EFFECTIVE ORAL PRESENTATIONS

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EFFECTIVE ORAL PRESENTATIONS
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Why??

• You will have to give oral presentations after
  graduation.
• You need to practice to get better.
• This is a relatively non-threatening environment

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Mechanics

• Only two (or three for the 5 person group)
  members will present.
• Everyone must participate in at least one of the
  presentations.
• Maximum of 15 minutes (including questions) - I
  would expect them to be much shorter.
• Currently scheduled for week 5.

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Todays talk

• Introduce nine points for preparing and
  delivering an oral presentation about technical
  material
• Whole - Part - Whole organization
• Emphasize that presentation is for the audience

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1. Know Your Audience

• Know what your audience already knows
• Try to determine the mindset
• For this talk Identify your audience for us.
  For example Presenting PDS to
• design team
• upper management
• venture capitalists

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2. Put it on Paper(or in an outline form)

• The best way to organize your thoughts

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3. Draw a Picture

• Visuals are critical to a good presentation
• Should be pleasing to the eye
• Avoid excessive words
• Use handouts
• Always avoid excessive
• use of equations
• Use to support points

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Draw a Picture (continued)

• Explain the axes in all graphs
• Avoid detailed tables if at all possible - is
  there another way to present the results that is
  clearer?

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4. Show and Tell

• Use physical samples if possible - but be careful
• Technical audiences are touchy - feely oriented

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5. Dont be Afraid to Repeat Yourself

• Whole - Part - Whole
• Introduction (Tell them what youre going to tell
  them)
• Body (Tell them)
• Summary (Tell them what you told them)

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6. Practice, Practice, Practice
Practice
Practice

• The more you do it, the easier it gets
• Dont memorize,
• know material
• Timing is very
• important
• Eliminate ums
• and you knows

Practice
Practice
Practice
Practice
Practice
Practice
Practice
Practice
Practice
Practice
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7. Be Ready to Answer Questions

• Goal is to entice audience to want to understand
  and know more
• Set aside time for questions
• Watch audience for unasked questions
• Answer question to best of your ability, if you
  dont know the answer - say so and offer to find
  the answer

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8. Let Your Body Do The Talking

• Show confidence and interest (no slouching)
• Maintain eye contact
• Watch your hands
• Personal appearance (pride)
• (Formal attire is not required for this
  presentation)

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9. Dont Forget the Details

• Is the equipment there?
• How does the equipment work?

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SUMMARYWhat Weve Done Today

• Introduced and discussed nine points for
  preparation and delivery of an oral presentation
• Discussed the Whole - Part - Whole technique
• Emphasized that the presentation is for the
  audience

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Questions?
?

• Dr. Cornwell, do we need to present every single
  item in our PDS? Wont that be boring?

Dr. Cornwell, should we just dive into our PDS
or should we give some background on our product?
Dr. Cornwell, your kids are incredibly cute.
Have you considered consulting an agent?
Dr. Cornwell, what sort of problems have you
noticed with presentations in the past?