Thesis Presentations MSCS 491

Introduction To show you how to effectively convey the useful information in your thesis without boring audience with details or monotony To illustrate how talks should be organized and planned To provide recommendation on how to effectively present

Outline What to cover Organization Introduction and Conclusion Preparation Presentation Conclusions Questions?

Difference from Paper Cannot cover all detail from paper Content depends on Time available Expertise of audience Point to get across Need to leave lasting impression Motivate them to read more on topic

What to Cover? Single main goal Focus on What should audience learn Focus on What audience needs to know to understand results Clear description of results Impact of results Avoid algorithms, proofs, technical details, or other complex material, unless it is the focus of the work

Outline What to cover Organization Introduction and Conclusion Preparation Presentation Conclusions Questions?

Organization Linear organization Lead audience through Subject of talk Necessary background Experiments Results Conclusions Implications of results Lead audience through I covered this, now moving on to that

Outline What to cover Organization Introduction and Conclusion Preparation Presentation Conclusions Questions?

The Introduction Introduce yourself and your topic Introduce goal of talk before outlining structure of talk Let audience know what you intend for them to learn Then overview structure of talk Refer back to structure throughout Introduction Organization Intro / Concl Preparation Presentation Conclusions Questions?

The Conclusion End the talk cleanly, do not just fade away or abruptly stop Summarize the main points Make a statement about impact Signal the end of the talk Ask for questions

Outline What to cover Organization Introduction and Conclusion Preparation Presentation Conclusions Questions?

The Preparation Write out notes? Printout of slides? Rehearse the talk, do not memorize Practice with the equipment in the environment if possible Practice writing the notes on the board if planning to use it

Slides Provide structure and content Point form representing brief summaries Never read from them Minimal text and minimize clutter Full page at once better when possible

Figures and Graphs Good figures and graphs make ideas easier to understand Simple, clear, uncluttered, labeled Show the point with a glance Use incremental if lots of detail

Bad Table Results Task Size CPU Memory Compress 4.2 2:37 25.6 Invert 6.4 3:02 18.7 Overhead 0.0 0:19 2.5 Total 10.6 5:58 46.8

Better

Outline What to cover Organization Introduction and Conclusion Preparation Presentation Conclusions Questions?

Presentation Be yourself Do not read Address your audience and look at them Make sure they are following If unsure, ask if any questions or problems

Handling Questions Respond positively and honestly to all questions Do not try to bluff the answer Say you have not considered it Never be rude or dismissive

Outline What to cover Organization Introduction and Conclusion Preparation Presentation Conclusions Questions?

Conclusion Try to make a point for audience to remember Keep it simple Motivate audience to want to know more Be yourself

Questions?