Guidelines for giving Effective Presentations

Introduction Marking scheme for your talk Tips on talks Structure of your talk How to present technical content Answering questions Checklists

Your Honours Talk 30 minute timeslot: 20 minute talk 5 minutes questions Your seminar is marked according to: 4: Content (technical competence) 4: Presentation (delivery of technical material) 2: Responses to questions It counts 10% of your honours project

The Top 6 Turnoffs Poor visuals Unclear structure Repetitive habits Monotone voice Reading verbatim Disorganised

Talk Structure Tips Give your talk a snappy title! All talks should have: Introduction – tell them what you're going to tell them Main Body – tell them Conclusion/Summary – tell them what you’ve told them

Introduction The opening should grab attention

Main Body Level of detail should be appropriate to the audience tell them so that they will understand. Give signposts when you go from one point to another so audience can follow. Involve the audience mentally (interesting and effective visuals) verbally (questions and comments) or physically (activities or discussions)

Audience of Mathematicians Mathematics is quite area-specific Audience from general backgrounds 80/20 rule: 80% general 20% specifics Motivation and comprehensive introduction helps

Conclusion/Summary Is the "take-home" message clear? Perfectly valid to flag future work or possible extensions

Slide Design Tips KISS No more than 6 words per line, 6 lines per slide is a good guide Visual clarity is essential Use big and bold text Use all of screen Ensure consistency of headings, design, colour, font size.

Slide Use Tips Talk to audience, not screen. Do not "read" slides Do not block the audience view Point to the screen, rather than the OHP You should have about 1 slide per minute (20 slides) Do not change the slides too quickly

Mathematics on Slides Long complex equations are impossible to read from the back of the room. Give a feel for complex mathematical equations with animation uncovering or clumping

Dynamic Program Let V = E(P|t,S,NA,NB) Sample Slide Dynamic Program Let V = E(P|t,S,NA,NB) Suppose A is batting, so NB=10, 1<NA10, dSi  0 Expected increment from a hit Value upon dismissal Value in declaring

Sample Slide Expected Payoff NA=1

Rehearsing Run through at least once before approaching your supervisor Preferably present a practice run in front of your supervisor Provide a set of notes to your supervisor in advance

Answering Questions Thank the questioner Repeat the question so that the people at the back know the question Professional ethics imply “don’t know” is a valid response Answer confidently and with a definite conclusion to the response

Structure Checklist · Clear introduction and intent · Logical flow ·        Clear message ·        Clear summary ·        Confident answers to questions ·        Finish on time

Visual Checklist · Complement not compete ·        Bullet points not paragraphs ·        Clear in meaning ·        Legible, large font ·        Impactful design/colour

Voice Checklist · Clear, confident, interesting ·        Enthusiastic inflection ·        Minimal uhmms ·        No monotone ·        No reading verbatim

Body Checklist · Good position, posture, language ·        Eye contact (even, regular) ·        Facial expressions match verbals ·        Conveys enthusiasm/warmth/confidence ·        No distracting mannerisms

Equipment Checklist · Knowledge of use · Audience sited not blocked ·        Visuals high on screen ·        Visuals occupy width of screen

Remember Be prepared Don’t cram in too much Remember the 80/20 rule