HOW TO GIVE A PRESENTATIONChemical Engineering 391

Organization

OrganizationA. Introduction: Generate Interest

OrganizationA. Introduction: Generate Interest

1. Attention Getters: humor, controversy, visual

OrganizationA. Introduction: Generate Interest

1. Attention Getters: humor, controversy, visual2. Present the ‘Problem’

OrganizationA. Introduction: Generate Interest

1. Attention Getters: humor, controversy, visual2. Present the ‘Problem’3. How does the problem relate to the audience?

OrganizationA. Introduction: Generate Interest

1. Attention Getters: humor, controversy, visual2. Present the ‘Problem’3. How does the problem relate to the audience?

B. Flow of Thought

OrganizationA. Introduction: Generate Interest

1. Attention Getters: humor, controversy, visual2. Present the ‘Problem’3. How does the problem relate to the audience?

B. Flow of Thought1. Necessary information given

OrganizationA. Introduction: Generate Interest

1. Attention Getters: humor, controversy, visual2. Present the ‘Problem’3. How does the problem relate to the audience?

B. Flow of Thought1. Necessary information given2. Points are supported and logical

OrganizationA. Introduction: Generate Interest

1. Attention Getters: humor, controversy, visual2. Present the ‘Problem’3. How does the problem relate to the audience?

B. Flow of Thought1. Necessary information given2. Points are supported and logical

C. Summary

OrganizationA. Introduction: Generate Interest

1. Attention Getters: humor, controversy, visual2. Present the ‘Problem’3. How does the problem relate to the audience?

B. Flow of Thought1. Necessary information given2. Points are supported and logical

C. Summary

D. Timing: 15 minutes!!!

Preparation• A. What is my objective?

Preparation• A. What is my objective?

• B. Who is my audience?

Preparation• A. What is my objective?

• B. Who is my audience?

• C. What is the best format in which to present this?

Preparation• A. What is my objective?

• B. Who is my audience?

• C. What is the best format in which to present this?

• D. What organizational structure is best?

Preparation (continued)• E. Visual Aids

Preparation (continued)• E. Visual Aids

1. Simple (few ideas per slide)

Preparation (continued)• E. Visual Aids

1. Simple (few ideas per slide)2. Easy to grasp (color, arrangement, logic)

Preparation (continued)• E. Visual Aids

1. Simple (few ideas per slide)2. Easy to grasp (color, arrangement, logic)3. Large enough

Preparation (continued)• E. Visual Aids

1. Simple (few ideas per slide)2. Easy to grasp (color, arrangement, logic)3. Large enough4. Types: Power Point, Transparencies, Posters, etc.

Preparation (continued)• E. Visual Aids

1. Simple (few ideas per slide)2. Easy to grasp (color, arrangement, logic)3. Large enough4. Types: Power Point, Transparencies, Posters, etc.5. Quantity: Goldilocks Principle (about 2/3 slide per min)

Preparation (continued)• E. Visual Aids

1. Simple (few ideas per slide)2. Easy to grasp (color, arrangement, logic)3. Large enough4. Types: Power Point, Transparencies, Posters, etc.5. Quantity: Goldilocks Principle (about 2/3 slide per min)

F. Materials and aids organized and ready

Preparation (continued)• E. Visual Aids

1. Simple (few ideas per slide)2. Easy to grasp (color, arrangement, logic)3. Large enough4. Types: Power Point, Transparencies, Posters, etc.5. Quantity: Goldilocks Principle (about 2/3 slide per min)

F. Materials and aids organized and readyG. Effective, non-distracting notes

Objective1. Teach, don’t impress• Leave out details that won’t help• Focus on concepts you want them to understand• Keep content at a level with which they can identify

2. Less is often better• An audience will not remember large amounts of factual information• An audience will remember general principles and ideas that are

illustrated

Objective (continued)

The most important thing is notthat you gave the talk, but that you communicated your point

