Making Effective Presentations

Tim McKay, PhysicsLaura Olsen, MCD Biology

Thoughts on how to go about….

Preparing for the talk Preparing the talk Giving the talk Preparing data slides Answering questions

Preparing for the talk Consider

Audience Time allotment

Plan / Organize What is purpose of talk? Prepare outline Start preparing early

Title Choose a title that is short and informative Cute titles are usually poor titles Avoid jargon

Make it clear who the target audience is

Provide context

Abstract

Preparing the talk

Have a plan or outline Tell them what you will tell them Tell them Tell them what you told them

Give them the background - the “big picture” is important!

Save the technical details for the middle (experts are still listening)

Collect everyone again at end of talk

Preparing your slides

24-30 pt font for large audiences Avoid distracting backgrounds Use lots of white space Make sure text is clear and visible Stick to simple fonts Avoid unnecessary words and

punctuation

Preparing your slides

24-30 pt font for large audiencesThis is Lucida CalligraphyThis is stencil - note serifThis is Times New Roman - also serifThis is Arial - it is sans serif

Avoid distracting backgrounds Make sure text is clear and visible Stick to simple fonts

Preparing your slides

24-30 pt font for large audiencesThis is Lucida CalligraphyThis is stencil - note serifThis is Times New Roman - also serifThis is Arial - it is sans serif

Avoid distracting backgroundsMake sure text is clear and visibleStick to simple fonts

Preparing your slides

Use color - but not too much Use animations - but not too much Use lots of white space Make sure text is clear and visible Stick to simple fonts Don’t overdue the PowerPoint bells and whistles

Keep it simple

Preparing the data slides Advice from Tim…

Giving the talk First - practice, practice, practice More from Tim….

Giving the talk What to wear? Introduction - start

strong! Don’t take yourself

too seriously Annoying habits Conclusions - leave

them wanting more, instead of just leaving

What to wear? Dress (slightly) better than your audience Don’t be - you want them to watch your

presentation, not you Be comfortable No heels Tie hair back No coins, etc., in pockets Microphone considerations!!

Giving the talk - Introduction Make a good first

impression Don’t apologize Start strong and confident Use humor

Explain what you do and why I should care!!!

Show enthusiasm

Giving the talk Pace yourself

Breath (pause) between key points

Use humor, anecdotes Don’t apologize if you have

to skip slides Talk TO the audience!!! Avoid extraneous verbage Move around Make eye contact

Giving the talk - Conclusions

End strong - be memorable

Give credit where credit is due

Leave the audience wanting more

Return to conclusions slide before/while taking questions

Resources Scientifically Speaking - Tips for Preparing

and Delivering Scientific Talks and Using Visual Aid - The Oceanography Society

Edward Tufte - books, incl. The Cognitive Style of Powerpoint

Many internet resources… Personal observations

Tim McKay, UM Physics

Preparing data slides Practicing your presentation Handling questions