1. Chapter 19: Presenting a paper
Introduction
19.1 The experts
19.2 The non-experts
19.3 The community
19.4 You
19.5 Conclusion

2. Introduction Presentation at a conference may be scary
Experts may ask penetrating questions
Non-experts might not understand what you are saying
You may bore the audience with too much background

3. 19.1 The experts
State the scope of your talk clearly right at the beginning
Define your concepts clearly
Avoid contentious remarks
Use examples from areas that you are familiar with
Foresee questions.
Be aware of buzzwords in your study field and be prepared to answer questions
Be honest.
If you are not satisfied with some part of your results or proposed solution, don’t hide it. Present it as challenge for future research
Emphasise the contribution that your work makes.

4. 19.2 The non-experts
Don’t expect that everybody in the audience will understand everything that you are saying.
Dwell some time on the non-technical aspects of your study before going into the technical stuff
Try to keep even the technical part as simple as possible.
The interested person can read the full paper in the proceedings
Don’t try to impress the audience with your technical ability.
Expect unexpected and uninformed questions

5. 19.3 The community Slides must be clear and uncluttered
Letter size, contrast, sparing use of colour
Don’t use technology that will take long to set up
Prepare transparencies as a back-up
Verify beforehand that the technology that you will require will be available.
Make sure that you dress correctly

6. 19.4 You Be yourself Practise your presentation
Make sure your presentation fits into the allotted time slot
Plan how you will make up the time if you fall short
Plan what slides can be left out in case you run out of time.
Business cards

7. 19.5 Conclusion Presenting at a conference is worthwhile
You get an opportunity to discuss your ideas with others working in the same field
Forge relationships with other researchers