How To Ace Your Presentation

Susie Pan & Hillary Dawkins

Overview

l  Introductions l Pointers for presentation l Activities to practice

Introduction

l  Introduce yourself in 30 seconds l Who you are l Why you came to Science Expo

Photosynthesis

l 6CO2 + 6H2O à C6H12O6 + 6O2

l The four parts to a presentation l Carbon dioxide = preparation l Water = delivery l Oxygen = effectiveness l Glucose = engagement

Preparation

l Know style and context l What is the goal of the presentation?

l Know your audience l Research thoroughly l Summarize key points l Visual aid l Know your limits l PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

Practicing

l Time yourself l Present to someone else first l Potential questions l Mirror or videotape l Repetition l Do it slowly l Avoid the “ums”, “like”, “eh” etc

PowerPoints

l  Do: l  Keep each line short l  Use bullet points levels l  Simple, visually pleasing l  Diagrams over words

l  Don’t: l  Read off slides l  Write full sentences or paragraphs l  Overanimate text or transitions l  Overfill a slide l  Replace you

Delivery l  Capture the audience l  Present a roadmap l  Introduction (10%)

l  Purpose

l  Body (80%) l  Content

l  Conclusion (10%) l  Always summarize key points l  End with something memorable

l  Prioritize your points

Presentation Skills

l Be confident l Smile! l Be passionate l Clear and to the point l Watch your pace l Tone of voice and expression l Facial expression

Group/Partner Presentation

l  Focus on flow l  Practice together l  Don’t interrupt each other l  “I’ll pass it off to...” l  Organization

1)  Succession: ABABAB 2)  1st half, 2nd half: AAABBB 3)  Competencies: AABABB

Effectiveness

l Did you achieve your purpose? l Did the audience learn something? l Are people still awake? l Are there questions asked? l Did you do well? l Did you improve?

Engagement

l The A+ of presentations l People want to learn more l Genuinely interested l  Involve the audience l Be memorable l Be different

Practice Time

l Get into pairs l Designate partner A and partner B l Take turns talking for 1 minute about

subject l Partner count number of “ums”, “like”,

etc l Switch

Elevator Pitch

l Do your introduction again l Help each other come up with an elevator

pitch – 30 second spiel about yourself l Name, school, hobbies, activities, ECs l Favourite scientist, subject, education l Aspirations, goals, what you learned

l We’ll be presenting them again in 5 minutes