Who is My Audience?• A. Level

1. Dumb it down to the audience level2. Relate it to the audience background3. Remember- they don’t know what you know

Who is My Audience?• A. Level

1. Dumb it down to the audience level2. Relate it to the audience background3. Remember- they don’t know what you know

• B. Technical Presentations1. Engineers, scientists, etc.2. Interested in technical details

Who is My Audience?• A. Level

1. Dumb it down to the audience level2. Relate it to the audience background3. Remember- they don’t know what you know

• B. Technical Presentations1. Engineers, scientists, etc.2. Interested in technical details

• C. Business Meetings (later in semester)1. Corporate personnel2. Interested in strategy (improve products, decrease cost)

Best FormatWhite Board/Easel Overhead Projector Computer PresentationLess Formal Moderately Formal Most FormalBrainstorming, audience involvement

Static, pre-developed ideas

Multi-media, animations,etc.

Easily modified Difficult to modify Easily modifiedVisually Stark Static but attractive Visually attractiveNo technical difficulties Few difficulties, easy

transportPossible technical difficulties

Lighter room Dim room Darker room

Visuals• K.I.S.S. Method

• Limit Animation

• Font Size and style can be distractingHow about this font? Or this one? or this one?

• Use color for emphasis

Delivery• A. Not Distracting

Delivery• A. Not Distracting

1. Don’t play with the pointer

Delivery• A. Not Distracting

1. Don’t play with the pointer2. Don’t put your hand in your pocket

Delivery• A. Not Distracting

1. Don’t play with the pointer2. Don’t put your hand in your pocket3. Don’t sway back and forth

Delivery• A. Not Distracting

1. Don’t play with the pointer2. Don’t put your hand in your pocket3. Don’t sway back and forth

• B. Smooth, confident, and relaxed

Delivery• A. Not Distracting

1. Don’t play with the pointer2. Don’t put your hand in your pocket3. Don’t sway back and forth

• B. Smooth, confident, and relaxed• C. Eye Contact

Delivery• A. Not Distracting

1. Don’t play with the pointer2. Don’t put your hand in your pocket3. Don’t sway back and forth

• B. Smooth, confident, and relaxed• C. Eye Contact• D. Don’t block the visual aids

Delivery• A. Not Distracting

1. Don’t play with the pointer2. Don’t put your hand in your pocket3. Don’t sway back and forth

• B. Smooth, confident, and relaxed• C. Eye Contact• D. Don’t block the visual aids• E. Voice Inflection, volume, enunciation

Delivery• A. Not Distracting

1. Don’t play with the pointer2. Don’t put your hand in your pocket3. Don’t sway back and forth

• B. Smooth, confident, and relaxed• C. Eye Contact• D. Don’t block the visual aids• E. Voice Inflection, volume, enunciation• F. Enthusiasm

Delivery• A. Not Distracting

1. Don’t play with the pointer2. Don’t put your hand in your pocket3. Don’t sway back and forth

• B. Smooth, confident, and relaxed• C. Eye Contact• D. Don’t block the visual aids• E. Voice Inflection, volume, enunciation• F. Enthusiasm• G. Effective language for the audience

Other Guidelines• Know your audience• Put it on paper• Draw a picture• Show and tell• Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself• Practice, practice, practice• Be ready to answer questions• Let your body do the talking• Don’t forget the details• Listen

Common Problems• Nervous weaving• Playing with laser pointer• Speed demons• Too soft or too loud• Lukewarm• Written notes• Staring at the screen• Too much animation

Ideas for Presentations• Research Group• Internship/Co-Op• Energy (wind, biomass, solar, coal, oil, drilling)• Chemical analysis (bomb sniffers, UAVs)• Transportation (electric or hybrid cars, smart cars etc)• Biomedical (artificial organs, blood, vaccines,

pharmaceuticals)• Materials• Environmental (BP oil clean up, new diesel regulations,

measurement techniques)