Judy A. Garner, Ph.D.
Department of Cell and Neurobiology
Keck School of Medicine at USC
November 28, 2001
References:
Art Feierman, CEO Presenting Solutions, “The art of communicating effectively”
Paul N. Edwards, School of Information, University of Michigan, “How to give a talk: changing the culture of academic public speaking”

 The awful academic talk: what to avoid
 Principles of effective talks
 Structure of a presentation
 Preparing data for presentation
 Preparing the oral presentation: Practice and planning

The Awful Academic Talk: What to AVOID
Why do brilliant people give awful talks?
 Stage fright
 Lack of preparation (winging it)
 The academic culture

 Communicate your arguments and ideas effectively
 Persuade your audience that they are
True
 Be interesting and entertaining (Keep your audience “involved” and focused on your information)

FIRST THINGS FIRST: Planning

The rule of “Tell’em”….
 Key points: Summary/Conclusion Slide
FIRST


HOW MANY KEY POINTS can you really present? LESS IS MORE.
KISS!---Keeping it clear!

 Art of Visual Presentation
 Visual aids/Powerpoint, etc. –
 New electronic media: potential pitfalls
 The medium vs the message
 Summary or Interpretation of Data vs
Actual Data: what is a good ratio
 Graphical presentation: Obfuscation vs simplicity



Know your audience
Talk, don’t read
 Use visual aids
 Move (but not too much!), make eye contact
 Vary your pitch, Speak loudly and clearly
 Finish your talk in the time allotted
 Rehearse
 Summarize

PREPARING FOR THE PRESENTATION
 REHEARSE

Don’t memorize (but DO plan how to present complex ideas)
 Use notes only sparingly
 The importance of non-verbal communication
 Pace yourself