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Making a good technical presentation

Making a good technical presentation. AT560. Outline. Opening remarks Presentation organization Visual aids Timing Summary. Opening remarks. Many scientists give poor presentations First, determine ideas you want to convey Time is generally short so you must be efficient

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Making a good technical presentation

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  1. Making a good technical presentation AT560

  2. Outline • Opening remarks • Presentation organization • Visual aids • Timing • Summary

  3. Opening remarks • Many scientists give poor presentations • First, determine ideas you want to convey • Time is generally short so you must be efficient • Audience background? • Speak clearly and directly • Presentation as performance • Limit jokes, side comments, “ums”, “ahs”, and “OK’s” • Look at the audience • Rehearse!

  4. Organization • Begin with an outline • Provide motivation for topic • Summarize experimental approach • Present results • Discuss results and their implications • Summarize

  5. Visual aids - I • Minimize text • < 8 bullets per page • No long sentences • Keep text legible • > 20 pt desirable • Dark text on light background or reverse • Limit animation • Use tables sparingly and keep them simple Text 36 Text 28 Text 24 Text 20 Text 16 Text 12 Text 10

  6. Visual aids - II • Figure guidelines • Simpler is better • Keep text legible • Choose strongly contrasting colors • Include error info • Don’t use Excel defaults! • Explain your figures • Limit number of figures

  7. Timing • Time allotted for presentation and questions • AT560: 20-25 minutes • Allow ~ 1-1.5 minutes per slide • Allocate time in proportion to topic’s importance • Rehearse at least twice for timing • Simplify or remove slides to adjust timing • Sleep on it

  8. Summary • Remind audience of important findings and their implications • Use brief bulleted points • Point out next steps (if appropriate) • Acknowledge assistance (if not done earlier)

  9. AT560 presentations • 20-25 minute presentations (+ questions) • Major basis for project grade • Content • Style and clarity • Timing • Monday: Rena and Brian • Wednesday: Everyone else

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