P RESENTATION S KILLS and EXPECTATIONS

1. PRESENTATION SKILLS andEXPECTATIONS Whitney Wiltshire, Ph.D. University of Mississippi Medical Center Emergency Medicine Resident Lecture July 15, 2008 Adapted from McDougal University

2. Learner Objectives • At the conclusion of this presentation, participants: • will be able to describe strategies for effective presentations • will be able to identify departmental presentation expectations

3. Know your presentation style!

4. Speak to the audience • Slow down • Speak up • Don’t read your slides (use as cues) • Vary voice tone (conversational) • Genuine enthusiasm Verbal Presentation Style

5. Appearance • Dress appropriately for public speaking • Tie/jacket or dress is encouraged • Body Language • Use a comfortable, confident style of presentation • Do not speak to the screen/monitor/ceiling • Do not overuse the laser pointer • Face the audience • Stand Straight • Eye Contact Non-Verbal Presentation Style

6. Verbal fillers • Um”, “hmmm”, “ah, “uh”, “like” • Any unrelated word or phrase • Swaying, rocking, and pacing • Hands in pockets • Fidgeting • Failure to be audience-centered Common Problems

7. In your field - can jump in with brief background; non-experts - need more set-up • Purpose of your talk (Convince? Update? Teach?) • Convey enthusiasm about your work • Don’t talk over their heads; don’t talk down to them Know your audience

8. Style & format • use color to highlight & organize • be consistent (audience knows where to look) • Read through presentation and see if main points stand-out • Heading = WHAT or HOW • Summary statement = CONCLUSION Presentation Clarity

9. Smile • Breathe • Water • Notes • Finish On Or Under Time 5 easy presentation tips

10. Keep it simple and clear • If you understand it - you should be able to explain it in simple terms. • It is not enough to know it - you have to explain it clearly. • More information more learning

11. Be prepared • know your presentation • Rehearse (but don’t over rehearse!) • Talk with audience beforehand • Provide Handouts • Turn your nervousness into energy • Ask questions Managing Fear

12. Planning Who are you talking to? Why are you talking to them? How long do you have to talk? What main points do you want to convey?

13. Preparation Outline and sketch slides Prepare slides Proof read Prepare notes brief keywords and phrases, except maybe first few paragraphs

14. Like most things, the best way to learn is to do

15. Preparation - Outline EM Department Grand Rounds Standards / Expectations Introduction (1 slide) Learning Objectives (1-2 slides) Background/Clinical Importance (5-10 slides) Pathophysiology (10-15 slides) Differential diagnosis (2-3 slides) Treatment options (5-10 slides) Evidence based medicine summary (5-10 slides) References – 5 non-textbook references (1 slide)

16. Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics

17. Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers

18. Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background

19. Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds

20. Preparation - Slides 24 pt is minimum, 32 pt, or even 36 pt is better Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds

21. If it can’t be read – it’s a waste & it annoys the audience

22. Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mix upper and lower case

23. Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mix upper and lower case Use color to highlight text Use high contrast colors for important lines, symbols or text, and lower contrast colors for less important lines, symbols or text.But use a limited number of colors

24. Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mixture upper and lower case Use color to highlight text Keep figures simple

25. Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mixture upper and lower case Use color to highlight text Keep figures simple Thick lines and large symbols

26. Show means, sd, effect size statistics, but not test statistics

27. Performance Don’t Apologize Speak loudly & clearly Use short simple sentences Avoid unfamiliar jargon & abbreviations Vary pitch, tone, volume, speed and pauses

28. Performance Avoid distracting mannerisms Relax, be enthusiastic Make eye contact Be aware of the time remaining

29. Performance • Visual Aids should: • Supplement presentation • Outline main points • Serve audience’s needs, not speaker’s • Simple and clear Explain figures, and point to important aspects Vs.

30. Questions Paraphrase questions 1. so that other people hear the question

31. Questions Paraphrase questions from the audience 1. so that others hear the questions 2. to make sure you understand the questions

32. Questions Paraphrase questions from the audience 1. so that others hear the questions 2. to make sure you understand the questions 3. to stall while you think about an answer

33. Questions If you don’t know the answer, say so. Offer to find out. Ask the audience.

34. Ask ahead of time what equipment provided: - overhead projector vs. Powerpoint What format used: - PC vs. Mac? CD / Memory Stick (flash drive) / Zip? Emergency back-ups: - overheads - handouts Extra preparation hints

35. Learner Objectives • Name two strategies for an effective presentation • Name two departmental presentation expectations

36. Questions?