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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