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Oral Presentations - Coggle Diagram
Oral Presentations
Preparing for the presentation
Get comfortable with the program options to create your presentation
Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, SlideRocket, Google Slides, Adobe Presenter, and Prezi all have options to create scientific presentations
Prepare notes to use
Speakers notes field on PowerPoint or index cards can be used
Index cards should be written in extra-large print and numbered
Notes should be written as an outline but full sentences can be used for: opening of presentation, closing sections, transitions, and quotations
Know your audience and design the presentation accordingly
Practice!
It will help you create a flow to your words and give the right pitch of voice
Especially the opening and closing sections, as this will give you confidence that you will start and end your presentation well
This ensures you will stay within the time constraints
Making the Presentation
Organize the content; the following is a good format
Subsequent slides: Findings and approach
There should be a core slide that includes your most important figure
Final slide: Conclusions and main points
Next slide: introduction/Background and purpose
This slide is very important, because it is the central theme of the talk and everything else should revolve around the purpose
Credit slide: who worked on it and funded it
1st slide: Overview
Not required for short talks, but recommended for longer presentations
Designing the slides
Pay attention to colors and designs
Key colors/design cohesive throughout all slides
Keep titles in the same spot
No bright colors, nonstandard colors and avoid red-green or blue-orange color contrasts for color-blind viewers
Avoid too much animation
Font is very important
20 point
Light text against dark background or dark text against light background
No nonstandard fonts
Arial or times new roman good for text and sans serif font for figures
Focus on making slides visually well-designed and not text-heavy
For text-heavy slides, use brief bullet points and fill in the rest when talking
Use the 5x5 rule; 5 words per bullet point and five bullet points per slide
Don’t transfer published figures, instead recreate the graphs/charts with clear axis and keys
They don’t need figure captions, this can be verbally said
Graphs > tables/text , especially bar graphs
Giving the presentation
Delivering in person
Speak simply rather than scientifically and don’t read straight of slides
Using your hands can make you look more natural as you talk
To help not look at slides, try to make eye contact and face the audience
Adding transition sentences can help the flow of your speech
Don’t talk to fast and be conscious of the time length
Try to limit the use of unnecessary words such as um or so
Let the audience know you are nearing the end with something like to conclude
Also be aware of the volume of your voice (everyone needs to hear you)
Dress professionally (usually business casual)
Ensure you are not blocking the slides (try standing to the side)
Once you pick a spot to present, try not to move around to much ex. Pacing
Using a laser pointer can be helpful
Arrive early and load your presentation
It may be a good idea to bring various backups of presentation as well as your computer or even printed copies
Never skip over information you have on a slide
You need to thoroughly explain your figures
Delivering remotely
Understand differences to in person presentations
Keeping the audience engaged is harder online, so it is vital to keep them on track
Make use of chat windows/discussions
Technology is important, make sure you can control the technology
Open presentation mode and launch your meeting
Tips for before the presentation
Make sure the audience can see you clearly (well light, good angle, professional background)
Check the sound quality
Put “mute upon entry on”
Test the equipment you’ll be using a day before (make sure it is fully charged)
Understand similarities to in person presentations that are still expected
Visuals>text
Design is important
Knowing audience
Being organized
Keep text simple
Tips for during the presenting
Don’t forget you are on camera
Remember the time limit
Check frequently for questions and scan audiences body language to for engagement
Be prepared for question and answer period
Do's
Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know the answer
Direct answer to everyone
Repeat the questions
Talk to questioner after if further discussion is required
Give courteous answers
Don'ts
Never make up answers
Don’t keep eye contact with questioner
Don’t let audience interrupt your time
Never argue with questioners