Effective Scientific Presentation

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Effective Scientific Presentation

• Theresa Carpenter
• 22 January 2008
• SIO 209 Physical Science Basis of Climate Change

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Whats Wrong With Scientific Presentations?

• BORING
• Too complex
• Hard to follow
• TMI too much information
• Speaker does not recognize audiences level of
  understanding

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How Do We Give Effective Presentations?
Clear, Concise, Focused

• Connection with Audience
• Verbal vs. Nonverbal Communication
• Presentation Structure
• Preparation

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Connection with the Audience

• Enthusiasm for topic
• Dialogue not monologue
• Modes of Communication

ONR, 2004
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Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

• Articulation
• Eye contact
• Movement

• Facial expressions/Gestures
• Vocal control tone, volume, speed
• Posture
• Appearance

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Planning Your Presentation

• Know Audiencesize, level of knowledgeexpected
  experts in your field
• Know time limit and Keep it!Plan on 80 of
  allotted time1.5-2 minutes per slide
• Tell a storyOutline presentation to keep on
  track
• Start early!

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Designing Your Presentation
of Time 10-25 65-80 10
INTRO provide background common
basis BODY methods, supporting data CONCLUDE
main points shown future story
Morgan Whitener, 2006
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Designing Your Presentation

• Take Home Message- Most important message of
  talk- identifying first keeps you in focus
• Main Question- asks what the THM answers-
  open-ended (how, what, why, where)
• Supporting Slides- start with the money
  slide- all slides should support THM- sequence
  is logical, not chronological
• Title- short but not vague- do not include THM

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Review Your Presentation

• How will I engage the audience at onset?
• Are main points in logical order?
• Is an overview provided in introduction?
• Arrange most important information first
• Transitions how to points relate?
• Conclusions express the THM review main
  points close with strong statement

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Tips for Slide Design

• Keep important information near top of slide
• Use key phrases only for guidance- Avoid full
  sentences
• Only one concept per slide
• Use contrast between foreground background
• Use easy-to-read fonts- Avoid all capital
  letters
• Use photos, charts and graphs
• Avoid excessive use of transition animation
  elements

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Graphics
What is wrong with this graphic?
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Graphics

• IMPROVEMENTS
• High Contrast
• Meaningful legen
• Choice of colors
• Units for axes
• Axis numbering format

Interpret meaning/significance of graphs for
audience
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Practice, Practice, Practice!

• Without practice, anxiety is heightened
• Rehearse in front of others
• Solicit honest feedback
• Videotape
• Then Relax!

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Handling Questions

• Always repeat the question
• Take a moment to reflect on the question
• Answer briefly and to the point
• If you do not know the answer, dont fake it! -
  offer to research the answer - suggest
  resources which would lead the questioner to
  the answer

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Tips for Nervousness

• Practice, particularly with trusted friend
• Outline your presentation keep brief notes to
  stay on track
• Memorize or use a note card with first 2-3 full
  sentences (practice in natural voice)
• Talk slowly

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Poster Presentations

• Readable from 6 away
• Ask visitors where their expertise lie
• Clear, logical consistent columns
• Less than 800 words
• No more than 10 sentences per text block
• Thank your visitors for their interest

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Effective Interesting Scientific Presentations
Are Achievable!

• Plan the presentation
• Deliver message to the audience
• Keep within allotted time
• Rehearse!

• It is the communication process which is at the
  core of the vitality and integrity of science.
• - Philip Hauge Abelson, physicist,
  1913-2004

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Acknowledgements and Resources

• Sara Henry, UCSD Express to Success Program
  Director, Effective Presentations Skills for
  Graduate Students.
• Morgan, S., and B. Whitener, Speaking about
  Science, Cambridge U. Press, 2006, 126 pp.
• Anholt, R.R., Dazzle em with Style The Art of
  Oral Scientific Presentation, Elsevier, 2006, 171
  pp.
• Office of Naval Research, Tips for Preparing
  Scientific Presentations, NOAA, 2004. Available
  online athttp//www.onr.navy.mil/about/speaking_
  tips/Default.asp