Some General Points To Consider For an Effective Seminar

1. Some General Points To Consider For an Effective Seminar • Be Enthusiastic! • do not speak in a monotone voice • do not read your slides • gesture, move about (within reason) • look at and engage your audience • have fun and be yourself • Do Not Make your Audience Work. • speak clearly, loudly and slowly • speak to the audience NOT to your slides • make your slides simple and easy to read

2. Some General Points To Consider For an Effective Seminar • Do Not Try To Cover Too Much Material • focus on the important information • Be Professional, But Not Reserved • treat audience with respect • Be Prepared and Organized • know your subject matter • come early • View Seminar as a Story to be Told • Use Your Nervousness Productively • be prepared • stay focused

3. A SEMINAR DESCRIBING THE METHODS, APPROACHES, TECHNIQUES, STYLES AND SKILLS FOR GIVING A SUCCESSFUL, EFFECTIVE, PRODUCTIVE, INFOMRATIVE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SEMINAR THAT WILL ENABLE YOU TO SUCCESSFULLY ADVANCED IN YOUR CAREER OF CHOICE, GEARED TOWARD NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS, FIRST-TIME and NOVICE SEMINAR SPEAKERS Robert Powers Chemistry Department University of Nebraska

4. GIVING A SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATION David S. Hage Chemistry Department University of Nebraska

5. Seminar Outline • The Introduction – “Tell the audience what you are going to tell them” • Important Background Material • Give Overall Perspective –Scientific Relevance (Big Picture) • Give All Audience Members Same Foundation • Bullet List of Important Topics (Table of Contents) • Use Throughout Highlight the Progress • The Main Body of the Presentation – “Tell them” • The Conclusion – “Tell them what you told them” • Summarize the Important/Main Points (Take Home Message)

6. KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN PREPARING • What is the purpose of the seminar? • convey results • get “Buy” in for project • scientific review • Who is your audience? • general vs. expert • How much time do you have for your presentation? • good rule of thumb: two minutes of presentation per slide • 20 to 25 slides for a 45 minute seminar • What materials should you use? • PowerPoint presentations are the overwhelming choice at scientific conferences • have a backup!

7. What is the Purpose of Your Seminar? • To Present Your Research? • To Review a Topic? • To Begin a Discussion? *Use the purpose of the seminar guide you in preparing for your talk*

8. Who is Your Audience? • Students? • Faculty? • Scientists in Your Field? • Scientists in a Different Field? • A General Audience? *Choose materials and a level of discussion that is appropriate for your audience*

9. How Much Time Do You Have For Your Presentation? • How much material can be covered? • focus on the important issues • How much time must be used for an Intro.? • give only background that is need to understand content/relevance. • How much time must be left for questions? • typically 5-10 minutes *Always stay within your allotted time*

10. What Materials Should You Use? 35 mm Slides Overhead Transparencies PowerPoint Slides Videotapes Web Resources Chalkboard/Wipe Board *Choose a medium that fits with your time slot, audience and subject matter*

11. General Rules for a Successful Seminar • Know your subject • Be organized • Check the pronunciation & meaning of unfamiliar words • Practice, practice, practice… *The better prepared, organized, and rehearsed you are, the easier it will be to give your presentation*

12. Preparation of Seminar Materials • Use an Easy-to-See Size (NOT a Small One) • Use Clear, Contrasting Colors (NOT Loudor Similar Colors) • Avoid Clutter or Too Much Material/Slide • Use Graphs, Figures, Animations, etc. • Check for Errors in Your Slydes • Always Acknowledge Outside Sources • Do Not Overdue “Special Effects”

13. SUMMARY • This is the last thought that you leave with your audience, so make it good. • Use short statements to summarize the main points of your talk. • Keep your points pertinent to your presentation, rather than using this a chance to add in new points. *Leave the audience with a positive impression*

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • For a research presentation • mention those who contributed to the work discussed in your presentation. • list all sources of pertinent funding. • Reference ALL Articles From Which Data is Presented • usually on the same slide with the data • Thank the audience for taking part in your presentation.

15. THE QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD • Allow time for questions at the end of the seminar. • Be familiar with your material so that you can answer the questions. • Treat all members of the audience who ask questions with respect (even if they don’t do the same). • Some questions may involve speculation. If they do, state before you answer that this is what your doing. • Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know the answer or didn’t do the experiment. • Take criticism gracefully.