Successful Successful PresentationsPresentations
Judy Strang & Elizabeth R. BlackmerJudy Strang & Elizabeth R. Blackmer
The Planning ChallengeThe Planning Challenge
Knowing what to sayKnowing what to say Preparing materialsPreparing materials PracticingPracticing Critique and revisionCritique and revision
The Audience ProblemThe Audience Problem
Who are they? Who are they? PeerPeer ExpertExpert
What to do? What to do? Explain relevance of researchExplain relevance of research Define termsDefine terms Condense and translateCondense and translate
Group ActivityGroup Activity
Group with other cadets who are Group with other cadets who are doing the same form of doing the same form of presentation as you arepresentation as you are
Poster group:Poster group: practice your “30 practice your “30 second spot”second spot”
Presentation group:Presentation group: practice practice your explanation of what you’re your explanation of what you’re doing and why it is relevant (30 doing and why it is relevant (30 seconds or less)seconds or less)
Presentation EtiquettePresentation Etiquette
Grace under pressureGrace under pressure RulesRules Slow, clear, ample speaking Slow, clear, ample speaking
voicevoice
PostersPosters
Check scheduleCheck schedule Relax; let poster attractRelax; let poster attract Poster is background for your Poster is background for your
conversationconversation Memorize your 30 second spot Memorize your 30 second spot
and your 3 minute explanationand your 3 minute explanation Don’t leave your posterDon’t leave your poster
Oral PresentationsOral Presentations
Check scheduleCheck schedule Arrive early to secure Arrive early to secure
technology needstechnology needs Be flexibleBe flexible SimplifySimplify 10 minute limit10 minute limit
15 Minutes Plus 3 for Questions?• Example from the NCUR program: 6 presentations in 90 minutes• Q: If 5 speakers take 18 minutes each, how many minutes will
Visker, the last student, have?• A: Zero minutes.
Creating Power Point SlidesCreating Power Point Slides
Organize ideas Organize ideas ““Magic 6” ruleMagic 6” rule Explain abbreviations, acronyms Explain abbreviations, acronyms No more than 2 slides a minute No more than 2 slides a minute
and fewer is betterand fewer is better Consistent effects; low key or no Consistent effects; low key or no
animationanimation
Slide Text TipsSlide Text Tips
Express ideas clearly, succinctlyExpress ideas clearly, succinctly ““Floor test” for font sizeFloor test” for font size Avoid all caps and fancy fontsAvoid all caps and fancy fonts Use design templatesUse design templates
Tips for VisualsTips for Visuals
Label visuals clearlyLabel visuals clearly Enhance ideas; don’t overwhelmEnhance ideas; don’t overwhelm No more than 2 per slide as a No more than 2 per slide as a
rule of thumbrule of thumb Color balance; appropriate Color balance; appropriate
contrastcontrast
Why Use Zebrafish as a Model?
• Zebrafish have been recently highlighted in Science
• Rapid morphogenesis
• Easy observation• Available markers for
nervous system growth
Morphometric Data
Retina Width vs hpf
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
48 60
hpf
Wid
th (u
m) Control
Clomiphene
Retina Length vs hpf
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
48 60
hpf
Leng
th (u
m) Control
Clomiphene
*p<0.05
Histology60 hpf
Control 60 hpf Clomiphene 60 hpf
For All SlidesFor All Slides
Proofread carefullyProofread carefully Have someone else proofread, Have someone else proofread,
tootoo Practice with a big screenPractice with a big screen
Does Proofreading Really Matter?
• Can you see the errors in these NCUR program entries?
• Do the errors affect your perception of academic quality?
Practicing and RevisingPracticing and Revising
Do a “dress rehearsal”Do a “dress rehearsal” at least 48 hours before the eventat least 48 hours before the event with a real audience: peer and with a real audience: peer and
expertexpert using your actual materialsusing your actual materials
Ask for feedback, then LISTENAsk for feedback, then LISTEN Revise based on the feedbackRevise based on the feedback
Individual ActivityIndividual Activity
List your needs on the piece of List your needs on the piece of paper providedpaper provided
List any outside assistance you List any outside assistance you need to meet your needsneed to meet your needs
Who can help you? Who can help you?
ResourcesResources
Writing CenterWriting Center Look for “Resources for Look for “Resources for
Creating Power Point Slides” in Creating Power Point Slides” in your emailyour email
MentorsMentors PeersPeers
The Planning Challenge: The Planning Challenge: Start Today!Start Today!
Knowing what to sayKnowing what to say Preparing materials: you don’t Preparing materials: you don’t
have to be done with research have to be done with research to get startedto get started
PracticingPracticing Critique and revisionCritique and revision