evonet summer school 2003 evonet summer school 2003 presentation skills tutorial by jennifer willies...

EvoNet Summer School 2003EvoNet Summer School 2003

EvoNet Summer School 2003EvoNet Summer School 2003Presentation Skills TutorialPresentation Skills Tutorial

bybyJennifer WilliesJennifer Willies

EvoNet AdministratorEvoNet Administrator

“All the world’s a stage”The Theatrical Art of Presentations

Presentation Tutorial by Jennifer Willies, EvoNet Summer School 2003

Am I playing the Am I playing the Shakepearean Fool?Shakepearean Fool?

• Same principles apply whatever the subject

• A presentation is a one-man play with YOU as the actor

• Need to capture audience attention

• Learn from professional speakers/actors

• Really just common sense but worth hearing again


The six “P’s” in presentationsThe six “P’s” in presentations

• Plan a good structure

• Prepare clear slides

• Pace your presentation

• Pronunciation & Projection : work on voice & body language

• Practice & the importance of rehearsal


I. Plan a good structureI. Plan a good structure

• Plan your presentation like a sales pitch

• Think book cover not the whole book

• Essential information only

• Put your ego aside and summarise

• Aim to cover 3-6 broad ideas

• Golden ruleGolden rule : less is more


• What information will THEY want to hear?

• Present an easy-to-understand story

• With a strong focus and clear ideas

• Give them a few good points to remember

• Use detail briefly only in support role

• Do not exhaust with too much information

Anticipate your audienceAnticipate your audience


• A beginning-middle-end structure with

• Short introduction (preview of objectives and main points)

• Subject material (approx 80-85% of time)

• Succinct summary of ideas & conclusions

• 5-10 mins of questions

A A logicallogical progression of ideas progression of ideas


• Importance of positive impact from start

• Your introduction says a lot about you

• How audience rates you as presenter

• Be concise but indicate where you’re going

• Remind briefly of research objectives

• Provide a clear audience challenge

• With expectation of resolution at end

Only a few minutes Only a few minutes to capture audience attention to capture audience attention


Allocate time in relation Allocate time in relation to importance of ideasto importance of ideas

• Identify key steps which led to your results

• Aim for dénouement in your presentation

• Extract essential information only

• They don’t need to know all the details

• Qualitative conclusions rather than exhaustive quantitative results

• Always conclude with summary of main pointsto overcome audience “drift”


II. Prepare clear slidesII. Prepare clear slides

• Minimal distractions to hold attention

• Avoid crowding & too many ideas on a slide

• Decide appropriate number for allocated time

• With clear highlights for audience to follow themselves : this helps ideas to sink in

• Golden ruleGolden rule : keep things simple and uncluttered


One broad idea per slideOne broad idea per slide

• 6-12 lines of text per slide for easy reading

• Avoid sentences & aim for “bullet points”

• Sans serif fonts are easier to read

• Use bold & large font size

• Never say “you cannot see the details but…”

• It implies it’s the audience’s fault when YOU should have prepared a better slide


OHP or Data Projector?OHP or Data Projector?

• Depends on your audience size and type and what works for you • Use advanced Power Point features only if you are an experienced presenter • You becoming flustered if things go wrong• Too risk many gimmicks on the slides undermine your presentation content• Clear ideas and a simple presentation style work best unless a Power Point expert


Minimise slide clutter & decorationMinimise slide clutter & decoration

• Do not be afraid of “white space”

• Be clear why artwork is included

• Proportion the text

• Leave good margins

• Provide colour contrast


Summer School SeniorsSummer School Seniors

• Ernesto Costa: University of Coimbra, Portugal

• Terry Fogarty: South Bank University, UK

• Riccardo Poli : University of Essex, UK

• Günther Raidl : Vienna University of Technology, Austria

• Xin Yao : University of Birmingham, UK

• Tom Ziemke : University of Skövde, Sweden


EvoNet Summer School 2003EvoNet Summer School 2003


EvoNetEvoNet Summer School 2003Summer School 2003


EvoNet Summer School 2003


Avoid distractionsAvoid distractions

• Animated images should contribute something otherwise they are distractions• Bullet point ”sounds” can divert the audience away from your ideas• Especially when iritating and predictable• Your ideas should be centre stage


