Research Presentations 101

Research EssayPresentation  Begins with a topic or problem that needs to be researched (thesis)  Requires the investigation of source evidence to support a focused thesis  Involves comparing and synthesizing what you learn from source evidence with your own ideas  Is the process of presenting a topic or project to an audience.  Is intended to inform the audience and demonstrate your own understanding.  Is a way to visually and orally present your work

Research Presentation Purpose is NOT to:  Create a powerpoint  Recite facts that could be found in any encyclopedia  Present your entire essay/paper  Distract the audience with irrelevant visuals Purpose is to:  Inform  Convey a Message  Demonstrate Learning  Increase understanding  Provide relevant visuals to IMPROVE the audience’s understanding

The Golden Rule Content 1 st Presentation 2nd The content of your research essay/paper is the MOST important element. Powerpoint is just a TOOL which allows you to visually present your work.

Content 1st  Keep the focus on the content, story, and Presenter  The presentation’s purpose is to Present your findings  PowerPoint is just the tool to tell the story  Don’t make it the FOCUS  Creating the presentation should be the LAST STEP in your research process  The presentation is merely the FORMAT you are using to present your research work

The Research Process is the SAME  You should always use the SAME Research process, no matter what FORMAT the end product will take 1. Determine your Topic and Focus  Develop a clear Research question or tentative thesis to guide your research process  A clearly stated position that you will support and develop throughout the work 2. Research your topic by developing a search strategy and using reliable, relevant, academic sources  Always refer back to your Research Question/Tentative thesis to keep your search focused and relevant 3. Read critically and take good, point form notes 4. Analyze your research and revise your thesis 5. Synthesize and Organize the evidence in a relevant way  Look for ways to categorize or group main points together, according to your overall thesis and larger concepts 6. Create an outline to help you map out your points and guide your work 7. Create your final product by expanding upon your outline. Notice this is the LAST STEP in the process. 1. Write an Essay or Research Paper 2. Create a Visual Presentation 3. Prepare an oral presentation

Structure it like an Essay  Introduction:  Present your general research question or topic  Provide your Thesis statement to set the purpose and focus of the work  Brief summary of the main topics/arguments/points made in the work  Body  Present relevant main points that support and develop your thesis statement  For each main point provide:  A transition from the previous topic  A Topic statement  The evidence to support, expand or explain the point made in the topic sentence  A brief wrap up of this topic’s relation to the overall thesis  Conclusion:  Summary of the main points made in the body paragraphs  Discussion of the significance of your findings  Why was this issue/topic important when it happened?  How is this issue/topic relevant now?  Address the implications of your conclusions for this topic

Know your audience  Keep in mind  They might be tired  They can read  They are thinking “Why should I listen?”  Non-experts will tune off within 2 minutes  Experts after 5 minutes  What can you do?

What can you do?  Early motivation - at the beginning of your talk motivate your audience with an interesting Thesis  Spoil the punch line - State your results early and in simple terms  Visuals – Illustrate your idea with meaningful images and diagrams

Effective Presentation Consistent Clear Organize: Tell a Story Summarize Progressive Simple Content 1st

Organize - Tell a Story  In order to engage your audience, they must understand the STORY you are telling:  Where are we now?  Beginning  Where do we want to end up?  End  How are we going to get there?  Middle

Leave them with these thoughts  I understood what the main ideas were and why they were important  I have a better understanding of this topic  This person did a good job of clarifying this topic for me

Preparing the presentation  Prepare the slides in advance  Show them to friends  When you think you are done read them again  Check all animations with the sound on

Preparing the presentation  Practice, practice, practice  Give a practice talk to a general audience  Give a practice talk to an audience of expert  Time your presentation (allow for speed up effect caused by nervousness)  Always assume technology will fail you. Have backups.

Delivering the talk  Be enthusiastic! If you aren’t why should the audience be?  Make eye contact with the audience  Identify a few “nodders” and speak to them  Watch for questions. Be prepare to digress or brush off when irrelevant

Delivering the talk  Point at the screen not the computer  Do not read directly from the PPT or your notes  Have the “spill” for the first couple of slides memorized in case you go blank  Finish in time

Handling questions  Different types – handle accordingly  Need clarification  Suggest something helpful  Want to engage in dialog  Show that he/she is better than you  Anticipate questions (additional slides)  Don’t let them highjack the talk (postpone)

How can I get better?  Practice every chance you can  Observe others  Steal good presentation ideas  Notice all the things that turned you off  Seek comments from friends and mentors