17 Aug Tracking and Countering the Growing Chinese and Russian Influence on the African Continent

Topic: Tracking and Countering the Growing Chinese and Russian Influence on the African Continent

The assignment is for a 5-10 min. briefing. This is usually 5-7 Power-point slides, not including the Title slide and the Sources slide.

Remember: this class is about effective communication, writing for a purpose,
and writing to provide a leader relevant, accurate, and timely information
that will be used to make important decisions.
Voice-Over Briefing Tips
It’s not too early to plan, organize, and research. You’ll be glad you started
as the pace of the semester speeds up in the coming weeks!
Students who have done well on this assignment:
 Select timely topics
 Include solid Research from credible sources
 Demonstrate expertise and passion, which is allowed, as long as you are
objective!
 Deliver objective analysis, with critical thinking that allowed for
evaluating various perspectives on the problem or issue, as appropriate
 Jazz up the presentation with relevant pictures, and data! One can
deliver a most complex narrative using solid information and graphics
 Include Maps where appropriate
Now, what is the real challenge of composing a briefing: Positioning enough
information on the slides such that a reasonable person (a Boss, a
Leader, a Policymaker) is able to capture the essence of the issues
even without your voice.
The point is not to simply put paragraphs and log sentences on a
slide. Nor is the point to “read” slides.”
Rather, the bullet points reflect the most precise and accurate
rendering of “the story.”

Presently, in professional settings–throughout private industry and Govt.–the
briefing is the routine form of communication. You need to become comfortable
with the tool.
The Voice Over Briefing topic can be based on your Mid-term paper.
Please reach out with any questions. And follow these steps:
 Make time to create Data driven slides
 Make good use of “bullet points” to convey key information
 Create Insightful Graphics
 Use Credible sources–with a slide indicating works cited
 Use Thorough Research
 Be objective
 Remain professional in Tone and Style, underscoring Critical Thinking,
which we covered so many Semester Weeks ago
 Proofread carefully. Avoid minor errors such as incorrect grammar or
missing words
 Include Information Gaps (to make me cry with pride!–chuckle)
 When appropriate, demonstrate understanding of diverse perspectives
on the issue.
 Avoid asking questions on the PowerPoints. Remember, you are the
expert providing information! Each bullet point should reveal
information or a Key Finding. Use as few words as possible to provide
as much information as possible.
 Reach out with any questions. Your question, could help a classmate
too. All questions are welcome!
 For the Voice Over slide presentation, you need only include a “Works
Cited” or “Sources” slide. For a 5 -10 min min. brief, you would usually
have 5-7 slides–not including the title slide and the Sources slide.