The three-minute pitch

Ross Woods, 2022, with thanks to Dαwie vαn Vuuren.

A “pitch” is a sales talk with the purpose of persuading the listener to approve a proposal or buy a product. It is usually short, carefully planned, and well practiced.

Present the idea for your research or project. You have a maximum of three minutes and must cover the following points:

  1. What is your topic?
  2. What is the problem you are trying to solve?
  3. What is your research question?
  4. Why is it important or worthwhile?
  5. What will you do?

How to do it:

  1. Make sure you cover all five points within the three-minute limit.
  2. Focus on the topic and omit anything irrelevant.
  3. Use everyday language with no academic jargon.
  4. It must be compelling.
  5. Practice your pitch before you present it to an audience. Listen to yourself and ask yourself whether it makes sense.
  6. To see examples, google “three minute pitch” on YouTube.

If your pitch is to be assessed, you will be assessed on what you do within three minutes. (You will be forced to stop if you are still talking at the time limit.) Besides general research requirements, the following criteria are applicable:

  1. How clear and focussed was the main message?
  2. Was it persuasive and compelling?
  3. Was persuasion based on fact and not just emotion?