Article Synthesis Report: Writing Techniques and Presentation Skills

This report synthesizes three articles focusing on effective academic writing and presentation techniques. The report highlights key insights from the Nielsen Norman Group, emphasizing the importance of clear, concise language, proper structuring with headings and sub-sections, and the use of visual aids like charts and tables to enhance readability and engagement. It also addresses the significance of understanding the target audience and using simple language. Furthermore, the report incorporates the insights of Smith (2017), who critically examines the impact of PowerPoint presentations, particularly the overuse of bullet points, on critical thinking and learning. The synthesized information is directly applicable to creating clear and informative reports, such as the Palm Fruit Harvesting Project, emphasizing the need for well-structured content and plain language for effective communication and understanding. The report concludes by stressing the importance of the articles in providing a comprehensive guide to improving academic writing and presentation skills.

Running head: ARTICLE SYNTHESIS
Article Synthesis
Name of Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

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ARTICLE SYNTHESIS
Nielsen Norman Group (2017a), highlights the possible writing style that must be
followed to appeal to the experts. The article explains that how simple and short writing
techniques can work well with the education-based class audience. Emphasis is laid on short
titles, use of proper headings and subsections and the inclusion of charts and tables.
Therefore, it is recommended to keep academic contents organized and scan-able.
Nielsen Norman Group (2017b), explains how the art of simple content writing
benefits both, the consumers and organizations. Professionals are always in search of clear
and concise information. To follow web-writing guidelines is another way of maximizing
online readability. Among the steps to follow, knowing the target audience is mandatory.
Furthermore, simple language with familiar words is the key to hold on to readers.
Smith (2017), focuses elaborately on how the vigorous use of PowerPoint is killing
critical thought process. He explains through the words of several other eminent of the
academic industry that how the use of bullet points in PowerPoint is harming the learning and
teaching process.
Each of the articles mentioned above collectively speaks of the necessary techniques
to write papers or prepare and explain reports or presentations. Nielsen Norman Group
(2017a), and Nielsen Norman Group (2017b), they both determine certain techniques that
might help in the process of writing of scientific papers or any other academic or web
content. The article elaborates on how the use of short sentences and simple language help to
gain reader’s appreciation. While constructive structuring with titles and diagrams assist the
readers to not be lost and bored, the use of simple English would provide the readers a better
scope for understanding. The authors also claim that following these techniques would help
to reach the target audience. Smith (2017), coins in a unique point that relates to the same.
This article too emphasizes on content. The extensive use of bullet points in preparing

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ARTICLE SYNTHESIS
presentations for lectures depletes the listeners off their scope of understanding. Eminent
personalities from the field of science and research would acknowledge well-structured and
informative content. Similarly, students or listeners in a lecture hall would be benefitted more
if PowerPoint presentations were to be presented with more information rather than just
introductory points.
In order to generate the report for the Palm Fruit Harvesting Project, the articles prove
to be a great zeal of assist and support. The mechanical and ergonomic analysis conducted
must be presented in the report using proper headings and statistical data of the findings. The
report should be able to express each point elaborately to build and analyze the end system.
Every favorable or hazardous aspect of the findings should be subjectively stated (Gastel &
Day, 2016). Finally, the students must present the content in a plain and simple language for
the ease of understanding from the next batch.
The articles express themselves with excellence. They clearly depict a neat
relationship between themselves. The articles live up to the expectations that they themselves
have created. They present to-the-point, elaborative and interesting contents that readily peep
into the reader’s mind.

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ARTICLE SYNTHESIS
References
Gastel, B., & Day, R. A. (2016). How to write and publish a scientific paper. ABC-CLIO.
Nielsen Norman Group. (2017a). How to Present Scientific Findings Online. Retrieved 9
November 2017, from https://www.nngroup.com/articles/scientific-findings-online/
Nielsen Norman Group.(2017b). Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts. Retrieved 9
November 2017, from https://www.nngroup.com/articles/plain-language-experts/
Smith, A. (2017). How PowerPoint is killing critical thought | Andrew Smith. the Guardian.
Retrieved 9 November 2017, from
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/23/powerpoint-thought-
students-bullet-points-information