Presentation Skills: From Start to Finish

1. Presentation Skills: From Start to Finish Dr. Trevor Norris OISE/UT

2. Why Present? • An opportunity to share the results of your research • An opportunity to get feedback • An opportunity to focus on a specific part of your research • An opportunity to meet people and hear other papers • An opportunity to shape the direction of your field

3. Submission Process • Plan ahead • Leave time • Ask another person to proofread • Follow the guidelines!! • Research the conference organization!

4. Preparation • Rehearse • Read out loud! • Average speed is 100-120 words per minute • Time yourself!! • Accent reduction? (esp important words) • Read to colleagues. • Ask yourself: • What are some likely questions? • How will I respond to them?

5. Question: Reading vs Speaking? • Advantages of Reading • If you’re nervous (or sick, tired, etc) you have something to rely on! • You can be very precise, consistent and careful in your wording. • Advantages of Speaking • Easier for people to listen and follow

6. Tips: • Speak loudly • Speak clearly • Look up, make eye contact • It’s not a full paper, so select wisely!!

7. Dealing with nervousness • practice, practice, practice!! • It’s ok and even good to be nervous! Nervousness is energy and it can be used to help you focus. • Most ‘reasons’ for nervousness aren’t grounded in reason, evidence, or rationales. • Avoid anything beforehand that might provoke you to be nervous • Many in the audience have presented and are nervous or may be about to be nervous! It’s a part of the profession and you’re not alone. • Use the potential for nervousness to help you focus on your preparations. Are there any specific things you’re nervous about? What can you do to reduce it?

8. Taking Questions • Take notes while the question is asked • It’s ok to pause a few seconds to think • It’s ok to say “hmm, I hadn’t thought of that” • This is in fact an opportunity to show parts of your research that might not have been a part of the original presentation! • Remember: this is your territory! You probably know more about this than anyone.

9. Moving forward! • A presentation may be a key transition point in your development as a scholar, and in the development of the ideas you have presented. Use the presentation as an opportunity to rethink your approach, research questions, assumptions, etc. • Consider revising your presentation and submitting it as an essay to a journal!