1. Scientific Presentations
Intro to Oral Presentations

2. What are you trying to accomplish in any presentation?
"In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in poetry, it's the exact opposite."
- Paul Dirac ( )

3. What is required for communication in science?
“Cleverness, beauty, originality, and style (although extremely important in the design of experiments) are not required in scientific writing. What is required is a clear, logical, orderly presentation of your question, how you planned to answer it, what your results were, and what you concluded .”
Ambrose et al
Do you agree?

4. Objectivity in Science
“Objectivity in science is obtained not by the individual scientist, who is always subjective, but by the scientific community as a whole.”
Milton Rothman

5. Scientific Papers
Written
Oral
Poster

6. Elements Title Abstract or summary Introduction or Background
Methods & materials
Results
Discussion
References/Literature-cited

7. Oral Presentations Meetings Symposia Seminars
Proceedings are not usually primary…
Not widely published
Often review in nature
Usually preliminary
Rarely peer review or limited
Minimal editing

8. Communicating in Science
Know your audience
Know your purpose
Spend time writing down your thoughts

9. Tips: Before Presentation
Check location, lighting, audiovisuals ahead
Notes
Become comfortable w/ material & possible questions - Practice! Practice! Practice!
Slides
Organize similar to paper, but simpler
Time limit

10. Tips: About the Presentation
Tell as a story
Be enthusiastic
Guide audience: tell purpose beginning, middle & end
Endings
Humor
Anticipate problems
Appropriate dress

11. Tips: During Presentation
Look at your audience
Speak up
Concentrate on audience understanding
Do not be afraid of pauses

12. Poster Presentations Generally only a subset of the final publication
Often preliminary in nature: Why?

13. Poster Presentations Appearance of poster Content
Characteristics of well-designed
Presentation

14. Poster Appearance Layout… start w/ a sketch Balance Graphics & text
Appealing
Eye catching, not overpowering
Color: uniform or w/ meaning
Flow
Balance
Weight
White space
Text vs. graphics
Graphics & text
Readable
Font selection: Serif vs san sarif