Presentation tips

Academia Raetica is organizing the course Attention please! – Presenting successfully at conferences and other scientific contexts in Davos, on July 13 and 14 and ONLINE, September 8 or 9 (1:1 online training) to boost your presentation skills for "Graubünden forscht 2022".

"In this seminar, we teach and help you practice authentic presentation techniques that work in an academic context. In addition to the 1.5-day workshop, an individual 1:1 session is offered in which each participant presents their talk in preparation for the conference “Graubünden forscht” and receives detailed feedback from the trainer."

Know your audience

• Even though you will be addressing an academic audience, keep in mind that most people in the audience do not share your expertise. Do not use scientific jargon and explain your topic in terms that everyone will be able to understand who is not an expert in your discipline.

Preparing your slides

• Create an outline on paper/sticky notes before you make your slides. What message do you want to convey? How do you structure your talk? How do you start your talk? Use a title that the audience can understand!

• Number of slides: Rule of thumb is one slide per one minute of talk.

• Limit the amount of information on each slide. Use visuals. Too much information will distract your audience.

• Tell a story, use examples.

General advice for slides

• Mind the font size: 24 points should be the minimum.

• Keep diagrams and tables simple. Use captions. Explain what your data signifies and why it is important.

• MFG, ARD, and ZDF: Explain acronyms and abbreviations.

Preparing your poster

• Structure your poster. Start and end should be clear to audience.

• Think of a short, attractive title for your poster

• Limit the amount of text on your poster to 300 words.

• Don’t use more than 3-5 colors. Leave room for white. 40 Percent of your poster should be blank.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

• Practice your talk and time it. You can record it on your smartphone or you can recite it to your friends. Articulate well, speak slow enough, and consider your tone of voice.

• Make sure your presentation fits the allotted time limit. Talk: It may help to determine which slide marks the middle of your presentation.

Good examples for 3-minute talks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkCNUPJ-OIM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e382qkCLWk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrflFPDbD98

Links

• How to prepare for a virtual conference as a speaker

• Attending a Virtual Conference for the First Time?

• How to give a dynamic scientific presentation

• The David Attenborough Style of Scientific Presentation (PDF)

• Speak your science: How to give a better conference talk 

• Making the most of your conference poster (PDF)

Links last accessed on January 4, 2022.