Tech Presentations Sampath Jayarathna Cal Poly Pomona

Tech Presentations Sampath Jayarathna Cal Poly Pomona

These are only TIPS, not RULES If you are nervous before or during a presentation, YOU ARE NOT ALONE

How to Give an Effective Presentation: Structure Basic rule – Say what you are going to say 1-3 main points in the introduction – Say it Give the talk – Then say what you said Summarize main points in the conclusion – Don’t try to build suspense and then unveil a surprise ending

Tip 1 : Prepare your material so that it tells a story logically – Introduction Introduction/overview – Body Method/approach – Technicalities Results/information/analysis/Discussion/New Theories etc. – Conclusion/summary Use a demonstration of the tool, examples, anecdotes, and significant details Create continuity so that your slides flow smoothly – Guide the audience through your story – Your last point on one slide can anticipate the next slide

Tip 2: Audience Why and to whom are you giving this presentation? What do you want the audience to learn? – Think about this as you construct your talk – Edit your slides -- delete what is unnecessary, distracting, confusing, off point

Tip 2A: Set goals for the talk Frame questions that you would like the audience to know answers to at the end of your talk.

Tip 3 Talk to your audience. Don’t talk to yourself. You are giving a seminar/talk, not delivering a speech

Tip 4 You have to be the master of what you are talking about

Tip 5 Don’t have anything on your slide that you don’t intend to talk about

Tip 6 Keep it simple Items per slide f (time per slide) If many, introduce them one at a time

Tip 7 Figures – ‘1 figure 1000 words’ – Figures should be readable, understandable, uncluttered – Keep figures simple, use color logically for clarification Blue cold, red warm, dark a lot , bright a little Invisible color Meaning attached to colors (color blindness is more common than you think – Explain axes and variables – Include reference on figure

Tip 8 Average not more than 1 slide per minute MS Powerpoint is now standard – If you use something else, be careful to check it in advance No sounds! Some logical animations good Use 3-7 bullets per page – Avoid writing out, and especially reading, long and complete sentences on slides because it is really boring to the audience Slide appearance (font, colors) should be consistent Speelcheck

Tip 8: Color Dark letters against a light back ground work Dark letters against a light back ground are best for smaller rooms, especially when the lights are on for teaching

Color Light letters against a dark back ground also work Many experts feel that a dark blue or black back ground works best for talks in a large room

Tip 9 Methods, Instrumentation – For most talks, only present the minimum Data Tables – – – – Tables are useful for a small amount of data Include units Indicate data source if they are not your own But tables are often used badly

Tip 10 A slide is only an aid to the presentation Tendulkar style has been compared to early 90's legend,Bradman. Tendulkar is ambidextrous, he bats, bowls and throws with his right hand, but prefers to write with his left hand. He also practices left-handed throws at the nets on a regular basis. He is described by Cricinfo columnist Sambit Bal as the "most wholesome batsman of his time".[8] His batting is based on complete balance and poise while limiting unnecessary movements and flourishes. He is strong in hitting the ball to all parts of the field with a large variety of shots, although Bal believes that Tendulkar's back-foot punch is his signature shot.[8] He appears to show little preference for the slow and low wickets typically produced in India, hitting numerous centuries around the world including the hard bouncy pitches of the Carribean and Western Australia.[8] Sir Donald Bradman, regarded as the greatest batsman of all time, regarded Tendulkar to have a similar style to him. In his biography, it is stated that "He [Sir Donald Bradman] was most taken in by Tendulkar's technique, compactness and his shot production and had asked his wife to have a look at the Indian as he felt that Tendulkar played like he had. Jessie agreed that they appeared similar. " If you are reading out a slide you are doing something wrong !

Tip 11 ALL Text should be large enough to read Can you read this Can you read this (8 point) Can you read this (10 point) Can you read this (12 point) Can you read this (14 point) Can you read this (16 point) Can you read this (18 point) Can you read this (24 point) Can you read this (28 point) AVOID USING ALL CAPITAL LETTER S BECAUSE IT’S MUCH HARDER TO READ

Tip 12 Have enough for the time allotted to you Neither less nor EVEN A LITTLE more

Tip 13 Practice, Get Feedback, Get Better Work on flow and transition

On answering questions: During a question answer session, if you don’t know the answer just say “I don’t know.” Learn to manage questions. If you think the question is relevant to communicating your ideas tackle it. If you think it is not, then put it off for a discussion at the end. On managing time: Practice is the best way for 10 minute talks. For longer seminars, tutorials etc. you may have to do dynamic time management. Depending on the audience response in the form of questions/interest/discussions you may have to delete certain portions of what you had planned to talk about or include information that you had but did not plan to talk about. On being nervous Prepare as if you are going to speak to a much more learned audience Present with the confidence of one who is much more learned.

Tips for the audience It’s OK to question It’s OK to comment and It’s OK to disagree with the speaker .Politely Not to make fun of the speaker Not to show your superiority . .This is uncivilized Ask a question only to understand the speaker better!