Presentation on Presentations Dr. Dave Shattuck Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Houston

Presentations  Transfer of ideas or information  Like a Communications Theory problem  Goal is: communicate the most important information, as much information as possible, within the constraints of the presentation.

Three Basic Principles  We learn easily, if information is presented in context.  Only a small amount of information can be absorbed in a short time.  The audience will not learn if they don’t pay attention to you.

Three Basic Principles  We learn easily, if information is presented in context.  Only a small amount of information can be absorbed in a short time.  The audience will not learn if they don’t pay attention to you.

Test this concept: Memorize the numbers in the next slide.

Memorize these numbers:

Testing this concept: How many numbers did you memorize?

Look at these numbers: Context is clear here I need to provide context here

Established Format for Presentations  Introduction, provide context and motivation.  Content, body of talk, provides information.  Summary, provide context and motivation again.

Three Basic Principles  We learn easily, if information is presented in context.  Only a small amount of information can be absorbed in a short time.  The audience will not learn if they don’t pay attention to you.

Lots of Information

Lots More Information

Lots Less Information

Even Less Information

Information Paradox By presenting less information, more information is communicated to the listener. This does not seem to make sense, but it is true.

Information Paradox Analogy By attempting to eat less apple, more apple can be eaten. Let’s test this.

Each Slide Should Contain Only  1 clear idea or concept -or-  2 or 3 related ideas or concepts

Technical Talk Dilemma: How can I present a complex derivation using only simple slides?

Solution to the Dilemma: How can I present a complex derivation using only simple slides? You can’t. Don’t try.

Technical Talk Limits: A complex derivation can’t be understood by the viewer in a short talk. You need to either: Present a simplified version of the derivation, -or- Give this information through another channel.

Three Basic Principles  We learn easily, if information is presented in context.  Only a small amount of information can be absorbed in a short time.  The audience will not learn if they don’t pay attention to you.

Limited Attention Span Look around you during the next talk you attend: Are people listening? Are people watching? Are people even awake? Your audience has a limited attention span.

Add Attention Getters  Color  Variety  Unusual or Humorous Items  Demonstrations Each of these must be appropriate to the setting of your talk.

Color  Color tends to draw attention  Color is now relatively inexpensive to use, with color projectors and color printers.  Don’t use color in ways that distract from your point.

Variety Variety is a challenge.  It can be distracting, if your approach is too different.  Without some changes, talks become monotonous, and sleep provoking.

Variety Occasionally during your talk, try the following tricks:  Change your voice.  Change your pace.  Change your position.  Change the format of the slides that you are using.

Humor Humor is good if it is:  Appropriate (offends no one)  Not distracting (relates to your point)  Actually funny (this is hard to judge) Treat humor like a powerful tool. When in doubt, don’t use it.

Demonstrations Galileo really knew how to do an effective demonstration.

Be Careful Some slides can draw the attention of the listeners to the slides and not to you.

Avoid Attention Losers Attention is usually lost in a talk when the listener is not getting information.  Don’t speak too softly.  Don’t speak too fast. everything  Make sure everything in your slides can be read by everyone, easily.

Choose Appropriate Fonts

Choose Your Fonts  Use large fonts (18 point or larger)  Use “sans-serif” fonts (no curlicues )  Make sure that your viewer can read everything, including axis labels, figure captions, and figure labels EASILY. (All capital letters sometimes helps.)

Three Basic Principles  We learn easily, if information is presented in context.  Only a small amount of information can be absorbed in a short time.  The audience will not learn if they don’t pay attention to you.

Well Done Plots Are Very Useful Use them very well.

Let’s try an Overhead Talk  Pretend that I have been given 15 minutes to talk about giving presentations.  Pretend that I have only an overhead projector.

My Presentation Plans  Most people put about 3x more information on an overhead slide than on a screen slide, so I will use about 15  3=5 slides.  I will prepare a set of handouts for all my listeners with the information I want them to take home.

Let’s Try the Talk Go to the overhead now. I will give the sample presentation, showing some hints on the use of overhead projectors.

Summary on Presentations  Presentations are like a Communications Theory problem  Communicate as much of the most important information as possible, within your constraints  Provide context, limit the content, and keep their attention on you