How to give a good talkHow to give a good talk

Alan Lee

Xyz Consultants

October 2, 2002

ContentsContents

Golden RulesGolden Rules

OrganisationOrganisation

Slide tipsSlide tips

Technical issuesTechnical issues

3 Golden Rules (i)3 Golden Rules (i)

Keep it simple!Keep it simple!

Keep it simple!Keep it simple!

Keep it simple!Keep it simple!

(keep level of audience in mind) (keep level of audience in mind)

More Golden Rules (ii)More Golden Rules (ii) Use slides/powerpoint/pdfUse slides/powerpoint/pdf

Organise subject matterOrganise subject matter

Non-verbal is important!Non-verbal is important!

Don’t have too much/too little material Don’t have too much/too little material

Keep to timeKeep to time

Rehearse!Rehearse!

Golden Rule: use slidesGolden Rule: use slides

Chalk and talk obsoleteChalk and talk obsolete

We have technology – use itWe have technology – use it

Use data projector, but have Use data projector, but have transparencies as backuptransparencies as backup

Golden rule: OrganisationGolden rule: Organisation

Use same principles as reportUse same principles as report

– Tell them what you are going to sayTell them what you are going to say– Say it!Say it!– Tell them what you have said!Tell them what you have said!

i.e. introduction, main stuff, summary!i.e. introduction, main stuff, summary!

Golden rules: Non-verbalGolden rules: Non-verbal

Seem confident!Seem confident! Speak clearly, make sure everyone Speak clearly, make sure everyone

can hearcan hear Eye contact with audienceEye contact with audience Be aware how its goingBe aware how its going Don’t obscure screenDon’t obscure screen

Golden Rule: Too much-too littleGolden Rule: Too much-too little

Have the right amount of material for Have the right amount of material for the timethe time

Practice timing until you get more Practice timing until you get more experienceexperience

Don’t speed up to finishDon’t speed up to finish Keep to time- others are followingKeep to time- others are following

OrganisationOrganisation

Slides usually organised around Slides usually organised around bullet points (powerpoint influence!!)bullet points (powerpoint influence!!)

Be conciseBe concise Use headings, indentingUse headings, indenting Main pointMain point

– Detail on main pointDetail on main point

Slide tipsSlide tips Not too much on each slide Not too much on each slide

– (Like this one!!)(Like this one!!) Slides must be clear and no spelling errorsSlides must be clear and no spelling errors (se how obvious they are (se how obvious they are

– – you look like a dick! )you look like a dick! ) Use graphics and picturesUse graphics and pictures Not too much maths – hard for audience to Not too much maths – hard for audience to

understand instantly unless simpleunderstand instantly unless simple Use animation sparingly, but effectivelyUse animation sparingly, but effectively Have the correct number of slides for the Have the correct number of slides for the

allotted timeallotted time

Slide tipsSlide tips Not too much on each slide Not too much on each slide

– (Like this one!!)(Like this one!!) Slides must be clear and no spelling errorsSlides must be clear and no spelling errors (se how obvious they are (se how obvious they are

– – you look like a dick! )you look like a dick! ) Use graphics and picturesUse graphics and pictures Not too much maths – hard for audience to Not too much maths – hard for audience to

understand instantly unless simpleunderstand instantly unless simple Use animation sparingly, but effectivelyUse animation sparingly, but effectively Have the correct number of slides for the Have the correct number of slides for the

allotted timeallotted time

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Graphics and picturesGraphics and pictures

Too much maths??Too much maths??

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Animation from hellAnimation from hell

Here is some text!

Here is some more text!

Technical issuesTechnical issues

Choose colour, background to contrastChoose colour, background to contrast Choose font to be visible at backChoose font to be visible at back

– This is very hard to readThis is very hard to read

Include maths in a big fontInclude maths in a big font Powerpoint or pdflatexPowerpoint or pdflatex

– Powerpoint : easyPowerpoint : easy– pdf good for maths, can be included in pdf good for maths, can be included in

powerpointpowerpoint

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Math stuffMath stuff

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A pdf pageA pdf page

SummarySummary

Keep it simple, suitable for audienceKeep it simple, suitable for audience Prepare well and rehearsePrepare well and rehearse Have clear legible uncluttered slidesHave clear legible uncluttered slides Use pictures and graphsUse pictures and graphs Have a logical structureHave a logical structure Enthusiasm, confidence, eye contactEnthusiasm, confidence, eye contact Finish on timeFinish on time