1. Dr. Fisher, 20 April 2013 For Astronomy class at ISM
Example presentation for Astro one good way to organize a presentation so you’ll communicate well and get a good grade
Dr. Fisher, 20 April 2013
For Astronomy class at ISM

2. overview
A simple preview of the talk, a roadmap so your audience can know where they’ll go
Introduction
Background and history
The main topic, what are you telling us that is the center of your message
Some more supporting info, maybe from a different perspective, such as what you think about it.
Where will this field go in the future
Summary (summarize 1-5 briefly)
Clever or memorable closing line and image
Thank you and ask for questions.

3. Introduction: with brief subtitle
You need to bring the listener from their place into your topic
Relate it to them, use a question
Have you ever looked up in the sky and wondered…..?
What would it be like to travel…..?
Then, in broad terms, define the field or topic you’ll present
I’m going to show you some of the recent advances in astrobiology that I’ve been interested in

4. Throughout the talk, keep it personal.
Use “I”, “mine” and “me”
Say what interests you and excites you

5. Background:
Everybody needs some perspective of history to appreciate the advances you’ll show.
So give a bit. Simple date list is fine
1500: Smith ground glass to make a lens
1550: Jones used it to look at his neighbor
1650: Nelson made a telescope
1800: Frankenfurter added the wonk device
2000: NASA sent Mission Wonk into orbit

6. How much text to put on a slide?
Never just read your slide, except for short phrases.
Don’t have any paragraph at all on the slides!

7. The main topic, why we are here
This may take a few slides, even 12.
You will develop your story
It is a story
I’m going to tell you a story

8. Change color of text if you need to Images can overlay And overlap
Break up text with images.
Make images fill the space
They should have something to do with that slide, but not essential
Change color of text if you need to
Images can overlay
And overlap

9. Main topic, diving deeper
Can you ask questions in a slide?
Yes, and you can answer it.
Can I ask a question without the answer being right there?
Make at most 2 points per slide.

10. If a point is important, it’s OK to put only one on a slide.
Main topic, big point
If a point is important, it’s OK to put only one on a slide.
And not diluting it with images is a strong message that the point matters

11. The power of pictures, alone

12. Can you change gears in the middle and take another approach?
Yes, sometimes you need equations
Or you might need more history……
Variety is good

13. Do you know how to insert a video?

14. Do you know how to animate?
This is very useful if you have a long list
And you want to take them
One By
Or insert an image later
But don’t become a technicolor idiot and use crazy animations that just really distract and scream out, “look at me, I can push buttons on Powerpoint!”

15. And links? Yes, they help
You can even paste them over another item if they are messy

16. Today and the future of my topic
Everyone the audience wants to know
How does this relate to me?
How will it relate in the future?
Where is this going?
So, do your best to tell them
Even if you have to imagine or guess

17. Your main job in the talk….
Is to engage the listener with your topic

18. Recap or summary Why this topic is interesting to you
Background and history so you can see how it fits with history
Review 2-3 of the big points
Slip in a reminder of the coolest example you used
Say again that the field is still progressing and change will probably come
Try to do this all in one slide so the viewer can see the whole story at once.

19. At the end, leave them with something memorable
100,000 years ago your grandparents wondered about a bright new star in the night. Today, with a telescope, you can see the result of that same explosion.