BY

TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKING A GOOD

SCIENTIFIC SEMINAR PRESENTATION

Oluwatobi Adekunle, OSO

8-6-2016

TITLE PAGE

TOPIC

◦ Capitalize

◦ Italicize botanical names

◦ Add authorities to the botanical names

NAME

◦ First and second name first (in sentence case)

◦ Last name should be last (may be in CAPITAL LETTER)

◦ Matric No.

◦ Degree/School (e.g. B.Sc., Ibadan)

NOTE

◦ Capitalize and embolden every slide headings

◦ Subheadings (if present) should be emboldened in sentence case

◦ Italicize, write in full and add authorities for every first time a

Botanical names would be used

◦ Abbreviation of Generic names is permitted, but not permitted for

specific names

◦ “Species” as a word can be shortened as sp. (for one species) or

spp. (for more than one) - but NEVER ITALICIZE

FONT

◦ TNR/Arial/Calibri

◦ Headings – above 28

◦ Body – between 20 and 28

◦ Titles of tables and figures – between 10 and 16

BEFORE YOU CONTINUE

FRAMEWORK

◦ Title page – 1 slide

◦ Introduction – 3 slides max

◦ Justification/Problem Statement/Statement of Problem – 1 slide

◦ Aims and Objective 1 slide

◦ Materials and Methods – 3 slides max.

◦ Results – no limit to slides

◦ Discussion – 3 slides max

◦ Conclusion – 2 slides max.

◦ Recommendation – 2 slides max.

◦ Acknowledgement (optional) – 1 slide

◦ Thank you – 1 slide

BEFORE YOU CONTINUE

The introduction slide should carry salient points from your

introduction, literature review and uses (Oso, 2012).

You might want to use one or two pictorial representation of your

plant – not compulsory though (Hassan et al., 2015)

At most; Two to three slides, 4 bullet per slides, four lines per

bullet, and 14 lines per slide (Sonuga, 2013)

Reference all bullets, and do it correctly (Akinsebikan and Idio,

2006)

Avoid using references at that are above 10 years, although, some

standards may be very old e.g. Ohms law, Definition of matter,

Almighty formula, even how they came about the name “University

of Ibadan” (Gabriel, et al., 2010)

Don’t be too stylish. black/blue/brown font on white background

would be perfect

Avoid over-wording, it is called “power point”, not “power word” –

as in the NEXT SLIDE!

INTRODUCTION

The introduction slide should carry salient points from your introduction, literature review

and uses (Oso, 2012).

You might want to use one or two pictorial representation of your plant – not compulsory

though (Hassan et al., 2015)

At most; Two to three slides, 4 bullet per slides, four lines per bullet, and 14 lines per slide

(Sonuga, 2013)

Reference all bullets, and do it correctly (Akinsebikan and Idio, 2006)

Avoid using references at that are above 10 years, although, some standards may be very old

e.g. Ohms law, Definition of matter, Almighty formula, even how they came about the name

“University of Ibadan” (Gabriel, et al., 2010)

Don’t be too stylish.White and black/blue would be perfect

Avoid over-wording, it’s a power point, not a power word

The introduction slide should carry salient points from your introduction, literature review

and uses (Oso, 2012).

You might want to use one or two pictorial representation of your plant – not compulsory

though (Hassan et al., 2015)

At most; Two to three slides, 4 bullet per slides, four lines per bullet, and 14 lines per slide

(Sonuga, 2013)

Reference all bullets, and do it correctly (Akinsebikan and Idio, 2006)

Avoid using references at that are above 10 years, although, some standards may be very old

e.g. Ohms law, Definition of matter, Almighty formula, even how they came about the name

“University of Ibadan” (Gabriel, et al., 2010)

Don’t be too stylish.White and black/blue would be perfect

Avoid over-wording, it’s a power point, not a power word

INTRODUCTION …this is wrong!