Slides should move Slides should move audience audience forward forward in logicalin logical p progressionrogression

• Avoid jumping back and forth

• Reformat contrasting data on new slide to avoid fumbling backwards

• Pay attention to technical detail:aim for statistical summaries

• Briefly explain technical data & identify coordinates


Number of beers consumedNumber of beers consumed((52 weeks in 200352 weeks in 2003))


Number of beers consumed(Mon-Thurs of last week)

•Terry demonstrating steady increase in consumption

•Ernesto started well but now in decline

•Jano erratic, but can match Terry

Example: useful summary description of resultsExample: useful summary description of results

02468

101214161820

Mon Tues Wed Thurs

Terry

Ernesto

Jano

Number of beers


Comparison of beer consumption

•Terry switches to wine on Thurs•Ernesto drinks same amount each day•Jano developes a taste for beer

Example: reformat data to avoid jumping backwardsExample: reformat data to avoid jumping backwards

0

5

10

15

20

25

Mon Tues Wed Thurs

TerryErnestoJano

Number of beers

02468

101214161820

Mon Tues Wed Thurs

Terry

Ernesto

Jano

LAST WEEK THIS WEEK


Schema Theorem and Theoretical BackgroundSchema Theorem and Theoretical Background

• The theoretical basis of genetic algorithms relies on the concept of schema (pl. schemata). Schemata are templates that partially specify a solution (more strictly, a solution in the genotype space).

• If genotypes are strings built using symbols from an alphabet A, schemata are strings whose symbols belong to A U {*}. This extra-symbol must be interpreted as a wildcard, being loci occupied by it called undefined. A chromosome is said to match a schema if they agree in the defined positions.

• The string 10011010 matches the schemata 1******* and **011*** among others, but does not match *1*11*** because they differ in the second gene (the first defined gene in the schema).

• A schema can be viewed as a hyperplane in a -dimensional space representing a set of solutions with common properties.

Problem: Too much detail on slideProblem: Too much detail on slide


Genetic AlgorithmsGenetic Algorithms• Basic Operations are generation and evaluation of an initial

population. • Selecting the best individuals, crossing them and applying

mutation on every locus (string position) • Solution is best string present in the final population• Computational effort is evaluation of initial and new strings. • Fitness function is complex, mathematical function with many

parameters • Operators like selection, mutation, crossover or replacement are of

linear complexity and work at constant rates for a given problem. • Traditional GA works on binary strings of fixed length and applies

fitness proportionate selection, one point crossover and bit-flip mutation

Problem: Too many ideas on one slideProblem: Too many ideas on one slide


Difficult-to-read slidesDifficult-to-read slides

• Can you read this text?• Or is it too small?• Or too faint to read?• It means that it is not very clear to the audience• And they may lose key ideas in a presentation

Problem: Font size is too small and difficult to readProblem: Font size is too small and difficult to read


Font types in slidesFont types in slides

• This is Times New Roman• Because of serifs, it is slightly harder to read• This is Bookman Old Style• It is easier because of wider spacing• This is University Roman but is too feint• Best to use sans serif fonts

• Especially in BOLD and LARGE SIZE

Serif fonts are not as clear to audience as sans serifSerif fonts are not as clear to audience as sans serif


Poor Positioning of textPoor Positioning of text• Does not take account of margins• Crowds the text together• Therefore confuses ideas• This slide uses minimal line spacing • And is not aesthetically pleasing• Use Power Point templates if you are unsure• Give plenty of space for ideas

Problem: Poor positioning of text without space between ideas Problem: Poor positioning of text without space between ideas


Colour choiceColour choice

• Depends on personal preference

• Many people think:

– OHP : dark text on light background

– Data projector : light text on dark background

• Whatever provides best clarity

• Aim for complementary colours


Genetic Algorithms

BasicOperations

SchemaTheorem

TheoreticalBackground

Genotype andFitness

Models ofEvolution

AdvancedOperators

Non-ConventionalGenotypes

Implementation of a GA

Response toSelection

Problem: Too much colour clashProblem: Too much colour clash


Visual DistractionsVisual Distractions

Is the audience looking at your text?Is the audience looking at your text? Or are they being sucked into the void?Or are they being sucked into the void?


