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Presentation SkillsPresentation SkillsBridget Fraser

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"There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars. "

- Mark Twain

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OverviewOverview

Planning a presentation Preparing for delivery Psychology

Lecture room Projection Delivery

The PowerPoint deck• Structure• Text• Graphics• Tables, Figures, Charts• The 7 Deadly Sins

Planning a presentation Preparing for delivery Psychology

Lecture room Projection Delivery

The PowerPoint deck• Structure• Text• Graphics• Tables, Figures, Charts• The 7 Deadly Sins

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Purpose• What is the purpose?

• Who is your target audience?

• What are the important take-home messages?

• Do you know what you’re talking about?

Style

• Talk, chalk’n talk, overheads, PowerPoint deck?

• How much time are you allotted?

Purpose• What is the purpose?

• Who is your target audience?

• What are the important take-home messages?

• Do you know what you’re talking about?

Style

• Talk, chalk’n talk, overheads, PowerPoint deck?

• How much time are you allotted?

Planning a presentationPlanning a presentation

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Will they understand what you’re saying?

• culture, age, gender, politics, education

• type of information they can understand

• background information

• words / visuals they can understand

- technical jargon, acronyms- formulas, graphs, charts

Will they understand what you’re saying?

• culture, age, gender, politics, education

• type of information they can understand

• background information

• words / visuals they can understand

- technical jargon, acronyms- formulas, graphs, charts

Know your audienceKnow your audience

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How much time are you allotted?

10-15% for intro and conclusion

1 idea per slide

# slides < # minutes

How many take home messages? > 3-4 min. per

objective

Question period?

How much time are you allotted?

10-15% for intro and conclusion

1 idea per slide

# slides < # minutes

How many take home messages? > 3-4 min. per

objective

Question period?

TimingTiming

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“Preparation is the greatest substitute for talent.”

Practice, practice, practice

Feedback from practice audiences

Tape recorder, videotape, mirror

Time yourself

“Preparation is the greatest substitute for talent.”

Practice, practice, practice

Feedback from practice audiences

Tape recorder, videotape, mirror

Time yourself

Preparing for deliveryPreparing for delivery

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• You are the subject matter expert. Don’t fear your audience. Be confident!

•Look in control … even if you’re not

• Don’t start with an apology

• If you notice a mistake on your slide …don’t mention it

• Have fun / Have a sense of humor / Roll with the punches

• People spend most of their time worrying about things that will never happen

PsychologyPsychology

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Know your room• switches• A/V console• internet• props (laser, pointer, chalk, markers, water)

Lighting• too bright -> image washout• too dark -> ZZZ

Audio• room acoustics• microphone?

Know your room• switches• A/V console• internet• props (laser, pointer, chalk, markers, water)

Lighting• too bright -> image washout• too dark -> ZZZ

Audio• room acoustics• microphone?

Lecture roomLecture room

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Image size, focus

Resolution• 800x600 (SVGA)• 1024x768 (XGA)• 1280x1024 (SXGA)

Keystoning

Image size, focus

Resolution• 800x600 (SVGA)• 1024x768 (XGA)• 1280x1024 (SXGA)

Keystoning

Data ProjectorsData Projectors

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Projector connection VGA: DVI:

Laptop video out Ctrl-Alt-Shift-F5 + stand on left foot + rub belly

Resolution match projector

Display modepresenter notes

Battery / power cord

Sleep mode / Power Save

Mac vs. PC compatibility

Projector connection VGA: DVI:

Laptop video out Ctrl-Alt-Shift-F5 + stand on left foot + rub belly

Resolution match projector

Display modepresenter notes

Battery / power cord

Sleep mode / Power Save

Mac vs. PC compatibility

LaptopLaptop

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Ethanol as an alternative fuelEthanol as an alternative fuel

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Pointer• reach?• shadow• motion, floor-tapping

Laser pointer• eye tracking• aim, move slowly, avoid doodling• red (650 nm) vs green (532 nm, 60 x brighter)• BYO, BYOBatteries

Presentation remote•built-in mouse / laser pointer

Pointer• reach?• shadow• motion, floor-tapping

Laser pointer• eye tracking• aim, move slowly, avoid doodling• red (650 nm) vs green (532 nm, 60 x brighter)• BYO, BYOBatteries

Presentation remote•built-in mouse / laser pointer

PropsProps

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Effectiveness of communication

Effectiveness of communication

Impact

Visuallooks, dress, eye contact, posture, gesture, facial

expression55%

Vocalexpression, voice, tempo,

intonation, inflection, fillers, confidence

38%

Verbal words, what you really want to get across 7%

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Eye contact • them, not the screen, not your feet• work the room• don’t stare

Voice• Projection• Orientation• Pitch• Speed• Fillers

umm, ahh, OK, so, YKWIM, YKWIS

Eye contact • them, not the screen, not your feet• work the room• don’t stare

Voice• Projection• Orientation• Pitch• Speed• Fillers

umm, ahh, OK, so, YKWIM, YKWIS

DeliveryDelivery

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Body position• posture• lectern / podium• don’t block the screen

