P RESENTATION S KILLS and EXPECTATIONS Whitney Wiltshire, Ph.D. University of Mississippi Medical Center Emergency Medicine Resident Lecture July 15, 2008 Adapted from McDougal University

Learner Objectives At the conclusion of this presentation, participants: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants: will be able to describe strategies for effective presentations will be able to describe strategies for effective presentations will be able to identify departmental presentation expectations will be able to identify departmental presentation expectations

Know your presentation style!

Verbal Presentation Style Speak to the audience Speak to the audience Slow down Slow down Speak up Speak up Don’t read your slides (use as cues) Don’t read your slides (use as cues) Vary voice tone (conversational) Vary voice tone (conversational) Genuine enthusiasm Genuine enthusiasm

Non-Verbal Presentation Style Appearance Appearance Dress appropriately for public speaking Dress appropriately for public speaking Tie/jacket or dress is encouraged Tie/jacket or dress is encouraged Body Language Body Language Use a comfortable, confident style of presentation Use a comfortable, confident style of presentation Do not speak to the screen/monitor/ceiling Do not speak to the screen/monitor/ceiling Do not overuse the laser pointer Do not overuse the laser pointer Face the audience Face the audience Stand Straight Stand Straight Eye Contact Eye Contact

Common Problems Verbal fillers Verbal fillers Um”, “hmmm”, “ah, “uh”, “like” Um”, “hmmm”, “ah, “uh”, “like” Any unrelated word or phrase Any unrelated word or phrase Swaying, rocking, and pacing Swaying, rocking, and pacing Hands in pockets Hands in pockets Fidgeting Fidgeting Failure to be audience-centered Failure to be audience-centered

Know your audience In your field - can jump in with brief background; non-experts - need more set-up In your field - can jump in with brief background; non-experts - need more set-up Purpose of your talk (Convince? Update? Teach?) Purpose of your talk (Convince? Update? Teach?) Convey enthusiasm about your work Convey enthusiasm about your work Don’t talk over their heads; don’t talk down to them Don’t talk over their heads; don’t talk down to them

Presentation Clarity Style & format Style & format use color to highlight & organize use color to highlight & organize be consistent (audience knows where to look) be consistent (audience knows where to look) Read through presentation and see if main points stand-out Read through presentation and see if main points stand-out Heading = WHAT or HOW Heading = WHAT or HOW Summary statement = CONCLUSION Summary statement = CONCLUSION

5 easy presentation tips Smile Smile Breathe Breathe Water Water Notes Notes Finish On Or Under Time Finish On Or Under Time

Keep it simple and clear If you understand it - you should be able to explain it in simple terms. If you understand it - you should be able to explain it in simple terms. It is not enough to know it - you have to explain it clearly. It is not enough to know it - you have to explain it clearly. More information  more learning More information  more learning

Managing Fear Be prepared Be prepared know your presentation know your presentation Rehearse (but don’t over rehearse!) Rehearse (but don’t over rehearse!) Talk with audience beforehand Talk with audience beforehand Provide Handouts Provide Handouts Turn your nervousness into energy Turn your nervousness into energy Ask questions Ask questions

Planning Who are you talking to? Who are you talking to? Why are you talking to them? Why are you talking to them? How long do you have to talk? How long do you have to talk? What main points do you want to convey? What main points do you want to convey?

Preparation Outline and sketch slides Outline and sketch slides Prepare slides Prepare slides Proof read Proof read Prepare notes Prepare notes brief keywords and phrases, except maybe first few paragraphs brief keywords and phrases, except maybe first few paragraphs

Like most things, the best way to learn is to do

Preparation - Outline EM Department Grand Rounds Standards / Expectations Introduction (1 slide) Introduction (1 slide) Learning Objectives (1-2 slides) Learning Objectives (1-2 slides) Background/Clinical Importance (5-10 slides) Background/Clinical Importance (5-10 slides) Pathophysiology (10-15 slides) Pathophysiology (10-15 slides) Differential diagnosis (2-3 slides) Differential diagnosis (2-3 slides) Treatment options (5-10 slides) Treatment options (5-10 slides) Evidence based medicine summary (5-10 slides) Evidence based medicine summary (5-10 slides) References – 5 non-textbook references (1 slide) References – 5 non-textbook references (1 slide)

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Use Images & Graphics

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds 24 pt is minimum, 32 pt, or even 36 pt is better

If it can’t be read – it’s a waste & it annoys the audience

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mix upper and lower case

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mix upper and lower case Use color to highlight text Use high contrast colors for important lines, symbols or text, and lower contrast colors for less important lines, symbols or text. But use a limited number of colors

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mixture upper and lower case Use color to highlight text Keep figures simple

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mixture upper and lower case Use color to highlight text Keep figures simple Thick lines and large symbols

Show means, sd, effect size statistics, but not test statistics

Performance Don’t Apologize Don’t Apologize Speak loudly & clearly Speak loudly & clearly Use short simple sentences Use short simple sentences Avoid unfamiliar jargon & abbreviations Avoid unfamiliar jargon & abbreviations Vary pitch, tone, volume, speed and pauses Vary pitch, tone, volume, speed and pauses

Performance Avoid distracting mannerisms Avoid distracting mannerisms Relax, be enthusiastic Relax, be enthusiastic Make eye contact Make eye contact Be aware of the time remaining Be aware of the time remaining

Performance Explain figures, and point to important aspects Visual Aids should: Visual Aids should: Supplement presentation Supplement presentation Outline main points Outline main points Serve audience’s needs, not speaker’s Serve audience’s needs, not speaker’s Simple and clear Simple and clear Vs.

Questions Paraphrase questions 1. so that other people hear the question

Questions Paraphrase questions from the audience 1. so that others hear the questions 2. to make sure you understand the questions

Questions Paraphrase questions from the audience 1. so that others hear the questions 2. to make sure you understand the questions 3. to stall while you think about an answer

Questions If you don’t know the answer, say so. Offer to find out. Ask the audience.

Extra preparation hints Ask ahead of time what equipment provided: - overhead projector vs. Powerpoint - overhead projector vs. Powerpoint What format used: - PC vs. Mac? - PC vs. Mac? CD / Memory Stick (flash drive) / Zip? Emergency back-ups: - overheads - overheads - handouts - handouts

Learner Objectives Name two strategies for an effective presentation Name two strategies for an effective presentation Name two departmental presentation expectations Name two departmental presentation expectations

Questions?