Your presentation will consist of two parts: an oral presentation in your recitation section which should last 10-15 minutes, and a written paper of about 6-10 pages. In your oral presentation, you can use whatever props you like if you think they will be helpful to get your ideas across.

The starting point of your presentation should be a book or story that you read, which contains some mathematical idea that interests you. In your oral presentation to the class, you might want to spend a couple of minutes telling the class about the book, recommending it if you enjoyed it, or else giving some informed criticism. Pay particular attention to the mathematics presented in the book. Was it well done? Clear? Intriguing?

The remainder of your presentation should be devoted to clearly explaining the further research you did to learn about the mathematical theme that you picked, including both mathematical and if you wish, historical aspects. Please stress the pedagogical aspect of your presentation. The point is not to show that you have learned something, but to show that you have learned it well enough to get it across.

After the oral presentations, the TA will ask some questions to the class in order to assess how well you communicated to them. This can earn you a few bonus points. The oral presentation will count for half the presentation grade, and the paper for the other half. The whole presentation will count for as much as the midterm.