Making Oral Presentations Joe Orlins, P.E., Ph.D. Doug Cleary, Ph.D., P.E. Civil and Environmental Engineering Rowan University

Outline Goals of presentations Elements of good presentations Things to avoid Tips on style Sample presentation

Goals of Presentations Inform your audience –Tell the world what you’ve discovered! Compare your findings with others –Especially important for new research Show your stuff! –You may be speaking to future employers –Your grade may depend on how well you do

Elements of Good Presentations Legible slides Readable charts & graphs Use of illustrations & photographs Good vocalization Good “presence” Rehearsal

Elements of Good Presentations Clear, legible slides –Use large typefaces & simple fonts –Bulleted lists summarizing key points –3-6 items per slide 32 Point Times New Roman –28 Point Arial 24 Point Times New Roman

Elements of Good Presentations Make charts readable –Label axes –Include legend –Use symbols & lines Interpret for audience –Describe graph –Explain trends

Elements of Good Presentations Include pictures –Add emphasis –Describe key points Check file sizes –Too big = slow loading –Resolution OK?

Elements of Good Presentations Good vocalization –Speak to the audience –Can person in last row hear you? Pace yourself –Conversational tone –Don’t speed through slides

Elements of Good Presentations Make eye contact Don’t fidget Use pointer wisely

Elements of Good Presentations Rehearse your talk!! –Use built-in timer Add or reduce number of slides as time dictates –Practice in front of real audience Ask for constructive feedback

Things to Avoid Cluttered slides Messiness Too much text on slides Tables of raw data Bells & whistles Unreadable colors Lack of illustrations Rushing through slides to show them all Poor posture & grooming “Ten Commandments of Bad Talks”

Ten Commandments Thou shalt not be neat Thou shalt not waste space Thou shalt not covet brevity Thou shalt use many different sounds & animations Thou shalt not be legible

Ten Commandments Thou shalt not use color Thou shalt not illustrate Thou shalt not make eye contact Thou shalt not skip slides Thou shalt not practice

Tips on Style Readable colors Simple backgrounds / layouts Gesture effectively Dress neatly

Summary Neat Slides Clear Illustrations Good Vocalization Good Presence Rehearsal !