Presentations: Do and Don’t… Andre G. Buret Inflammation Research Network Biological Sciences University of Calgary

Outline… Rationale: - Fruit of IRN Faculty discussions - For the benefits of all trainees - sources: my mistakes +… colleagues, meetings… - no gospel!… Contents: - Preparation, format - Slide Format (text, colours, size, figures…) - Animation - Presentation (pointer, microphone, speech…) - Question period

Preparation Identify audience (specialists vs. generalists…) Timing (~1 min per slide…) Structure (…“tell them”…) Spelling… Rehearse (once set, avoid last minute changes…) Dress code?…

Presentations : Do and Don’t… Title: Keep it simple!! The reasons for self-induced pain and unforgiving suffering when in fact you should have known better: The effects of bad mistakes in giving a seminar, and some positive aspects worthwhile mentioning: A historical perspective …does not need to contain the entire presentation…. Example: Cryptosporidum andersoni induces TNF  and IFN  -mediated IL-8 release by colonic epithelial cells via a ROCK and MAPK-dependent pathways in the rat: Effects in a novel PAR 1 -/- / EGF-/- genotype

Short outline and introduction! Don’t stutter at start…(practice!) Don’t use bad/politically incorrect humour to “break the ice”… Humour is ok, but chose wisely….. Start with “thank you Dr. X…” Hahaha…

Outline: “tell them what…” Introduction: Why is this important? Up-to-date !… (with graphs and references when appropriate!) Format with “Bullets” (1 slide in DDW/FASEB talks) Format Methods: depends on type of talk (separate or with results)… as above, “to the point”… Eliminate useless words when proof-reading (but SAY them!)… Results Summary (-ies) Conclusion Acknowledgements !!! - Extra wording

Slide format NOT too many words!… Say more than shown on slide… Use appropriate font size (even for references…) Good to use picture/figure/flow chart instead of text Show what you intend to show: NOT too much data (too many graphs, too many bars in a graph…)

When data are complex, subdivide into smaller parts Give a title for the graphs… Try to avoid tables (if needed, simplify them) Data image should fill the screen Practice to include only slides you will show… (less is more…) Data slides …

Epithelial permeability (2h)

Permeability (2h) Colour / background !!!! Overhead (light bg) vs. slides (dark frame/bg)…

Permeability (2 h) Animation !!! Keep it simple !!!

Permeability (2h) The slide from hell… Buret et al, Size does matter! Inuvik Journal of coprology 2005;123(1):

Presentation Podium or not… (familiarize yourself with the stage) i.e equipment, stage size, water? (do NOT turn your back to the audience) Podium or not…(familiarize yourself with the stage) (do NOT turn your back to the audience) Microphone (maintain a constant distance) (do NOT turn your head…) (clothing and clip-on microphones) Podium or not…(familiarize yourself with the stage) (do NOT turn your back to the audience) Microphone (maintain a constant distance) (do NOT turn your head…) Eye contact with audience Podium or not…(familiarize yourself with the stage) (do NOT turn your back to the audience) Microphone (maintain a constant distance) (do NOT turn your head…) Eye contact with audience Do NOT read the slides Podium or not…(familiarize yourself with the stage) (do NOT turn your back to the audience) Microphone (maintain a constant distance) (do NOT turn your head…) Eye contact with audience Do NOT read the slides Laser pointer : just “point”!…with pointer… left vs right hand Podium or not…(familiarize yourself with the stage) (do NOT turn your back to the audience) Microphone (maintain a constant distance) (do NOT turn your head…) Eye contact with audience Do NOT read the slides Laser pointer : just “point”! Delivery speed (the audience does NOT know your topic…) Podium or not…(familiarize yourself with the stage) (do NOT turn your back to the audience) Microphone (maintain a constant distance) (do NOT turn your head…) Eye contact with audience Do NOT read the slides Laser pointer : just “point”! Delivery speed (the audience does NOT know your topic…) Volume and tone (loud and change tone) Podium or not…(familiarize yourself with the stage) (do NOT turn your back to the audience) Microphone (maintain a constant distance) (do NOT turn your head…) Eye contact with audience Do NOT read the slides Laser pointer: just “point”! Delivery speed (the audience does NOT know your topic…) Volume and tone (loud and change tone) Flow (tell a story) (data slides: define parameters) (watch for mannerisms, practice!…)

Summaries Build your presentation around several questions Gradually reveal the answers (intermediate summaries) During the presentation, refer to previous observations (use sequential and dependent steps) Final general summary Lead into “future questions”

Conclusions, question period Conclusion: Brief and to the point (take home message) Relate back to a major scientific principle (zoom out, highlight significance again!) Questions: Be professional, NOT emotional Repeat (rephrase) the question Answer the question! No one knows it all!!! The end: Let people know when…