JKA_F081 Presentation Tips for Engineering Freshmen John K. Athanasiou Oct. 15, 2008 Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering San Jose State University CoE SJSU

JKA_F082 Presentation Tips for Engineering Freshmen The Purpose (For this PPT File) To provide engineering freshmen with a set of presentation guidelines so that they can improve their oral communication skills. Some of this information applies to and will help improve the student’s written communication skills. Please note: “For this PPT File” refers to the document on hand. CoE SJSU

JKA_F083 Presentation Tips for Engineering Freshmen What is it a Presentation? A Oral / Visual form of communication. A preferred method of the industrial and business environment. Is it “acting”? Is it a “performance”? Is it “show and tell”? Why Present? To sell, explain, justify, your design, solution, ideas, to colleagues, management, customers. Remember: -you are presenting yourself in addition to your project. -the audience are listening and watching you. CoE SJSU

JKA_F084 Presentation Tips for Engineering Freshmen Front Page Introduction The Body of the Presentation The beginning Conclusions Recommendations The End The Middle CoE SJSU Basic Format of a Presentation

JKA_F085 Presentation Tips for Engineering Freshmen A.Preparation for the Presentation 1.The Technical Report: First c omplete (or almost) the “project technical report”. The presentation would then be “the high points” of the report. 2. The Very Basics -Use the L 2 rule: Large ( font: minimum) and Loud (voice) -Use simple font: Arial, Helvetica if available, or similar. -Bullets: These are short phrases, “one line” sentences. No more that 2.5 lines per sentence maximum. -Use “third person”: State what “was done”, not what “you” did. Remember: You are not presenting nor writing to “dear diary”. -Use “past tense”: The project has been completed. CoE SJSU

JKA_F086 Presentation Tips for Engineering Freshmen 3. PPT Considerations : PPT color and background selection : What may look good on a PC screen 18 in. away may not be visible at ft. Timing: Estimate ½ -2. minutes per slide. Give time to the audience to absorb the information. PPT Animation effects: Remember that not every line needs animation and not every slide needs an image. Keep it simple. 4.Visual Aid Format: Charts – Preferred over tables. Must be completely labeled: title (other that x vs. y), parameter names and units. Tables (if you must have them): titles, section headings, highlight specific data, (do not read the entire table, use charts instead.) Math (if you must): show the formula and final answer only. Skip all the calculations Drawings, sketches, pictures etc. Each one must have a sequence number and a title (what are the audience are looking at?). Do not clutter the slide. CoE SJSU

JKA_F087 Presentation Tips for Engineering Freshmen 5.Headings and Subheadings Each and every slide should have a heading and/or subheading. 6. Rehearsal : (individually and as a team.) –Some individuals may need more rehearsal time that others. –Have a dry run the day before, and in the same environment as the final presentation, if at all possible. CoE SJSU

JKA_F088 Presentation Tips for Engineering Freshmen B. Delivery 1. Team presentation Presenter: Maintain eye contact with the audience. Stand at about 90˚ and near the edge of the viewing screen. Rest of the team positioning: Stay out of the viewing screen path. Do not become a destruction; Room environment: The presenting team is in control of lights, noise, chairs, and any other obstacle. Adjust as need it. Team organization: Sequence of events and of presenters. Dress code: Appropriate for the audience. (Loose the hat, gum etc.) 2.Reading from notes : An absolute no. If you participated in the design, assembly and test of the project, you can present it without “Q- Cards”. These are for comedians and your Lab is not a comedy hall. 3.Enthusiasm: An absolute must. (best thing since sliced bread). (fake it if you have to) CoE SJSU

JKA_F089 Presentation Tips for Engineering Freshmen C. Presentation Format: PPT Slides : I. The Beginning of a Presentation 1.Title Slide (Cover/Front page). –Sets the stage; The 1 st impression. –Title, Date, Location. –Names of all team members and possible titles of responsibility. (Names of presenter on individual slides can also be practical and shows organization.) –( Page 1 of this PPT file.) 2.Introduction slide: (The beginning) –Must always have one. Connects with the audients. –What is the presentation all about? It may include an outline to indicate where the presentation is going. –It’s purpose/goal. –(Page 2 of this PPT file.) CoE SJSU

JKA_F0810 Presentation Tips for Engineering Freshmen II. The Middle or Body of a Presentation: 1.Design: Your final design concept 2.Built/Assembly: Sequential sets of activities. Use lists, table formats, flow charts. 3.Test: Summary of test set up/procedure, summary of measurements, plots. 4.Performance evaluation: 1.Compare test/performance results to project criteria. 2.Good performance meets/exceeds given criteria. III. The End of a Presentation 1.Conclusions: (Pg 11 of this PPT file.) On information already presented. ( not on anything new). Review of presentation’s key points/accomplishments. 2.Recommendations: If any. (Pg 11 of this PPT file) …This concludes our presentation _ are there any questions?... ( this will wake up those who are asleep and give you an extra : CoE SJSU

JKA_F0811 Presentation Tips for Engineering Freshmen Conclusions (For this PPT File) –Three main parts of a presentation. –PPT techniques: Font size and type, color etc. –Identifying and labeling visual aids. –Appearance and body language of the presenter (s). Recommendations (For this PPT File) –Review guidelines –Generate a rough draft of your presentation –Review with the team. –REHEARSE CoE SJSU