Presenting Your Work
HARVARD SEAS REU
REU SYMPOSIUM - NUTS & BOLTS
10 minute time slot per student
7-8 minute talk, 2-3 minutes questions/transition
If you are co-presenting, you should plan for 7-8 minutes per speaker
Upload talk and supporting videos into google docs folder the night before
WHY PRESENT?
This is not a test!
This is also not only about your proposal/project!
This is about you!
MOTIVATE YOUR AUDIENCE
What is important about your topic?
What excites you about your topic
Why should your audience care?
Relevance in society
Understand our universe
Make or improve something
Solves a problem
THE FLOW: Typical structure
Motivation & background
Refocus on your question/design
Methods
Significant results
Conclusion & summary
PLANNING & PRACTICE
Edward Tufte design basics dual coding tools
It takes time to design and then create good slides.
Plan at least 100 minutes of work for a 10 minute presentation.
EFFECTIVE VISUALS
Simple format
Five-line limit
30-word limit for a slide (total, really!)
Large type (36-pt headings; 24-pt text)
Maximize Data Ink Ratio
=
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Erase non-data ink
FIGURES & TEXT
geometry enhances sensitivity to high-angle scattering
FIGURES & TEXT
geometry enhances sensitivity to high-angle scattering
FIGURES & TEXT
geometry enhances sensitivity to high-angle scattering
EFFECTIVE DELIVERY
Stand on left or right side of screen
Loud voice!
Use your hands (if possible)
A little humor always helps
Declarative statements should not sound like questions
EFFECTIVE DELIVERY
Face the audience, not the screen
Maximum: one slide per minute
Practice the talk out loud
Breathe!
EFFECTIVE DELIVERY
Posture
Gestures and Movement
Voice: Breathing & Vocal Muscles
Energy
Confidence
Posture
http://simaar.blogspot.com/2013/03/posture-posture-shows-various-things.html
PROJECTING your voice
Vocal power comes from your:
Lips
Tongue
Jaw
Neck & throat
Diaphragm
http://www.bbbpress.com/2013/05/5-ways-to-help-your-kids-project-their-voice-on-stage/
Voice: Breathing from Your Diaphragm
http://www.octavehighereast.com/breathing-for-singing/
Use laser pointers judiciously
Laser pointers: don’t zip the spot around.
Steady hands against your body to avoid shaking
Use the pointer briefly, to direct attention – then turn off!
Stand closer to the screen (if possible).
CONFIDENCE COMES FROM PRACTICE
Know your material
Practice your introductory lines
When you speak, you may THINK you’re talking loudly!
Ask 2 or 3 friends to sit around the room to watch your posture, listen to you, and look at your energy.
CONFIDENCE COMES FROM PRACTICE
You can also record yourself!
Practicing silently is ok, but it will not prepare you for projecting your voice.
Practice, Practice, Practice…this is how you increase your vocal projection!
Questions?