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REU College of Engineering
Presentations in Science
Prof. Amber Gee, Department of Communication
Challenges with Public Speaking
• What are some challenges with public speaking?
• What are some challenges with group presentations?
• What are some questions you have about giving presentations?
What do all Presentations Share?
1. Audience Analysis
2. Clear Goal and Information
3. Organized
4. Intro and Con
5. Strong Delivery Methods
6. Quality Visual Aid design and use
“Tracking the Trackers” – Gary Kovacs Video
Audience Analysis
Analyze the audience
• Who are they?• Age, education, work
history, industry, etc. • What knowledge do they
have?• What knowledge do they
need?
Audience Analysis
What do we do with this information?
• Word Choice• Explanations• Visual Aids• Tone of voice• Humor• Organization
What do you know about your final presentation audience? List 5 items
Basic Presentation Organization
The Parts
• Introduction/Opening
• Goal• Body
• Bulk of the info• Conclusion/Ending
• Review• Q&A
Intros and Conclusions
• Intro and Conclusion
• Often overlooked• 10-20% of the presentation
• Measure this in time• 20 minute = 2-4 minutes each
Intros and Conclusions
• Grocery List
1. Makes intro and conclusion important
2. Burdens the middle of the presentation
•Primacy-Recency Effect
Intros and Conclusions
Purpose
1. Relates to audience
• Greeting
2. Credibility3. Impacts audience
• Explains why topic is important
• Makes is accessible
• Gets attention
4. States goal and previews points
Introduction
Intros and Conclusions
Purpose
1. Bring audience back
2. Reinforces goal
3. Brings back the impact
• Primacy-Recency
ConclusionHow important is the end of a movie?
Clear Goal and Information
Goal
What is the purpose of your presentation?• Needs to be obvious to audience• Emphasize it
– Lead off with it– Repetition – Keep the goal as the focus
Tip• Add to preview slide
Clear Goal and Information
Information
• Specific• Organized• Complete for time limit• Appropriate for audience• Cite Sources
Where is it important to be specific?
• Deli• Doctor• Directions
Organization
• How to organize a presentation
• Categorize material• 3-5 sections• Preview statement • Should be obvious • Reinforce verbally and
visually
Why is organization important?
Visual Aids: Set up, Design & Use
What is the purpose of a visual aid?
• Increase understanding• Make it interesting• Others?
Excellent PowerPoints - http://tinyurl.com/REUexcellentpowerpoints
Death by PowerPoint - http://tinyurl.com/REUdeathbypowerpoint
Visual Aids: Set up, Design & Use
Design Basics
• Consistency• Simplicity• Readability
Simplicity• 4X4 or 6X6• More pictures
Consistency• Similar colors and fonts
• All headings the same
Readability• Use large enough font
• 24 or larger• Bullet vs. paragraphs• High contrast color combo
Visual Aids: Set up, Design & Use
Font Choice
• San Serif font for headings
• Arial, Calibri• Serif font for text
• Times New Roman, Courier, GaramondColor
• High contrast
• Yellow, Blue, Red, Black
Visual Aids: Set up, Design & Use• Using Visual Aids
• Don’t ignore it• It’s a tool – use it
• Don’t focus on it• Use notes, rather than slides• Avoid reading from slides or staring at objects
• Be sure it is worth it• Assess if it helps your audience
• Find a friend• Have someone else run your slides or get a
remote
IntroductionThe Basics
Strong Delivery
Individual
• Eye Contact• Enthusiasm• Conversational• Confidence• http://tinyurl.com/REUdeliverytips
ReviewWith all presentations, you should . . .• Analyze your audience
• Clear goal, information and organization• Organize your speech into 3-5 points
• Strong Intro and Conclusion
• Strong Delivery
• Use and choose your Visual Aid well
Speaking in Groups
How is it different?
• You have more people
• Each person will speak
• Merge different styles
• More information
• Pull together
• You get help running a visual aid
Speaking in Groups
Group Necessities
Add in Transitions• Between speakers
Help with Slides• Never run your own slides
(Disclaimer: unless you have a remote)
Rehearse as a group• With visual aids too
Speaking as a Scientist
What are the challenges in Science based presentations?
• Complex information
• Project Goal vs. Presentation Goal
• Creating impact for the audience
• So much information, so little time
• How do I explain it to lay people?
• Visual aid problems
Speaking as a Scientist
Create Impact for Audience
• Introduction• How does topic relate to me?• Why should we care?
Clear goal
• No goal = confusion
Simplify
• Concepts• Visual aids – ex. graphs, charts, etc. • Add slide numbers
The End
Create a dynamic, engaging group presentation by . . .
1. Analyzing your audience
2. Presenting a clear goal and organized information
3. Starting and ending strong
4. Practicing
5. Designing simple and well-designed visuals
6. Transitioning between speakers