Presentations and talks
Create a focused feedback sheet for a rehearsal
Tell reviewers what to watch before you start, then give them a few questions tied to parts of the talk. Ask for the moment they felt lost, the claim they doubted and one thing they would cut. Examples they can point to are more useful than overall impressions.
A text to start with
I am rehearsing a talk on [topic] for [audience] that runs [minutes]. I most want feedback on [clarity, evidence, pacing or another focus]. Create a one-page feedback sheet with questions about each focus, a spot to note the time of a confusing moment, and a prompt for one suggested cut. Ask reviewers to quote or describe what they saw or heard.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.Rehearsal feedback sheet
Talk title and length: [ ] Intended audience: [ ] Main point of the talk: [ ] Reviewer name (optional): [ ] Clarity: What did you understand the main point to be? [ ] Evidence: Which claim would you want proof for? Quote it: [ ] Pacing: Where did it feel too fast or too slow? Timestamp: [ ] Confusing moment: What was said or shown? Timestamp: [ ] A question you still have: [ ] One part to cut and why: [ ] One part to keep unchanged: [ ] My changes after reading all sheets: [ ] Section to rehearse again: [ ]
Make every question observable
Check that each question asks about something a reviewer could observe, such as a slide, a sentence or a pause, instead of whether they liked the talk. Remove any question answered by yes or no without an example. Make sure reviewers know the talk's purpose and audience before they judge it. A timestamp field helps you find the exact spot later. Limit the sheet to a few questions so reviewers finish it, and ask for the suggested cut separately from criticism.
Ask another agent to check the result
Look at these completed feedback sheets and replace every vague comment, such as "liked it" or "too long," with the observable example behind it. If a comment has no example, list the follow-up question I should ask that reviewer to get one.
Run the rehearsal and act on the notes
Tell reviewers the focus areas, hand out the sheet before you begin, and collect it right after. Sort responses by timestamp to see where several people had trouble in the same place. Change one or two things, then rehearse that section again. Tell reviewers what you changed so they know the notes were used.