE

Topic: What makes the violin powerful?

Is it a technical presentation? Justify.

The topic I have chosen is entitled, “What makes the violin powerful?” and I have chosen
this topic because of how the process of building the violin takes precision and accurate
readings on measurements. It also focuses on choosing the right materials to build such a
beautiful instrument. The Shape of the violin is also to be considered when building it to
ensure its beautiful and powerful sounds.

1. Audience

How did you determine the knowledge level of your audience?

The audience will be asked a few questions concerning their knowledge on musical
instruments and its physical shape. It is important to notice the intricacy and details of the
violin for its sound to be majestic.

How did this information influence your presentation?

The level of knowledge of my audience will allow me to explain everything about the violin
making process in words that they will understand better and with analogies to simplify my
explanations.

How did you plan to gain the audience’s attention?

During the presentation, I will be giving a short melodic line on a real violin to show them
how powerful the violin really is. This would probably get their attention and at the same
time improve their confusion about the word, “power” in my presentation title.
 2. Presentation

Introduction –

What is the purpose and importance of choosing this topic?

I have chosen this topic because it is better for people to know more about musical
instruments as music is part of our daily lives.

How is the topic relevant to the audience?

Violins have contributed a lot in the making of beautiful and relaxing sounds, so it is better
known take this time an understand more about how it’s made. At the same time, the
audience is able to gaze into how engineering the violin is related to the studies of
mechanical engineering.

What do you expect from the audience to learn from the presentation (objectives)?

I expect the audience to be able to be more concerned and appreciative towards the
musical instruments, not only violins and to understand that the engineering of the musical
instruments are not to be taken for granted.

What is your thesis statement?

The violin creates a powerful sound because craftsmen require materials knowledge,
precision building and acoustic science understanding.

List the main points that will support your thesis statement?

The first point will be about what materials should be used based on the quality of the violin
sound and strength wanted to achieve. Secondly, it is vital that the violin wood us cut and
craved to achieve the size corresponding to the length of the body of the violin, not
including the neck and scroll. Finally, the aerodynamic shape and holes of the violin has to
be cut and properly measured to ensure the best acoustics travel through the violin to aid in
its great sounds.

How are you establishing credibility?

I will show them that I have learnt engineering aerodynamics and measurements in
Materials Science and Fluid Mechanic courses well enough to know how violins are build
and relate these devices to my studies in advanced level musical theory to know how a
strong violin sound like.
Body –

Which organisational pattern are you using? Justify your choice.

I have chosen the organizational pattern of the process approach with a little bit of cause
and effect to show them some insights on the dos and don’ts of the violin crafts.

List the supporting ideas for each main point?

For point one, I will tell them materials used to make the violin sound powerful. For
example, Ebony, Maple and Spruce wood are used to build very good violins. It is also a
known fact that the most expensive violins are the Stradivari violins. Of the approximately
1100 instruments (violin, viola, cello) created by Stradivarius over 250 years ago, nearly 650
still survive. Of these survivors, 512 are violins. These violins cost about 16 million USD,
which is 65,238,400 MYR per violin. This is due to the fact that the violins are made of very
good materials that craftsmen of today can never imitate.

Secondly, I will mention the typical sizes in the building process. For instance, the smallest
common size is 1/16, with just 9 inches or 23 cm, and the sizes work their way up through
1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8 and lastly 4/4 or full size, which is about 14 inches or 36 cm.

Finally, I will explain about how the violin acoustics work in relationship with how it is built
aerodynamically. To illustrate, the vibration of strings was first investigated by Hermann Von
Helmholtz, the famous mathematician and physicist in 19th century. A surprising scenario
was discovered that the string actually moves in an inverse “V” shape rather than parabolas
that we usually see. What we see is just an envelope of the motion of the string. To honor
his findings, the motion of bowed strings had been called “Helmholtz motion.”

How do you ensure that there is coherent transition from one main point to the next main
point?

Coherency is justified with the main points being explained in steps and simplified
numberings. Some transitional phrases and words are also used to ensure that the
presentation goes more smoothly and comprehensible. A sufficient amount of visual aids
will also be given so that the audience do not get confused and get a good image and
imagination of how the violin produces such an amazing dominant sound.

Describe how you are going to summarise each main point.

I will explain the important part of each point so that the audience can see the overall view
of what I am trying to say and explain about the creation of the violin sound.

Conclusion –

Describe how you are going to summarise the entire presentation.

I will be restating the purpose of my presentation, which is to allow my audience to know

more about the crafts and engineering of the violin and appreciate them more for how
intricate the violin really is.

Describe how you are going to reiterate the purpose and importance of the whole
presentation to relate it to your audience.

I will explain them in a much simpler and paraphrased way, to make sure they catch what I
am trying to deliver to them and make them more assured with the points I have delivered.

3. Question and Answer (Q&A) Session

List some of the questions that you anticipate from the audience.

a. What is technical about the violin presentation?

b. Where did you get your musical theory studies?
c. Why is the violin about to be loud and soft?
d. How are musicians able to make the sound vibrate?
e. How long does it take to build a violin?
f. What is the scroll on the violin used for?
g. Why are there only 4 strings?
h. Why is it used the way it is used?

4. Practice Session

How did you practice for your presentation?

I pretend there are people in the room when I am actually presenting to myself. I even take
videos of myself presenting to see any flaws possible and correct them any way possible.

Which area of your presentation needed improvement?

Confidence and body posture as well as the rough flow of the presentation.

5. Did you stay within the time limit?

Yes, I will try my best to stay within the time limit in the real presentation too 