Caracterización de los establecimientos industriales por su nivel de riesgo

Engineers often use computer technology to prepare and deliver oral presenta-tions. With presentation software, it is possible not only to create computer-generated slides but also to choose a background and graphics that are appropriate to the message. Software such as PowerPoint allows the speaker to use transitions to move from one slide to the next. Slides can be revealed with a variety of effects such as dissolving from one slide to another, fading out or in, or using “flying text” from any direction. Such effects can enhance the visual impacts of a presentation. The use of computer technology, however, will not guarantee the success of a presentation. All viewers will notice if the presenta-tion has only visual impact and no content. It is important, therefore, that the primary focus be on the topic of the presentation rather than the technology.

6.16 TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS

Engineers commonly share the results of their work by making technical pre-sentations at professional meetings. Professional meetings are usually orga-nized in “sessions” that last approximately three hours and allow for the presentation of four to six technical papers. A moderator presides over each ses-sion, introducing the speakers, enforcing time limits, and directing periods of questions and answers. Typically, a technical presentation lasts approximately 20 minutes, and 5 to 10 minutes are reserved for questions and answers.

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Papers delivered to technical groups are normally written and published in the conference proceedings. Technical reports that contain complex informa-tion or a great deal of statistical material may be read to the assembly. It is gen-erally preferable, however, to summarize the content of the paper and present it in an extemporaneous speech form.

A technical presentation should be well organized, normally following the same format as that of a technical report or paper but in summary form. The presentation usually contains an introduction, the methodology, the results, and the conclusions.

The purpose of the introduction is to create a friendly atmosphere; interest the audience in the topic; and announce the subject matter, purpose, scope, and organizational framework of the presentation (8).

The main body of the presentation consists of a description of the steps that were taken to accomplish the work being reported on and the results or out-come of the project. Because a listener’s attention span is limited, experts in public speaking recommend that speeches be planned around intelligent and interesting repetition (8). For a presentation 20 to 30 minutes in length, it is advisable to cover no more than two or three main points. These points should be reinforced with appropriate examples, illustrations, and analogies and may be illustrated with suitable visual aids.

The conclusion of the presentation normally consists of a brief summary of the key points and a list of recommendations, including suggestions for fur-ther work.

6.17 THE ENGINEER AS A PRESIDING OFFICER

As leaders in their profession and in their community, engineers may be called upon to serve as the presiding officer for a professional or civic group. They should be prepared to chair on-the-job committees, conduct public hearings, moderate the affairs of professional groups, and serve as the leader of civic associations.

The degree of formality in the conduct of public forums is established by precedence and general consent of the group. Some groups prefer to conduct their affairs informally; others prefer highly formal and structured meetings, insisting that all group decisions be arrived at according to strict rules of par-liamentary procedure. In either event, the presiding officer for such groups needs to have a working knowledge of accepted practices in the conduct of organizational business.

The basic principles of parliamentary procedure were clearly defined and practiced as early as the fifth century B.C. in Athens (13). Similarly, the Romans and other civilizations relied on rules of procedure in the conduct of their affairs. These groups were presided over by a chairman, followed a prescribed agenda, provided an opportunity for all those who wished to speak, passed motions, and voted on propositions before them.

Parliamentary procedure evolved over several centuries in England, and many of those rules were used in Colonial America. In modern times, the most

popular guide to parliamentary procedure has been Robert’s Rules of Order, published first by an Army engineer named Henry M. Robert in 1876.

One of the fundamental principles of parliamentary procedure is majority rule. “The voice of the majority decides” is the way that Thomas Jefferson stated it (13). The principal reason for using parliamentary procedures is to determine the opinion of the majority fairly, efficiently, and in an orderly manner.

A second fundamental principle of parliamentary procedure is that the apparent minority has a right to be heard—to oppose the position of the major-ity and to try to persuade others to agree with its point of view.

