Giving a seminar or conference paper

Eszter Molnar Mills

Head of Organisational Development and

Steven Mensah

IT and Web Support Trainer

Introductions

Your name Your specialism Your research topic What is interesting about it?

Session objectives By the end of this session participants will be

prepared to deliver a paper for a seminar, or specialist conference audience, including:

– being able to plan and structure a presentation for a range of audiences

– be aware of the skills of effective delivery – be able to design and produce effective

PowerPoint slides for presentations

Exercise

Think of the best paper you ever gave or seminar you presented

(or presentation of any other kind) In small groups share what made it so

good

Presentation objectives

The speaker The subject The audience The time available

Planning content

What will your audience’s level of prior knowledge and experience be?

What will your audience be expecting to gain from the presentation? (WIIFM)

How will you be able to adjust when you are presenting? Perhaps allowing time to define or explain.

Consider how you can present you information to meet the requirements of your audience

Presentations - Good Advice?

‘Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?’ he asked

‘Begin at the beginning’ the King said gravely ‘and go on till you come to the end: then stop’

Lewis Carroll

Preparation

Objectives – what do you want to do:

– Convince

– Inform

– Test your work / get feedback

– Entertain

– Enthuse

– Call to action

Preparation

Objectives Conclusion Building blocks – 3 key points Sequence Timescale Detail vs. Clarity vs. Time The beginning – your hook / WIIFM Visuals – see PPT section Questions

Main Title

State Three Topic Titles

Topic Title No 1

State how manyDetails and their

headings

Topic Title No 2

State how manydetails and their

headings

Topic Title No 3

State how manydetails and their

headings

Linking Statement

Linking Statement

Linking Statement

Linking Statement

Linking Statement

Details

Introduce information by repeating previously

establishedheadings

Details

Introduce informationby repeating previously

establishedheadings

Details

Introduce information by repeating previously

establishedheadings

What makes a good presentation

The opening Control Brevity Interest Watch the audience

Speaking to different audiences

What are the differences of speaking – To a large conference or a small seminar

group?– To the academics at the top of your field, a

group of specialists in your specific area or a lay audience?

– Different presentation styles

Interactive exercises.

Slides / presentation of information.

Handouts(booklet/notes).

Presentation

Design and Appearance

Design structure.

Impact of a design.

Video & Images.

Fonts.

Font sizes.

Line spacing.

Colour.

* Guidelines provided by the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB)

Accessibility

Avoid use of Old English and handwriting fonts.

Avoid use of CONDENSED text.

Do not put ALL text in CAPITALS (difficult to

read).

Design a good column layout and flow in your

slides.

* Guidelines provided by the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB)

Accessibility

Use clear and large print.

Font sizes should be 14 pt (minimum), 16-32

recommended.

Good use of line spacing .

Justification (left, centre, right alignment) to neatly position

text.

Good (and sensible) use of colour and tonal contrasts.

Colour The perception of information may be impaired depending

upon:

• - Colour response

• - Colour blindness

• - Colour visibility

Some colours are pleasing to the eye whereas other colours may be very uncomfortable.

The choice of colour in a presentation can provoke both a physical and emotional response from your audience.

I.e., yellow is the most visible colour in the spectrum, use it sparingly as it can over-stimulate the eye and result in fatigue.

Colour Blindness

With regards to colour blindness, some members of your

audience are likely to be affected.

Colour blindness affects 8% of men and 0.5% of women.

The most common form of colour blindness affects the ability to

perceive the colour green.

Avoid highlighting important issues or hyperlinks in green text.

Keep it Simple

Delivery

Aim to be bold and convincing Start slowly Don’t read what you want to say word-

for-word Make sure you are standing where you

can see everyone

Posture and Body Language

Stand up in a relaxed position Always be aware of other people’s space

and don’t intrude into it Use effective hand movements that help

to stress the valuable and important ideas

Smile at appropriate moments, particularly before you begin to speak

Voice

Relax your body Breathe deeply Speak slowly and clearly Very very slowly… Don’t mumble Don’t cover your mouth with your hand

Eye Contact

Keep your head up, use lighthouse technique

Don’t stare – this can make your audience uncomfortable.

Glance at your notes, then look back up Keep your focus on the audience Withhold eye contact to manage

interruptions

The Right Attitude

Be positive! I am happy to be here I am happy to see the audience I am interested in the opinions and

thoughts of the audience I am in full control of the situation

Dealing with Trouble

Backtrack Information Watch your body language Relax, have a drink of water Remember the audience The audience will perceive pauses as a

lot shorter

Handling questions

Anticipation Repeating / Rephrasing Unanswerable Ask the audience Admit if you don’t know

Exercise

Your name Your specialism Your research topic What is interesting about it?

3 minute presentation to a lay audience

10 minutes to prepare

Top tips

Know your material backwards Have a master presentation of all your

slides Then pick and choose for the occasion Always think about your audience Video yourself presenting

Top tips continued

Have a back up plan for audiovisuals Plan ahead for questions Remember: it’s ok not to know the

answer Keep your promises – if you say you will

follow up with the answer or documents, do so.

Your top tips?

Your action plan

What is your next presentation? Considering your objective and your

audience, note three things you will do as a result of this session