JUSTIFICATION

There has been an uncountable number of seminar

organized by the department of Botany, University of Ibadan,

which must b attended by postgraduate students of the

department including MSc., MPhil., and PhD. However, due to

the fact that the MSc. Seminar Presentation is a big deal to

every MSc. Third semester student, there is need to come up

with ideas that would expose them to the tricks behind

making a good presentation, and increase their pre-existing

knowledge of how to make a seminar presentation.

JUSTIFICATION

Justify your work, tell us the rationale behind it, make a

statement the of problem you are trying to address

Justification is Statement of problem …correct

Justification is different from statement of problem

…wrong

Do not reference except in cases of quotes or examples,

and this situation might not apply to botany

Do not bullet except in rare cases

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

This research is aimed at revealing to the masters student, the

secret behind making a good seminar presentation

The objectives include; To

get the masters students informed

bring it to the notice of the department

make a 20 minute PowerPoint presentation …without

making them sleep

get feedback from the students

Materials Used

Sample Collection

Method

Experimental Design

AnalyticalTools Used

MATERIALS AND METHODS

There MAY be no need for you to list the materials as some of

them would be reflected when talking about the methodology.

Some people separate materials from method - STILL OKAY!!!

The number of slides varies by research, but it is advisable not to

go beyond three slides – MAY BE MORETHOUGH!

Sample collection is largely dependent on type of research

Names and number of species collected should be included, as

well as their locations.

It is wise to italicize Botanical names and include the GPS locations

of the location the plants were collected, whether locally or

internationally named locations.

Some people also add voucher number or authentication number

- ADVISABLE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Methods may not be explained if it has been used before, but please

state the method and reference the research paper in which it was

explicitly stated – PLEASE MAKE SURE the paper is easily

accessible, and that you know the method well you know the method

VERYVERY WELL

Reference every method used if it has been used before, and in the

case of modification of a method, state the reference too, if not

modified by you.

Experimental designs used should be stated especially for field

researchers. Laboratory based researchers may not have too serious

experimental designs enough to be stated – BUT all researches

must/usually have an experimental design

Units of measurements must be stated

Magnifications must be stated if used – x10 or Mag 10 or 10micron

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Analysis may be quantitative or qualitative, either ways, analytical tools

should be explicitly stated

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THERE MUST BE A FORM

OF ANALYSIS, EITHER QUANTITATIVE OR QUALITATIVE

OR BOTH

Quantitative tools include – DMRT, SAS, SPSS etc, usually very

peculiar to Ethnobotany, Mycology, Pathology, Ecology, Lower Green

Plants, Physiology

Qualitative tools include – PAUP, Phylip, SeqMan, BioEdit,

Photomicrography etc, very peculiar to Anatomy, Taxonomy,

Phylogenetics, Palynology/Paleaobotany

Both analytical tools are usually combined to give a robust result and

discussion. It is however not compulsory for both to be applied in

equal proportions …especially because

There may be more of quantitative results in some research, while

others have more of qualitative results

They are dependent on each other

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS

Be direct and straight to the point

Record important results

Present table without lines except for borders above and below

Figures or plates should be arranged neatly; maximum of 6 per pageonly if you are working on comparative studies

“Figure” is the modern word is the same as “Plates” which is anarchaic word. Any of the two is accepted as long as you stick to onethroughout the work.

Graphs, charts, trees should be under figures/plates, and it should beone per page

Titles of tables should be above, while title of figures should be below

Follow the tables and figures numerically and continue from previousnumbering especially if you have some figures or plates in previousslides

Label figures neatly, with magnification (x10 or mag. 10).

