CREATING AND DELIVERING TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS

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- Announce that we are looking for pictures for
the front cover of the proceedings/conference
pamphlet in .JPG format - - BME WebSItes
(extra credit) - - Explain that all-day
attendance in May 2 Conference is mandatory -
Explain class picture in May 2 Conference
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CREATING AND DELIVERING TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS

• Thomas V. Papathomas
• Matrch 28, 2008
• Information taken from the book Making your
  Case by Anthony Jay

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PREPARATION

• Start by breaking down the unknown into five
  areas
• Why are you making this presentation?
• What are you going to say?
• Whom are you saying it to?
• Where will you be saying it?
• How will you say it?

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1. WHY?

• Every presentation has an OBJECTIVE
• Make your objective as precise as you can - with
  fall-back objectives as well - and put it in
  words.
• Keep referring to your objective whenever you are
  wondering what to include and what to cut.
• Every slide must have a clear message.

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2. WHAT?

• Make a note of all the information
• Text
• Illustrations
• Arguments
• Do not worry about the order at this point

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3. WHO?

• Find out as much as you can about your audience
• What are they interested in?
• What objections might they raise to your
  proposals/points?
• What is their expertise?

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4. WHERE?

• Find out the place where you will be presenting
  (Not as important as the other ones)
• Find out the tools you will be using
• Machine and projector
• Examine the space
• Distance from audience
• Distance from display machine or computer
• Distance from projection surface

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5. HOW?

• Time to start your presentation
• Concentrate on the introduction
• Make it clear
• Make it interesting
• Make it complete
• Give the punch line
• Start arranging your facts, arguments, and
  illustrations to make your case.

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A SUCCESSFUL TALK

• OUTLINE Tell what you will say.
• BODY Say it.
• SUMMARY Say what you said
• (take-home message).

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The Presentation The Start

• Every presentation requires a Preface
• Welcoming Courtesies
• Self-identification
• The intention
• What you are planning to explain/demonstrate/sugg
  est
• The route map
• How long will you take, preferably by section
• The rules of the road
• Interruptions allowed? Questions at the end?

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The Presentation The Structure

• Use a simple FOUR-part structure
• Exposition - Situation
• Development - Complication
• Recommendation (main body)
• Recapitulation
• Do not present a string of unconnected assertions

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The Presentation The Structure

• EXPOSITION - SITUATION
• Establish a common ground
• Present situation
• or
• Past history

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The presentation The Structure

• DEVELOPMENT - COMPLICATION
• Introduce the need for your work
• Example
• Demand is shifting
• Technology is changing
• New techniques create new opportunities
• Prepare the audience for the next section which
  is the bulk of the presentation

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The presentation The Structure

• RECOMMENDATION
• Present all your facts
• Evidence
• Examples
• Alternatives

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The presentation The Structure

• RECAPITULATION - SUMMARY
• Summarize the essence of your talk
• Emphasize strong point
• Do not talk about new things
• Conclusions (put emphasis)

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The Technique

• Delivery
• Mumbling, Hesitancy, Catch Phrases
• Poor eye contact, Dropping Voice at end of
  sentence.
• Do not read from slides or from cue cards
• Speak slowly and clearly!!
• Language
• Use short words and short sentences
• Use active verbs and concrete nouns

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The Technique

• Visuals
• Use a drawing/diagram/picture to present
  complicated verbal expositions
• Detail
• Leave too many details out of presentation
• Have detailed info in back-up slides or
  supporting documentation
• Feedback
• Ask feedback questions especially with small
  audience

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Summary and Questions

• Ending of presentation is as important as the
  beginning!!! And it usually includes
• Summary of salient facts
• Recommendations for a course of action
• Proposal for next steps
• Thanks for patient attention
• Invitation to ask questions

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7 Biggest Mistakes in Talks

• Lack of the Right Preparation
• REHEARSE - REHEARSE - REHEARSE!
• Allowing Fear to Block You
• Inhibiting Physical Energy
• Complicating the Simple (Stephen Hawking People
  who boast about their IQ are losers)
• Thinking a Presentation is like a Written Report
• Neglecting the Importance of Visuals
• Neglecting Todays Technology

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- Announce that we are looking for pictures for
the front cover of the proceedings/conference
pamphlet in .JPG format - - BME WebSItes
(extra credit) - - Explain that all-day
attendance in May 2 Conference is mandatory -
Explain class picture in May 2 Conference