Reading• Not a tele-prompter …• Quotes OK• Reading cards, presenter notes• Speak to the audience, don’t read to yourself

Body position• posture• lectern / podium• don’t block the screen

Reading• Not a tele-prompter …• Quotes OK• Reading cards, presenter notes• Speak to the audience, don’t read to yourself

DeliveryDelivery

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Body• Position

• Rocking, pacing

• Hand movement

Body• Position

• Rocking, pacing

• Hand movement

DeliveryDelivery

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• brisk, erect walk confidence

• standing, hands on hips readiness

• sitting, legs crossed boredom

• crossed arms defensiveness

• walking with hands in pockets dejection

• hand to cheek evaluation, thinking

• touching, rubbing nose rejection, doubt, lying

• rubbing eyes doubt, disbelief

• hands clasped behind back anger, frustration, apprehension

• locked ankles apprehension

• head resting in hand, eyes downcast boredom

• rubbing hands anticipation

• sitting with hands clasped behind head confidence, superiority

• open palm sincerity, openness, innocence

• pinching bridge of nose, eyes closed negative evaluation

• tapping/drumming fingers impatience

• patting, fondling hair lack of self-confidence, insecurity

• tilted head interest

• stroking chin trying to make a decision

• looking down, face turned away disbelief

• biting nails insecurity, nervousness

• pulling or tugging at ear indecision

• brisk, erect walk confidence

• standing, hands on hips readiness

• sitting, legs crossed boredom

• crossed arms defensiveness

• walking with hands in pockets dejection

• hand to cheek evaluation, thinking

• touching, rubbing nose rejection, doubt, lying

• rubbing eyes doubt, disbelief

• hands clasped behind back anger, frustration, apprehension

• locked ankles apprehension

• head resting in hand, eyes downcast boredom

• rubbing hands anticipation

• sitting with hands clasped behind head confidence, superiority

• open palm sincerity, openness, innocence

• pinching bridge of nose, eyes closed negative evaluation

• tapping/drumming fingers impatience

• patting, fondling hair lack of self-confidence, insecurity

• tilted head interest

• stroking chin trying to make a decision

• looking down, face turned away disbelief

• biting nails insecurity, nervousness

• pulling or tugging at ear indecision

Body LanguageBody Language

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Respect your audience

Don’t be arrogant

Be open to their views

Be sensitive to confrontation and controversy

Thank your audience

Respect your audience

Don’t be arrogant

Be open to their views

Be sensitive to confrontation and controversy

Thank your audience

P’s & Q’sP’s & Q’s

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Listen carefully to the whole question

Answer to entire audience

• repeat the question to the audience?

Don’t fake an answer

Be prepared for questions

• extra slides?

Listen carefully to the whole question

Answer to entire audience

• repeat the question to the audience?

Don’t fake an answer

Be prepared for questions

• extra slides?

QuestionsQuestions

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The PowerPoint deckThe PowerPoint deck

http://entrepreneur.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/sleeping_man_1.jpg

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Title• your name, affiliation

Outline• informative!

Introduction• set the stage• tell them what you’re going to tell them

Body• main topic• use sub-headings to organize content

Conclusions / Summary• reiterate or emphasize take home messages• tell them what you’ve told them

References / Acknowledgements

Title• your name, affiliation

Outline• informative!

Introduction• set the stage• tell them what you’re going to tell them

Body• main topic• use sub-headings to organize content

Conclusions / Summary• reiterate or emphasize take home messages• tell them what you’ve told them

References / Acknowledgements

StructureStructure

numbered sides

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Bullet lists: who are they really for?• organize ideas• high-tech cue cards• put a space after the bullet, use simple graphics

Information density• dramatic reduction of information density compared to traditional media• “Rule of Sevens”: < 7 words per line

< 7 lines per page

KISS

Bullet lists: who are they really for?• organize ideas• high-tech cue cards• put a space after the bullet, use simple graphics

Information density• dramatic reduction of information density compared to traditional media• “Rule of Sevens”: < 7 words per line

< 7 lines per page

KISS

PowerPoint stylePowerPoint style

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Font serif Times, Times New Roman, Palatino vs sans serif Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, Tahoma, Verdana

Size

12 point 18 point 24 point 36 point

Color / Contrast black white red green yellow

Font serif Times, Times New Roman, Palatino vs sans serif Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, Tahoma, Verdana

Size

12 point 18 point 24 point 36 point

Color / Contrast black white red green yellow

TextText

Koffka ring

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TextText

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Case• Sentence case vs Title Case vs ALL CAPS • be consistent

Highlight Bold Italics Underline Color

Orphans The answer to life, the universe and everything is 42.

Case• Sentence case vs Title Case vs ALL CAPS • be consistent

Highlight Bold Italics Underline Color

Orphans The answer to life, the universe and everything is 42.

