Transcript Slide 1

Strategies for Effective Research
Presentations
Derek R. Lane, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication
College of Communications and Information Studies
University of Kentucky
Communication
The process by which verbal and nonverbal
messages are used to create and share
meaning
The management of messages for the purpose
of creating meaning in a specific context
Communication
 Dimensions
 Written, Oral, Graphical
 Interpersonal, Group/Team, Public Speaking
 Chemical, Mathematical, Scientific
 Beyond grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
pronunciation
 Critical thinking
 Audience analysis
 Organization
 Delivery
Overview
The Structure of Research
Review basic presentation strategies
Strategies for…
 Getting Started
 Effective Delivery
 Effective Content
Wrap up
The Truth is, You Gave a Lousy Talk
Communication
Clarity
Focus
 Technology
 Substance
Presentation
The Structure of Research
 A. TITLE
 B. ABSTRACT
 C. INTRODUCTION (with Rationale)
 D. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
 (with Research Questions and/or Hypothesis at the conclusion
of lit review)
 E. METHODS
 (subjects, procedures, data treatment)
 F. RESULTS
 G. DISCUSSION
 Implications
 Limitations
 Future Directions
 H. REFERENCES
Presentation Strategies
 Select a clear purpose and strong thesis statement
 Select evidence to support your claims
 Prepare effective and organized outline for
sequencing content
 Prepare preview and summary to guide your
audience
 Design effective introduction
 Design effective conclusion
 Polish conversational delivery
Getting Started: Before You’re On
Preparation
Practice, practice, practice – but don’t
memorize
“Know” what you’re going to say
Prep note cards wisely – not too many;
key words only
Dress to help, not hinder
Getting Started: You’re On!
 Arrival
 Arrive early
 Get set – take control of the room
 Be certain you know how to use any technology
(e.g., Powerpoint, laser pointer)
 Have backup
 Beginning
 Step up to speak with confidence and authority
 Have your first sentence ready
 Breathe!
Effective Delivery: Connection
Be aware of your audience
Make eye contact
Don’t talk to the laptop, whiteboard, screen,
or your notes
Refer to your note cards only occasionally,
if at all
Be conversational (extemporaneous) –
don’t read to the audience
Effective Delivery: Movement
Use gestures (locating, descriptive, etc.)
Maintain good posture – don’t lean against
the podium, cross legs, etc.
Move out from behind the podium – but don’t
wander aimlessly
Don’t play with note cards, pencil, clothes,
pointer, etc.
Keep your hands out of your pockets
Effective Delivery: Voice
Avoid clutter (e.g., ah, um, uh, so, ya know,
well, okay)
Speak loudly enough to be heard
Speak at an appropriate pace
Stop at the end of an idea – don’t string
sentences together with “and …”
Speak with confidence
Effective Content: Organization
 Start strong
 Plan an attention getter
 Don’t start with “Okay…”
 Build credibility
 Have a clear purpose/thesis statement
 Use transitions between main points
 Emphasize most important points
 Internal previews and summaries
 Repetition
 End strong
 Summarize
 Leave a lasting positive impression
Effective Content: Language Use
 Speak clearly
 Precise words (e.g., walk, amble, sprint)
 Simple words (e.g., predict versus presage)
 Specific words (e.g., selenium versus element)
 Speak vividly
 Use simile/metaphor (avoid cliché, though)
 Use sound patterns
 Parallelism
 Alliteration
Effective Content: Audience Adaptation
Use language to connect with the audience
 Use personal pronouns
 Ask the audience questions
 Share common experiences
 Build hypothetical situations
 Relate examples to what is familiar
 Avoid inappropriate language
Effective Content: Visual Aids
 Can be nearly anything – even you!
 Must be visible
 Show aid only while you’re talking about it
 Point out what you want the audience to
know about it
 Talk to your audience, not the visual aid
 Don’t overdo use of visual aids
 Pass objects around at your own risk
Effective Content: Keep in Mind
 Add value – don’t simply regurgitate the
contents of a brochure everyone has
already read
 Be creative in your presentations
 Integrate your personality appropriately into
the presentation to stimulate interest
 Use narrative examples for retention
 Involve the audience
Effective Use of PowerPoint
 www.baruch.cuny.edu/dml/engine.php?acti
on=viewAsset&mediaIndex=432
Wrap up
 Communication and Research Presentations
 Review of broad presentation strategies
 Presentations and feedback
 Strategies for…
 Getting Started
 Effective Content
 Effective Delivery
 Questions…