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BIOL 408: Neurobiology: Presentation Assistance

Presentation Basics

The Big Three:

  • Know your audience
  • Know your subject
  • Know your purpose

 

When Creating Slides:

  1. Don't try and tell your audience everything you know. (Very important!  Separate out what is vital for your audience to know versus everything you know about the topic.)  
  2. Don't read your slides aloud!  
  3. Limit your content to one subject  - aka each slide should have only one point.
  4. Use a maximum of 5-7 lines per slide.
  5. Use no more than seven words per line.
  6. Use point sizes that are large enough for everyone to read. (44 for headlines & 32 for body copy)
  7. Keep your slides simple!
    • Limit graphs to simple ones that do not require a lot of explanation
    • Avoid using either ALL CAPS or italics - both are difficult to read
    • Keep your color choices simple
  8. Avoid unnecessary clutter on your slides - ditto with slide animations.  .
  9. Avoid "data dumping" - don't fill your talk with stats and numbers that nobody will ever remember.  
  10. Make sure your slides enhance your presentation - they should not replace you.
  11. End your presentation with a take-home message.

 

 - taken in part from "Am I making Myself Clear?  A scientist's guide to talking to the public." by Cornelia Dean and "Listen.  Write.  Present." by Stephanie Roberson Barnard & Deborah St. James.

 

Books To Help!

We have a ton of books about how to give effective scientific presentations - fantastic resources to help you out for this particular assignment!   The books are all on Reserve at the Library Service Desk in the Academic Commons.  Be sure to bring your Gull Card or your phone (if you have downloaded our SU LIbraries app) if you want to check any of them out!