TextText

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Spelling … don’t rely on your spell checker, but it’s a good

first stop

Spelling … don’t rely on your spell checker, but it’s a good

first stop

TextText

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“A pictures says a thousand words ... but not without you!”

Complex diagrams need to be introduced in sections or simplified …

“Seeing isn’t perceiving,Perceiving isn’t understanding, Showing isn’t explaining.”

Barbara Tversky, Stanford U.

“A pictures says a thousand words ... but not without you!”

Complex diagrams need to be introduced in sections or simplified …

“Seeing isn’t perceiving,Perceiving isn’t understanding, Showing isn’t explaining.”

Barbara Tversky, Stanford U.

GraphicsGraphics

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“A pictures says a thousand words ... but not without you!”

… but well-designed graphics can speak for themselves

“Visual models help make important ideas clear by making messages visible.”

Don Moyer, ThoughtForm

“A pictures says a thousand words ... but not without you!”

… but well-designed graphics can speak for themselves

“Visual models help make important ideas clear by making messages visible.”

Don Moyer, ThoughtForm

GraphicsGraphics

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… must have something to say … must have something to say

GraphicsGraphics

"This may well be the worst graphic ever to find its way into print.”

Tufte, 1983

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GraphicsGraphicsWorst powerpoint slide ever used by a CEO?

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/17/worstpptever.jpg

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… visual density … visual density

GraphicsGraphics

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Well designed, simple, and readable by all

Don’t resize bitmaps

Minimum # of words in captions

Background image should not affect readability...

Well designed, simple, and readable by all

Don’t resize bitmaps

Minimum # of words in captions

Background image should not affect readability...

GraphicsGraphics

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GraphicsGraphics

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GraphicsGraphics

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Outperform graphics if dataset of < 20 numbers

Don’t copy/paste and resize large tables

Can your audience read the entire table? Do they need to?

Reproduce relevant table subsets

Outperform graphics if dataset of < 20 numbers

Don’t copy/paste and resize large tables

Can your audience read the entire table? Do they need to?

Reproduce relevant table subsets

TablesTables

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Label your figures (x-axis, y-axis, units, legend)• highlight data• keep the figure simple and uncluttered

Make the figures visible with high contrast• multiple data sets: different colours or line types• use thick lines and large markers

Label your figures (x-axis, y-axis, units, legend)• highlight data• keep the figure simple and uncluttered

Make the figures visible with high contrast• multiple data sets: different colours or line types• use thick lines and large markers

Figures & ChartsFigures & Charts

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1- Slide Transitions, Animations, Sound Effects

2. Standard Clipart

3. Presentation Templates

4. Text-Heavy Slides

5. The “Me” Paradigm

6. Reading

7. Faith in Technology

1- Slide Transitions, Animations, Sound Effects

2. Standard Clipart

3. Presentation Templates

4. Text-Heavy Slides

5. The “Me” Paradigm

6. Reading

7. Faith in Technology

The Seven Deadly SinsThe Seven Deadly Sins

http://entrepreneurs.about.com/cs/marketing/a/7sinsofppt.htm

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CompatibilityCompatibility

Version / platform compatibility issues•

Standard fonts • Embedded figures, movies• Transitions / animations / linked media• Always check on other PC/Mac beforehand• .ppt vs .pptx

Murphy’s law•

backup on CD / flash drive• multiple export formats: .ppt .pptx .mov• color transparencies?

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“The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint”, Edward R. Tufte, Graphics Press LLC, 2003.

“The Visual Display of Quantitative Information”, 2nd Ed., Edward R. Tufte, Graphics Press LLC, 2001.

“The Best and Worst of Statistical Graphics”: http://www.math.yorku.ca/SCS/Gallery/

“Presenting At Your Best”, A. Chan: http://www.ee.unb.ca/Groups/AEEGS/presentation.html

“The Seven Deadly Sins of Powerpoint Presentations”: http://entrepreneurs.about.com/cs/marketing/a/7sinsofppt.htm

“The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint”, Edward R. Tufte, Graphics Press LLC, 2003.

“The Visual Display of Quantitative Information”, 2nd Ed., Edward R. Tufte, Graphics Press LLC, 2001.

“The Best and Worst of Statistical Graphics”: http://www.math.yorku.ca/SCS/Gallery/

“Presenting At Your Best”, A. Chan: http://www.ee.unb.ca/Groups/AEEGS/presentation.html

“The Seven Deadly Sins of Powerpoint Presentations”: http://entrepreneurs.about.com/cs/marketing/a/7sinsofppt.htm

BibliographyBibliography

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Questions?Questions?

Losses suffered by Napoleon's army in the Russian campaign of 1812 Charles Joseph Minard (1845-1869)

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Image size, focus

Transparencies / Markers

Beam Obstruction

Projection wash-out

Pace yourself

Image size, focus

Transparencies / Markers

Beam Obstruction

Projection wash-out

Pace yourself

Overhead ProjectorsOverhead Projectors