Making Effective Presentations Graduate Student Research Symposium Texas State University – San Marcos Thursday March 26, 2009

Patricia M. Shields Professor Political Science Director, MPA Program Editor Armed Forces & Society

Goals of Session Place and Importance of Presentations Goals of Presentations Organization Tips

Understanding Place and Importance of Presentations Professional Exposure Share Preliminary Work

Professional Exposure Who you know and what you know – way to enhance both Impress important people in your field Meet like minded people – share ideas/collaboration potential

Share Preliminary Work Most journal articles have been presented as conference papers first. Way to get valuable feedback from likeminded professionals.

Goals of presentation Clear goal for presentation – let audience know. Presentation not the paper Clear professional goal for the presentation. Clear goal for the present ation – let audienc e know..

Organization Big Picture (goal - where paper fits in landscape of field) Little Picture – details of paper Synthesis

1.Tell them what your going to tell them 2.Tell them 3.Tell them what you told them

Tips Know your audience Rapport with audience Don’t take criticism personally – act professionally Avoid death by power-point

Review – Goals of session Where presentations fit in career Importance of having clear goals Importance of organization Tips