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

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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