1. Creating Your Presentation
Senior Projects

2. For your presentation…
You DON’T have to:
Create a PowerPoint (or Prezi)
Create a video
Lecture your audience
Repeat the same information that was in your research paper
Panic
You DO have to:
Be knowledgeable
Be engaging
Answer questions
Present for NO LESS than
10 minutes, and NO MORE
than 15 minutes.

3. Here’s the bottom line:
Assuming that you do create a PowerPoint, your presentation should include:
Six slides
Two minutes each
No more than four bullet points on each slide
Seriously, it’s that simple.

4. How to Start: The Outline
Should be about one single-spaced page (or a page and a half, if you are the kind of person who talks very fast).
Should include six paragraphs:
Introduction: “Here’s what I hoped to learn, and why…”
The four most interesting things you discovered while working on your physical project
Conclusion: “Here’s what I learned.”

5. How to Start: The Outline
This information should be based on the physical project you completed during the last three months – NOT your research paper.
Exception: If your physical project was primarily research-based (such as understanding the progress and treatment of Parkinson’s disease).
Even in this case, however, your presentation should focus on what YOU discovered and learned through your interviews, your visitation and the activities you completed for your project.

6. How to Start: The Outline
Your four middle paragraphs should include the most interesting and compelling information you discovered as a result of your project.
What data did you collect?
What surprised you? What disturbed you?
What helped you answer your initial research question?
That’s pretty compelling.

7. Step Two: Note Cards Turn your outline into 10 numbered note cards.
The cards will include the presentation you plan to deliver in its entirety.
Each card represents one minute of your presentation.
No one else will ever see them.

8. Step Three: Bullet Points
Turn the most important pieces of information from each note card into the bullet points for your slides.
Two note cards = one slide. (That means you’ll have one introductory slide, four slides describing your project, and one conclusion slide).
Not sentences. Not paragraphs. Bullet points.

9. Step Three: Bullet Points
As a general rule, no more than four (4) bullet points per slide.
Even better: a visual of something that illustrates your point.
Audio and video are great.
What you say to your audience is less important than what they will remember.
“And that concludes my presentation on ‘How Not to Cliff Dive.’ Any questions?”

10. Step Three: Bullet Points
Also think about live demonstrations.
Your demonstration should only take 2-4 minutes, and count as one slide.
“I will now demonstrate the importance of the running game, using an adult black bear.”

11. Step Four: Practice Makes Perfect
Ideally, practice in front of your friends. Otherwise, use a mirror.
Start by reading your note cards – alone at first, then with friends. Then add visual aids and slides.
“That was one minute too long, Queen. And work on your delivery. You sound… I don’t know… evil.”

12. Step Four: Practice Makes Perfect
Always practice using technological aids several times before the big day.
If you are creating a Power Point or Prezi presentation, get them to me on a flash drive at least one day before your presentation.
YOU are responsible for reserving facilities (if necessary) and bringing in props needed for your presentation.
No matter what happens on the day of your presentation, the show must go on.

13. Step Five: Any questions?
Try to anticipate the kinds of questions your audience will ask.
It never hurts to have a friend or two in the audience with questions prepared that you’re ready to answer.