Other fundamental principles are

• To facilitate action rather than obstruct it.

• To enable the group to express its will.

• To maintain order.

The rules of parliamentary procedure tell how, when, and why to use motions. A motion is an expression used to present ideas to a group for con-sideration. A motion usually begins with the words: “I move that . . .”.

It is not necessary that the chairperson memorize all of the motions that could be used and the rules for their use. He or she needs to know only the rules for those motions that are normally used. Other procedures can be for-mulated by the assembly by majority vote at the time the need arises.

There are three types of motion: (1) main motions, (2) ordinary or privileged motions, and (3) special motions. Main motions introduce business before the group for its consideration. Main motions are debatable, amendable, and decided by majority vote. Main motions have the lowest rank of all.

Ordinary or privileged motions are those of such urgency or importance that they cannot wait. Examples of ordinary motions, in order of precedence are 1. To adjourn.

2. To recess.

3. To close debate.

4. To limit debate.

5. To postpone.

6. To refer to a committee.

7. To amend.

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Special motions have no rank among themselves.

Table 6.5 summarizes various types of motions and recommended rules for their use. Additional information on parliamentary procedure is given in Reference 13.

REFERENCES

1. MCBRIDE, KARIBOYD,ANDRUTHDICKSTEIN, “The Web Demands Critical Reading by Students,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, 44, March 20, 1998.

2. ROTHENBERG, DAVID, “How the Web Destroys Student Research Papers,” The Education Digest, 63, February, 1998.

3. WESCHLER, LAWRENCE, Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonder, Pantheon Books, New York, 1995.

4. STRUNK, JR., WILLIAM,ANDE. B. WHITE, The Elements of Style, 4th Edition, Allyn and Bacon, Needham Heights, MA, 2000.

TABLE 6.5 Summary Chart of Motions

Motion Debatable Amendable Vote

Ordinary motions^a 1. To adjourn No No Majority

(in order of rank) 2. To recess No Yes^b Majority

3. To close debate No No two-thirds

4. To limit (extend No Yes^b two-thirds the limits of)

debate

5. To postpone Yes Yes Majority

6. To refer Yes Yes Majority

7. To amend Yes Yes Majority

Main motion^a Yes Yes Majority

(lowest rank)

Special motions A. Point of order No No None

(no rank among

themselves B. To appeal^a Yes No Majority

C. To withdraw No No Majority

D. To suspend No No two-thirds

the rules

E. To reconsider^a No No Majority

F. To rescind^a Yes Yes Majority

aWhen ordinary motions are made with no main motion on the floor, they are treated like other main motions. They are debatable, amendable, and their consideration may be referred, post-poned, etc. This applies also to the motions to appeal, to reconsider, and to rescind within the limitations stipulated in Chapter 5 of Reference 13.

bMay be amended regarding time limitations only.

Source: Ray E. Keesey, Modern Parliamentary Procedure, Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 1974.

5. ZINSSER, WILLIAM, On Writing Well, 2nd Edition, Harper & Row, New York, 1980.

6. KILPATRICK, JAMESJ., The Writer’s Art, Andrews, McMeel, and Parker, Inc., New York, 1984.

7. DAVIS, RICHARD M., “Technical Writing in Industry and Government,” Journal of Technical Writing and Communications 7, No. 3, 1977.

8. HOUP, KENNETHW., ANDTHOMASE. PEARSALL, Reporting Technical Information, 5th Edition, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1984.

9. DUDERSTADT, JAMES J., GLENN F. KNOLL, AND GEORGE S. SPRINGER, Principles of Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1982.

10. The American National Standards Institute, Line Conventions and Lettering, ANSI Y14.2M, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York, 1979.

11. EARLE, JAMES H., Engineering Design Graphics, 9th Edition, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, MA, 1999.

12. Information for Authors, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, 1984.

13. KEESEY, RAY E., Modern Parliamentary Procedure, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1974.