Use keys where necessary

“title showing” or “table showing” are words that should be avoided

DO NOT REFERENCE RESULTS

RESULTS

Fig. 1:Title of figures MUST be below the figures x10 …CORRECT

Fig. 1: Diagram showing title of figures MUST be below x10 …WRONG

T

DSCVB

C

KEY: SC-Stomata Complex;VB-Vascular Bundles; D-Druses;T-Trichomes; C-Cystoliths

RESULTS

Fig. 1: I will leave you to go and find out how to title graphs, charts, trees, etc …CORRECT

Fig. 1: Diagram showing I will leave you to go and find out how to title graphs, charts, trees, etc …WRONG

A

B

C

D

RESULTSTable 1:Title of tables MUST be above the table …CORRECT

Table 1:Table showing title of tables MUST be above …WRONG

Table source: www.google.com

DISCUSSION

Should be concise and straight to the point

Try limit it to at most; 3 slides, 4 bullets per slide, 4 lines

per bullet, and 14 lines per slide

In each bullet, talk about at least one result against other

research works in that line

Every bullet could either support, oppose, or corroborate

other research work, but PLEASE, every discussion

bullet must be referenced

CONCLUSION

• After been exposed to tricks on having a good

presentation, it should be NOTED that conclusion

should not be referenced especially because you are the

one making the conclusion.

• It may also be bulleted if you have more than one, but try

limit the bullets to 3 or 4 per slide

RECOMMENDATION

• If you have any recommendation, always separate it from

conclusion, as they are totally different words.

• It is not compulsory for every research work to have a

recommendation if you are still on the work, but it is

advisable to recommend because it is evidence that you want

your work to influence the world, or have a follow up

research that would influence the world.

• It is permitted to bullet recommendations as well if you have

more than one.

OPTIONAL SLIDES

• Acknowledgement may not be compulsory

• Reference page should be left out. You may choose to put

it, but PLEASE, don’t talk about it.

• ThankYou page

Bring alongs: Book, Biro, System and Flash drive

Dress well: be very comfortable

◦ Recommended: plain shirt, tie, suit, black/navy blue trouser and skirt,

neck scarf, broch, rose, flat shiny black shoes, well

brushed/combed/plaited/neatly packed hair

◦ Avoid: native, high heels, bow-tie, red shirt, white skirts/trouser

Gesticulations should be slightly flairful (if there is a word like that)

Smile once in a while

Do not panic at any point in time

Be relaxed, go easy and fast at the same time …lol

Do not shout – you are talking into the mic

Be passionate about the presentation

Look into your friend’s eyes when you get stuck, the answers are

in his or her smile and gesticulations

OTHERS

OTHERS

Skip unnecessary points

When you are corrected, don’t try to argue, don’t just say noted.PLEASE listen and take it down on your note - It showsseriousness

Make an attempt to logically answer every question thrown atyou

If you do not have a response to a question, please confess bysaying “I don’t know, but I’ll check it up after now” – BUT don’talways “not know”

PLEASE Mind your language because what soundsnormal/ordinary to you may be really offensive to someone else– Personal experience

It is not your job to call anyone to order, it is the job of themoderator – BUT there should be no need for that, as yourpresentation should win everyone’s attention

Don’t bite/chew your pen, or stare into space

Ssssshhhh …MY SECRET WEAPONLook deeply into your lecturers and colleagues eyes at everysecond of the presentation, even when they are asking theirquestions

Why

It naturally builds your confidence

It may lower the stance or strong resolve of the people you arepresenting to

They become too attentive

They may even become too passionate to stop clapping for youafter your presentation

On a flip side

If you try this as a girl when being asked out by a guy, he mayloose confidence/ego and begin to stammer

If you try it as a guy asking a girl out, who knows, you might justland your dream girl

If you two try it out when he’s asking you out …I wouldn’t havean answer to what - I’ve never experienced it

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

All references in the ‘introduction” slide are names of graduatestudents in the Department of Botany, University of Ibadan, andare used for illustrations sake, as no paper was published relatingto this at this time slideshow was designed.

All ideas are based on my personal experiences fromconferences and seminars attended, videos watched, books read.

All the figures used are from my personal research work.

I am currently a PhD student at the department of Botany,University of Ibadan

My academic interests include: systematics/taxonomy,phylogenetics, plant anatomy, developmental plantbiology/ontogeny, digitization, dna barcoding

My extracurricular interests include: going on field trips, writing,reading, playing board games, playing the piano, exploringcomputer limits, traveling, making friends, and cooking

Contact me: osooluwatobia@gmail.com …twitter, facebook,linkedin, Instagram, academia