Effective PresentationEffective Presentation

Lena Qiying MaLena Qiying MaProfessorProfessor

Biogeochemistry of Trace MetalsBiogeochemistry of Trace Metals

Soil and Water Science DepartmentSoil and Water Science DepartmentUniversity of FloridaUniversity of Florida

The key to success is

Outline♦ Effective presentation

Key steps Content

Technical Organization Visual aids: legible, short and simple

Delivery 5 components of presentation Nonverbal communication Keep audience interested Panic control

♦ Attending conference♦ 7 Ps of effective presentation

Key steps in preparing a talk ♦ Know your audience

Educate your audience Pitch according to knowledge level

♦ Know your topic Tell a story

♦ Outline your talk Work backwards Tell what to talk, tell them, and tell what told

♦ Practice Practice, practice and practice

http://www.pharmtox.med.uwo.ca/undergrad/survivalwebv3/frame.htm

Audience attention span

http://www.efcats.org/pages/presentation/oralpresentation.html

Three Ts of presentation

♦ Introduction Tell what you are going to tell them

♦ Main body Tell them

♦ Conclusion Tell what you told them

http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~riceowl/oral_presentations.htm#organization

♦ Plan, prepare and present ♦ Introduction - 20%

What you did, why you did it, & how you did it

♦ Results - 60% Provide < 3-4 facts since few remember > two

♦ Conclusion - 20% Summarize results Make conclusions Discussion implications

Typical presentation

http://web.archive.org/web/20010620075413/www.hms.harvard.edu/fdd/comm/two.html

Visual aids

Visual aids♦ Legible, short and simple♦ Legible

Font: Arial or Universal >Times New Roman Size: >24-32 pt

Titles: 44 points + 4 & Body: 32 points + 4 Colors

Contrasting and clear background

♦ Short: less is more Slide 7 lines Line 6-8 words Title 1 line Sentence 1 line

http://lqma.ifas.ufl.edu/SOS6931/pdf%20files/Int-Conf-%20CSSW.pdf

Visual aids

♦ Simple Round off numbers & cut decimal places Substitute symbols for words Abbreviate where possible Delete footnotes Omit sources Avoid underlines

http://lqma.ifas.ufl.edu/SOS6931/pdf%20files/Int-Conf-%20CSSW.pdf

Cluttering and simplified chart

http://ecglink.com/library/ps/powerpoint.html

Poor, better and best

5 components of presentation♦ Appearance

First impressions last a long time Posture is part of appearance Appear alert but relaxed

Take a minute to arrange your papers Take a breath Glance at the audience

♦ Movement Moving stimulus attracts attention Match your message

♦ Gestures Show the organizational pattern Emphasize issues

♦ Facial expression and eye contact Build rapport with an audience Communication is a two-way process

♦ Vocal behavior Inflection, articulation, pitch, volume & rate of speech

http://web.archive.org/web/20010620075413/www.hms.harvard.edu/fdd/comm/two.html

Nonverbal communication♦ Shakespeare's dictum

Suit action to word and word to action

♦ Non-verbal is > verbal message Facial expressions 55% Vocal tone 38% Words 7%

http://web.archive.org/web/20010620075413/www.hms.harvard.edu/fdd/comm/two.html

Keeping audience's interest ♦ Variety♦ Add stories♦ Use humor♦ Establish rapport

Eye contact Use gestures

♦ Ask questions

http://web.cba.neu.edu/~ewertheim/skills/oral.htm

Tips for effective presentation♦ Never apologize ♦ One minute per slide♦ One idea/point per slides♦ Never read from slides♦ Words can’t be read at arm’s length won’t do♦ A picture = thousand of words♦ Keywords only: at-a-glance comprehension

♦ Record presentation

http://web.archive.org/web/20010620075413/www.hms.harvard.edu/fdd/comm/two.html

♦ Most people afraid of public speaking♦ Reduce stress

Smile Nervousness is understandable and invisible Positive thinking

Work like magicYou are whom you think you are

Use deep breathing techniques Check out the room first Concentrate on the message Practice, especially the first few slides

Podium panic

http://web.cba.neu.edu/~ewertheim/skills/oral.htm

Things to do in a conference♦ Three reasons attending a conference

Information, inspiration, & interaction

♦ Give presentation♦ Attend oral presentation

Always ask questions Introduce yourself after the presentation

♦ Meet people Go to their posters. Hang around the poster area in your field.

This is where everyone in your field hangs out. Hang out with your supervisor.

7 Ps of effective presentation 1. Purpose2. People3. Place4. Preparation5. Planning: effective organization

6. Personality: positive

7. Performance: effective delivery

Engleberg (1994): Principles of public presentation