POWERPOINT PRESENTATION SKILLS FOR SCIENTISTS Diane Hannemann Mc

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION SKILLS FOR SCIENTISTS Diane Hannemann Mc. Dougal Fellow, Careers & Professional Development & Anindita Sinha Mc. Dougal Fellow, Academic Writing

Keys to a Successful Presentation § Know your Audience § Make it Clear! § The Heart of the Matter: Sharp Figures & Pretty Pictures § Prepare & Practice § Zzzzzz … § How You Say it Matters § Not Compatible? § Closure

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

Make it Clear - Structure OUTLINE FIRST!! § Controls number of slides & provides balance - Budget 2 -3 minutes/slide (e. g. 30’ talk = 10 -15 slides) § Have one story to tell: - decide on underlying issue to be addressed - divide into logical, heirarchical subquestions - talk should be series of answers to these questions § Zoom-In (intro) and Zoom-Out (closure)

Make it Clear - Concept • 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 • “Speaker Support” - It doesn’t carry you -- you are the focus - It supports your message

Make it Clear - Don’t Lose ‘em § Science talk vs. murder mystery -- don’t keep you’re audience hanging! § Know the fuzzy borders between experimental evidence and speculation (affects how you formulate your sentences) § One concept per slide - cluster examples rather than moving through series too quickly § Make sure you can be heard! Frustrate your audience & you lose them!

The Heart of the Matter: Sharp Figures & Pretty Pictures • Clear title • Highlight particular areas/words • Don’t crowd with too much info • Give credit where credit due - reference published data; borrowed figures

The Heart of the Matter: Sharp Figures & Pretty Pictures Show bad showing a lot of unreadable info “for effect” bad! if it can’t be read -- it’s a waste & it annoys audience

The Heart of the Matter: Sharp Figures & Pretty Pictures Show bad

The Heart of the Matter: Sharp Figures & Pretty Pictures GOOD (some showmanship here)

The Heart of the Matter: Sharp Figures & Pretty Pictures GOOD Use one of Jen’s figure slides color-coded parts, etc.

Prepare & Practice §Timing (how many slides & length of talk) §Memorize intro and first few lines §Beware of overpracticing * Don’t memorize entire talk -- stiff & BORING!! * 1 X = 10 -fold improvement * 2 X = twice as good * 3 X = polish

Zzzzzz … • Talk to your audience (eye contact, conversational style) • Engage your audience by asking questions • Keep it interesting: - share interesting tidbits - give unique examples/analogies - humor disturbs slumber • Tiny type kills (use at least 18 point font. . . ? ) If you’re bored, you’re audience is snoring!

How You Say it Matters VERBAL SKILLS BODY LANGUAGE • Slow down! • Don’t read your slides - use as cues • Vary voice tone (conversational) • Genuine enthusiasm • SPEAK-UP • Eye contact • Stand straight - breathe • Don’t overgesture with pointer, etc. • Face your audience

Not Compatible? §Ask ahead of time what equipment provided: - overhead projector vs. Powerpoint §What format used: - PC vs. Mac? §What type of disk acceptable: - floppy vs. Zip 100, Zip 250? §Emergency back-ups: - overheads - handouts

Closure • Summary of conclusions • Zoom-out (relevance or application of your work) • Next steps (if appropriate) • Acknowledgements

Scientific Talks - Summary 1. Know your audience & their needs 2. Tell them a clear story developing each point upon the previous 3. Show them the evidence (sharp figures) 4. Keep them awake by engaging them 5. Give them great delivery -- prepare, practice & SPEAK-UP! 6. Share your enthusiasm for your work 7. Sell your message with a strong summary of conclusions Most importantly - Have Fun!