Preparation of c lear slides

A dash of colour can emphasiseCreativity is good

But decoration can distract

It can compete with your message


III. Pace your presentationIII. Pace your presentation

• If inexperienced, prepare a reminder checklistto check AV, lights, watch, water etc

• If you are nervous: prompt notes with stage & voice directions

memorise opening lines & key phrases

• Ask a colleague for a two-minute reminder


Use sUse slides lides to present the to present the “live version” of your show“live version” of your show

• Present your work; do not read it out loud

• Reading kills your presentation

• It instantly invites the audience to switch off

• Slides pace your talk & act as your prompts

• Watch the audience & adjust your style

• Be prepared to improvise if necessary

• Golden ruleGolden rule : do not read


Managing your one man playManaging your one man play

• Never say “I’m running out of time”

• You should have prepared better

• Work on time management skills

• Over-running ruins presentations

• Plan so you can compress or eliminate

• Do not talk faster, just say less

• Golden ruleGolden rule : finish on time


Repeat & reinforce main pointsRepeat & reinforce main points

• Do not assume the audience has listened to everything you have said

• Aim to leave a lasting impression with a few key ideas

• Prepare for likely questions

• Keep answers short; do not give a second presentation


IV. IV. Pronunciation and VoicePronunciation and Voice

• Be prepared to abandon your normal voice

• Use an actorly approach to voice and your presentations will improve

• Open your voice box & relax

• Practice the “UH” sound

• Aim for a calm voice and easy tempo

• Speak slowly and clearly

• It gives you authority and control


Master your voiceMaster your voice

• Practice voice projection with raised head

• Vary your intonation and speaking tempo

• A droning voice sends everyone to sleep

• Too fast a presentation exhausts audiences

• Leave a gap between words

• Work on sloppy pronunication:

esp English-speaking regional accents

Pronunciation PracticePronunciation Practice

I am a pheasant plucker

I’m a pheasant plucker’s son

I like plucking pheasants

‘Cause pheasant plucking’s fun


V. V. Projection & Body LanguageProjection & Body Language

• Use an actorly approach to body language

• Head back & face forward

• Good eye contact with audience

• Avoid twiddling or arms, legs, pens, ears

• Keep knees relaxed & chest out for good voice projection

• Look interested, positive and upbeat

• Aim for “stage presence”


Professionals’ TipsProfessionals’ Tips

• Actors know when to pause for emphasis

• Aim to stress important ideas with a “punch word” or memorable phrase

• Clear all “uhms” and “ahs” and “you knows”from your presentation voice

• Adopt internationally-accepted English, native speakers especially!

• Try to appear relaxed, even if you are not!


VI. VI. Practice your presentationPractice your presentation

Practice helps to:

• Ensure your presentation is well structured

• Helps you to relax

• Anticipate potential problem areas

• Work on voice projection and pronunciation

• Manage your time


Importance ofImportance of Rehearsal Rehearsal

• Rehearse until you are comfortable

• Privately in front of a mirror

• With helpful colleagues

• Your mother (to her you are a genius!)

• Top actors rehearse before performances, so should you!

• Do not inflict an unrehearsed presentation on your audience


A reminder of the six “P’s”A reminder of the six “P’s”

• Plan a good structure

• Prepare clear slides

• Pace your presentation

• Pronunciation & Projection : work on voice & body language

• Practice & the importance of rehearsal


Jennifer’s Golden RulesJennifer’s Golden Rules

• Prepare well

• Keeps things simple and uncluttered - less is more

• Do not read – use your slides as prompts

• Use an actorly approach to voice and body

• Finish on time

• Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse

evonet summer school 2003 evonet summer school 2003 presentation skills tutorial by jennifer willies...

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presentation tutorial

evonet summer school

presentation skills

audience attention slide

uncluttered slide

audience drift slide

importance of rehearsal

clear ideas