BIONB 4240
Neuroethology
Cornell University
Making an Oral Presentation
Making an Oral Presentation in BioNB 4240
The document is intended to provide some tips and pointers on how to make a good
presentation to our Neuroethology class. Students will present once during the semester either
singly or in pairs. Below is a checklist that will be used for feedback and grading.
There are some simple things you can do to make your Journal Club presentation better. Below
I list a number of resources that cover some of the basics that are worth considering.
In this class, students will either select an article on their own for presentation, or pick a day
when an article is already assigned.
When picking an article, try to pick something relatively modest and short, so that it can be
adequately covered in the time allotted. Papers in Nature and Science, PLOS Biology,
Transactions of the Royal Society B, PNAS all tend to be short articles. Check it out carefully
before deciding.
Use electronic resources such as Pub Med to find papers on a given subject. For example,
search for articles on, say, “Doppler Shift Compensation in Bats” or some other series of key
words. Use various news sources for tips on recent articles: Nature News, Science News,
Science Digest, etc. Use Cornell Chronicle for Cornell-related articles. Use International Society
for Neuroethology website for recommendations. Use Faculty of 1000 for recommendations of
important articles (with rankings – must read, or outstanding etc. to help guide your choice).
Ask the faculty, post docs, graduate students for help. Use the textbook for key references.
Resources
Guidelines for Oral Presentations: http://go.owu.edu/~dapeople/ggpresnt.html
Rubric for journal club presentation at MIT
Ten simple rules for Making a Good Oral Presentation
How to do a journal club
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BIONB 4240
Neuroethology
Cornell University
Making an Oral Presentation
Person giving Oral Presentation_________________________________________________
Person giving Feedback________________________________________________________
Topic_______________________________________________________________________
Date_______________________________________________________________________
Feedback and Grading
Check list for Journal Club Presentations
Preparation
Speaker selects paper with care, using an electronic, paper, or
other resource (Pub Med, Faculty of 1000, Nature News,
Science news and Views, reference from a recent article,
recommendation of faculty member or researcher in field,
textbook).
Speaker reads paper at least a week in advance.
Speakers consults with faculty to review choice of topic,
organization, background, key points, slides.
Speaker makes good quality copies of artwork.
If two speakers work together, there is good division of labor;
speakers contribute equally to preparation and presentation.
Organization
Presentation is organized and has a clear logic.
Speaker introduces the content of the presentation, prepares
the audience.
Speaker summarizes the main points, reiterates conclusions.
Speaker organizes presentation. Each subtopic is introduced,
presented, summarized.
Speaker is positive about topic, even if critical (this is a good
paper to review because it illustrates method that has some
difficulties – which you point out).
Content
Information was accurate and relevant.
Content presented in logical order.
Speaker highlights important points; provides details and
examples to support main themes (omits trivial details).
Presents relevant background without wandering off topic.
Speaker speaks the names of the authors, describes their role
on the paper, and their position. The PI or PIs are identified.
Previous work alreadypublished is summarized briefly.
Speaker describes the Journal, the publisher, the impact factor
and the general mission of the journal.
Speaker makes good use of visuals.
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Outstanding
Good
Needs
work
BIONB 4240
Neuroethology
Cornell University
Making an Oral Presentation
Speaker introduces the authors of the study and describes their
connection to the work.
Speaker uses innovative analogy or example to illustrate
difficult concept or method.
Topic was introduced; speaker connects by telling reasons for
picking topic, selecting title, etc.
Makes accurate citation of all materials used (no citation means
original work).
Delivery
Speaker introduces self (first and last name).
Smiles.
Connects with audience, holds attention.
Has relaxed, confident posture.
Speaker makes good use of notes.
Voice loud enough to hear, clear, easy to understand.
Makes eye contact with audience, avoids talking to computer or
board/screen.
Explains figures carefully; breaks figure down into smaller
pieces.
Uses a good pace; finishes on time.
Speaker explains points using his/her own words.
Summary and wrap up
Summary slide used to remind audience of the take home
message.
Speaker provides power point handouts for posting.
Questions and Answers
Speaker listens to question, repeats it to make sure all have
heard.
Speaker is prepared for questions.
Strong Points of Presentation
Weak Points
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