TIPS FOR GIVING AN EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION
MAIN POINTS:
Remember that “giving a paper” is not the sam thing as “reading a paper.”
Your argument should be clear and brief.
It takes about 2 minutes to read a double-spaced page, so a 5-6 page paper would yield a 10 minute presentation.
Print your paper in 16-point font so it will be easy for you to read; you may wish to mark pauses and points of emphasis so you can note them with your voice.
Bring additional copies of the paper in this format so you can accommodate audience members who may be visually impaired. Finally, you may want to bring a few additional copies of your paper with your name and contact information for those who may request it after your presentation.
Practice speaking slowly and clearly; vary your tone, and remember to engage with your audience.
Do not exceed your allotted time!
Prepare yourself for questions: allow for disagreement and do not be afraid to say “I don’t know,” or “That’s a point I hadn’t considered.”
In an attempt to ensure high quality presentations that can be enjoyed by all conference attendees, we offer the following suggestions:
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General Information
Know the time and location of your session. If possible, visit the room prior to your talk so you have a sense of the space.
Arrive at the assigned room as early as you can and set up quickly to allow the session to start on time.
End your session on time – exceeding time makes it harder for the next set of presenters to prepare for their session, and causes your attendees to arrive late to their next session.
When presenting, talk at a normal speaking rate, loudly enough for those in the back of the room to hear. Vary your speech patterns to avoid a monotone presentation.
Even if reading a paper, make every effort to look at your audience and engage them in your presentation.
When speaking, position your face at an angle that allows participants to read your lips. Avoid speaking while facing away from the audience, or while looking down at papers or screens.
Do not exceed your time – doing so negatively impacts the others in the session. Practice your presentation prior to the conference to ensure that you are able to cover desired material in the allotted time.
If reading a paper or other lengthy document, bring one additional copy to be borrowed by interpreters to assist in translating/signing technical terms and/or proper names.
If a translator is present in your session, work with the assisted attendee(s), translator and moderator to provide seating in a location that supports the needs of all parties.
If engaging in experiential activities make sure you have planned for the inclusion of all, regardless of physical abilities.
If your session includes discussion or questions, ensure that those speaking take turns so that attendees can focus on the contributions of one participant at a time.
Take care that sounds from your session do not negatively affect other sessions occurring in adjoining rooms.
Avoid wearing jewelry or other items that make noise unless doing so relates to the presentation.
NWSA asks that all presenters and attendees refrain from wearing perfumes and other scented products while participating in conference activities.
Permission must be granted by the NWSA Executive Director in order to burn candles, incense or any other scent or fume-producing products in the session rooms or exhibit hall. Sessions at which these products are used will be identified in the program book.
Expect that session attendees will be interested in talking to you further about your work – come prepared with business cards or other materials that can help others contact you after the conference.
If you are unable to make your presentation, either find a colleague to share your materials, or inform the moderator of your absence.
Presenting a Paper
Presenting a paper does not mean simply reading your paper. Ideas that are clearly, and perhaps cleverly, communicated in writing may not always appear so when presented aurally. Practice the presentation to ensure that your ideas can be communicated well in the conference format.
You will not be able to share everything you know about your subject in the time allotted. Your goal should be to highlight the most interesting aspects of your work, and to create enough interest in your topic to encourage the audience members to seek out your completed paper for additional information.
Make sure you have a strong opening and closing to your talk, and have identified some body material that can be eliminated should you find yourself short on time. Do not sacrifice the closing since this is the summative information about your work.
It takes about 2 minutes to read a double-spaced page, so a 7-8 page paper would yield a 15 minute presentation. Plan your time wisely, taking into consideration the number of panelists and the desire for post-presentation discussion.
Be careful with the amount of editorializing you do during your presentation – time taken for this commentary may lengthen your talk if you timed your discussion based on your written work.
Consider printing your paper in 16-point font so it will be easy for you to read; you may wish to mark pauses and points of emphasis so you can note them with your voice.
Prepare yourself for questions: allow for disagreement and do not be afraid to say “I don’t know,” or “That’s a point I hadn’t considered.” Use of Visual Aids and Handouts
If providing handouts of any kind, prepare some large print copies and/or make it possible for attendees to obtain an electronic version that allows for type size adjustments or use of text readers (creating audio from written text).
Audio-visual equipment will be assigned to rooms and sessions based on requests submitted via the Call for Proposals. Although there will be technicians on hand to ensure that the requested audio-visual equipment is available and working properly, it is the presenter’s responsibility to know how to use the equipment they have requested.
If using computers, projectors, or other similar items, make sure to work with the moderator and other presenters to ensure that the flow of the session is planned in a manner that allows a quick transition from speaker to speaker regardless of equipment used.
If utilizing overheads or other projected visuals, select a large font and limit text to key information. Select colors that are visible in both high and low light.
If possible, turn off the projector when not in use to diminish noise from the equipment.
If utilizing video, enable closed captioning if available.
Avoid the use of flashing graphics or anything that produces a strobe-light effect.
If using overheads, projectors, or video, keep the room lighting as high as possible.
Although one hopes not to need it, create a back-up plan in case the audio-visual portion of the presentation cannot be used (i.e. disc error, faulty equipment, etc).