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Art of Conferencing

How to Prepare Conference Proposals and Abstracts

How to Write a Proposal for a Conference Panel or Session
Gregg Gardner and Sarah Imhoff, moderated by Robin Judd (February 2021)

How to Write an Abstract (Individual Paper Proposal)
Susannah Heschel and Jonathan Gribetz, moderated by Robin Judd (February 2021)

Sample Abstracts for AJS Proposals: Sessions | Individual Papers

How to Write an Abstract
Jo Koster, Winthrop University, 2008

Writing a Successful Annual Meeting Paper Proposal
Kecia Ali, 2009 from the website of the American Academy of Religion

How to Convert Your Paper into a Presentation
Duke University Writing Studio

How to Give an Exciting Talk

Don't Get the Hook (or How to Have a Great Time Presenting at the 49th Annual AJS Conference)
Short video by AJS Executive Director Warren Hoffman, November 2017

Do Academic Presentations Have to be Boring?
Ilana Abramovitch, AJS News, October 2015

Presenting Without a Net
Rachel Toor, The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 20, 2015

How to Give an Academic Talk
Paul N. Edwards, October 2014

Delivering a Presentation: Spoken vs. Written Language
Hamilton College, Oral Communication Center, 2014

How to Engage Your Audience and Keep Them with You
Hamilton College, Oral Communication Center, 2014

The Truth Is, You Gave a Lousy Talk
Tory Defoe, The Chronicle of Higher Education, December 21, 2007

Conference Rules, Part 2 [presenting a paper] 
Linda K. Kerber, The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 21, 2008

Be Brief, Be Witty, Be Seated
Mary Hunt, from the website of the American Academy of Religion

Making the Most of the Conference

Intentional Conferencing
Mandi Stewart, Inside Higher Education, October 20, 2014

Making the Most of Professional Conferences
Allison M. Vaillancourt, The Chronicle of Higher Education,  October 3, 2011 

The Art of Good Conferencing
David D. Perlmutter, The Chronicle of Higher Education, February 4, 2008

Guidance for Conferences Roles

The AJS's Guidelines for Panel Chairs

Conference Rules, Part 1: Everything You Need to Know 
about Introducing Speakers and Running a Panel Discussion

Linda K. Kerber,  The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 14, 2008

Conference Rules, Part 3  [commentators and audience] 
Linda K. Kerber, The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 2, 2008

Interviewing at the Conference

Writing and Rewriting the C.V.
Ellen Mayock, Inside Higher Education, January 23, 2015

Minding Your Manners for the Conference Interview
David D. Perlmutter, The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 9, 2012

Conference Rookies
Julie Miller Vick and Jennifer S. Furlong, The Chronicle of Higher Education, December 8, 2008

Preparing for the Convention
Julie Miller Vick, The Chronicle of Higher Education, June 9, 2004

How to Pitch Your Book at a Conference

How to Write a Good Book Proposal, the Sequel 
Rachel Toor, The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 8, 2013 

How to Pitch Your Book to an Editor at a Conference 
Karen Kelsky, The Professor Is In Blog, April 19, 2012

Meeting the Editors
David Brooks, The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 9, 2011