Boise State University
Anatomy of a Presentation
Authors
Affiliations
Date
Conference
1
Acknowledgments
People that should be acknowledged –
acknowledgments are free, so why not take
advantage of it?
Funding that should be acknowledged
Acknowledgments can placed at the end of
the presentation
Knowlton
Bill Knowlton
2
1
Boise State University
Outline
Background
Motivation
Statement of Work
Experimental
Results
Discussion/Analysis
Summary or Conclusions
Future Work
Knowlton
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Background
Use the funnel approach
Big Picture & Your area
Knowlton
Bill Knowlton
Funnel from: Eschew Obfuscation: Advice on Writing Clearly, by L.J. Forney & T. Hartzell, University of Idaho (presented at the 2008 & 2009
Idaho INBRE Conference)
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2
Boise State University
Background
Your topic
Literature review
Knowlton
5
Background
Will contain a Literature review
Cite each reported work you mention/use
on the slide you mention/use the work
Knowlton
Bill Knowlton
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3
Boise State University
Motivation
State Knowledge Gap
Knowlton
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Statement of Work
State what you propose
Do so clearly and concisely
It should flow directly from your stated
Knowledge Gap
Both the Knowledge Gap and the Statement of
Work can be on the same slide
Knowlton
Bill Knowlton
8
4
Boise State University
Experimental
Details on:
Devices
Fabrication
Synthesis
Characterization techniques
Photos help
Data analysis
Up to 2 slides
Knowlton
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Results
Graphs are best
Tables are ok
Photos & Schematics are ok
Images or micrographs need a length bar
Use arrows, circles, other geometric figures to
highlight important aspects
Under each figure or each slide with figures:
Should have 1-2 statements declaring what the figures
mean.
i.e., provide a short/brief punchline
5-7 slides
Knowlton
Bill Knowlton
10
5
Boise State University
Discussion or Correlation of Results
Can use plots/graph
Can use previous plots
Under each figure or each slide with
figures:
Should have 1-2 statements declaring what the
figures mean.
i.e., provide a short/brief punchline
Images or micrographs need a length bar
Knowlton
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Summary or Conclusions
Summary for initial studies
Conclusion – work is culminating research
Knowlton
Bill Knowlton
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6
Boise State University
Future Work
Future work where:
Current study has weaknesses
Current study has opened new windows
Knowlton
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Some Dos and Don’ts
Short statements only
Do not use long sentences
White space between paragraphs is
recommended
Font size should be at least 20
Do not use red font – it is difficult to see
Knowlton
Bill Knowlton
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7
Boise State University
Some Dos and Don’ts
Plots:
Large
No more than 2 per slide
Use arrows, circles, and text to point out aspects you
want the audience to take notice.
A short statement (the “punch line”) should follow
below each plot to highlight:
Important aspects
Implications
Tables – same as plots but should be used
sparingly
Schematics & Photos – same as plots
Knowlton
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Advice
Review each slide and ask and provide an answer:
What is the purpose of this slide?
What questions can be generated by this slide?
Practice your talk
At least 2-3 practice talks to the group and advisors
At least 5 times for the final version.
Once directly before you give your presentation.
If you practice your talk, your life will be much more
pleasant.
Knowlton
Bill Knowlton
16
8
Boise State University
Advice
When you are about to give your talk:
Practice Talk at the location of talk
Check out the audio system
Check out the laser
Bring 1-2 flash drives with talk
Bring computer with talk
Get there early
Bring pdf copies of:
Talk
Papers of the work
Business cards
Knowlton
Bill Knowlton
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