Oral Presentations: Learning and sharing Comparisons General Technical Fall 2005

Is it easy to read? Most presentations look great on a monitor. They may look different on a screen. Test your designs on screen. Ensure readability by contrasting text and background colors.

Comparisons The following slides appear in sets of three:  original design  improved design  side-by-side comparisons You decide which is more effective.

Presentation Tips Evaluate design and readability on screen. Evaluate design and readability on screen. Test equipment prior to presentation. Test equipment prior to presentation. Adjust room lighting. Adjust room lighting. Make sure all seats have view of screen. Make sure all seats have view of screen. Bring slides on acetates as backup. Bring slides on acetates as backup. Bring handouts if appropriate. Bring handouts if appropriate.

Presentation Tips Evaluate design and readability on screen. Test equipment prior to presentation. Adjust room lighting. Make sure all seats have view of screen. Bring slides on acetates as backup. Bring handouts if appropriate.

Which is easier to read?

Format text to: Emphasize main points Teach or self-test

Presentation Tips Evaluate design and readability on screen Test equipment prior to presentation Adjust room lighting Make sure all seats have view of screen Bring slides on acetates as a backup Bring handouts if appropriate

Presentation Tips Evaluate design/readability on screen Test equipment prior to presentation Adjust room lighting Make sure all seats have view of screen Bring slides on acetates as a backup Bring handouts if appropriate

Which uses emphasis?

Can you find the independent clause? Before delivering a presentation, you should test the equipment unless you enjoy surprises.

Can you find the independent clause? Before delivering a presentation, you should test the equipment unless you enjoy surprises.

Which one teaches?

Do I need all those words? Substitute bullets for sentences Insert a chart or table Insert a picture

Content Consider your audience when selecting content. The tone, language, and graphics should be appropriate to your audience. Try to limit each slide to one main idea. Also, avoid cluttering the slide with too many words. Six or seven lines of text per slide is a good rule of thumb.

Content  Must fit audience Tone Language Graphics  One main idea per slide  Limit text No more than 6-7 bulleted items 

Which is more effective?

CSUS Enrollment Enrollment at CSUS has increased in the last 3 years by about 15 percent:  Fall 2000 was 23,372  2001 was 25,004  2002 was 27,500 Note: Enrollment for 2003 was expected to increase by a similar percentage.

CSUS Enrollment

Which is more effective?

Serving the Cities: Sacramento Vallejo Tahoe City Reno Stockton Modesto East Bay

Serving the Cities: Sacramento Vallejo Tahoe City Reno Stockton Modesto East Bay

Which is more effective?

My summer vacation Last summer I spent a week at the ocean. The seashore was perfect: cool, clean, white sand, soft breezes, secluded paths, and warm water. I took many pictures to remind me of that wonderful vacation. Last summer I spent a week at the ocean. The seashore was perfect: cool, clean, white sand, soft breezes, secluded paths, and warm water. I took many pictures to remind me of that wonderful vacation.

My summer vacation

Which is more effective? My summer vacation

Term Project Oral Presentation Web Posting Written Report

Technical Communication The skills required to present complex technical information in a personal, professional, and accessible manner are invaluable in today’s information saturated society. Writing is an important method of communicating in order to accomplish tasks and move activities forward to completion.

Dates and Rules of Term Project Presentation Week 14: Nov 28 – Dec 2 Week 15: Dec 5 – Dec 9 Non-presentation students and instructor will serve as evaluators Sign-up sheets to record student attendance

Presentation Essentials Content Organization Introduction and conclusion Preparing the Presentation Team Presentations Text and Figures Delivery, Audience, Question time

Preparing the presentation Analyze your audience What are my objectives for this talk? How can I get their attention and interest right away – and keep it? What benefits are they going to get from listening to me? Time frame never speak longer than you are supposed to.

Team Presentations Analyze your audience and purpose Main points to be stressed Order, partition, and stick to assigned Sharing the presentation – flow well Practice – time limits

Listening to a presentation Take notes. Develop at least one question in your mind, and ask it at the appropriate time. One of the best ways to be a good listener is to ask questions.