1. Preparing Powerpoint Presentations for Conferences: Tips for Students
Ellie Kazemi, Ph.D.
California State University, Northridge
Presented 5/9/2017

2. General Content Tips
Cardinal rule - Effective and efficient communication
Determine content before selecting design and animation
Your vocal verbal behavior should include the displayed to minimize distractions
Display a few words and stick to one straight forward sentence (max 2) for each bullet

3. Develop an Outline Map out your take home points For empirical talks
This will help you stick to the objective of your talk
For empirical talks
Take each line from your abstract (intro, method, results, and implications), paste into slides, and expand on each slide
Make sure there is a logical flow between your slides

4. Slide Titles Use a new title on each slide Use familiar headings
Introduction
Method
Participants & Setting
Response Measurement & Reliability
Procedure
Baseline
Intervention
Generalization probe
Results
Implications (instead of Discussion)
References

5. General Visual Presentation Tips
Keep all slides consistent
Background
Keep simple and select color that provides high contrast to text
Number your slides
Titles (appear in same exact location across slides)
Text (size, style, line spacing, shadowing)
Type citations in smaller text (e.g., 24 pt)
Avoid fancy fonts and keep same font throughout
Use larger font, underline, or color to emphasize
Bullets
Keep bullets simple, 50-60% of size of text, and consistent

6. Transitions Ideal rate is 1-2 minutes per slide
Organize your outline into slides
Your presentation should be 15 minutes total
State a few words between slides to transition to new slide
If your slide titles are same size and in same place, transition between slides crisp

7. Highlighting and Emphasizing
On tables or graphs, highlight or outline to make it easier for your audience to follow
Action in the highlighting shapes
Example below

8. Pictures and Graphs Place borders around pictures, tables, and graphs
Example below

9. Displaying Results Occurrence of Elopement from class and Yard
DRO + Token Economy BL
M=PM 79 %
M=PM 86 %
PM > 93 %
Class
Yard

10. Adhere to APA Guidelines
In text citations
(Shapiro & Kazemi, 2017)
(Fahmie et al., 2016)
Reference in sentence
Shapiro and Kazemi (2017) reviewed training strategies

11. General Vocal Presentation
Avoid writing complete sentences because you’ll become dependent on them
Copy and paste your notes into a MS Word file
Edit your written work and keep your VB simple
Use words you know and can pronounce with ease
Limit yourself to one sentence for each bullet on slide
Practice presenting
Practice varying your words and looking relaxed
Practice by standing up
Keep your hands steady and use them for emphasis only
Use presentation mode to get use to transitioning and auctioning items
Practice your pace, speak loud, and enunciate clearly

12. Presenting your Results
Orient audience to X-axis and Y-axis
Explain what is on the plane (your legend)
Begin by explaining the data paths in baseline
Point to main findings and summarize what matters