EFFECTIVE ORAL EFFECTIVE ORAL PRESENTATIONSPRESENTATIONS

Why??Why??

You will have to give oral presentations You will have to give oral presentations after graduation.after graduation.

You need to practice to get better.You need to practice to get better.– This is a relatively non-threatening This is a relatively non-threatening

environmentenvironment

MechanicsMechanics

Only two (or three for the 5 person group) Only two (or three for the 5 person group) members will present.members will present.

Everyone must participate in at least one of Everyone must participate in at least one of the presentations.the presentations.

Maximum of 15 minutes (including Maximum of 15 minutes (including questions) - I would expect them to be questions) - I would expect them to be much shorter.much shorter.

Currently scheduled for week 5.Currently scheduled for week 5.

Today’s talkToday’s talk

Introduce nine points for preparing and Introduce nine points for preparing and delivering an oral presentation about delivering an oral presentation about technical materialtechnical material

Whole - Part - Whole organizationWhole - Part - Whole organization Emphasize that presentation is for the Emphasize that presentation is for the

audienceaudience

1. Know Your Audience1. Know Your Audience

Know what your audience already knowsKnow what your audience already knows Try to determine the mindsetTry to determine the mindset For this talk: Identify your audience for us. For this talk: Identify your audience for us.

For example: Presenting PDS to:For example: Presenting PDS to:– design teamdesign team– upper managementupper management– venture capitalistsventure capitalists

2. Put it on Paper2. Put it on Paper(or in an outline form)(or in an outline form)

The best way to organize your thoughtsThe best way to organize your thoughts

3. Draw a Picture3. Draw a Picture

Visuals are critical to a good presentationVisuals are critical to a good presentation Should be pleasing to the eyeShould be pleasing to the eye Avoid excessive wordsAvoid excessive words

– Use handoutsUse handouts Always avoid excessive Always avoid excessive

use of equationsuse of equations Use to support pointsUse to support points

Draw a Picture (continued)Draw a Picture (continued)

Explain the axes in all graphsExplain the axes in all graphs Avoid detailed tables if at all possible Avoid detailed tables if at all possible

- is there another way to present the - is there another way to present the results that is clearer?results that is clearer?

4. Show and Tell4. Show and Tell

Use physical samples if possible - but be Use physical samples if possible - but be carefulcareful

Technical audiences are “touchy - feely” Technical audiences are “touchy - feely” orientedoriented

5. Don’t be Afraid to Repeat 5. Don’t be Afraid to Repeat YourselfYourself

Whole - Part - WholeWhole - Part - Whole Introduction (Tell them what you’re going Introduction (Tell them what you’re going

to tell them)to tell them) Body (Tell them)Body (Tell them)

Summary (Tell them what you told them)Summary (Tell them what you told them)

6. Practice, Practice, Practice6. Practice, Practice, Practice

The more you do it, the easier it getsThe more you do it, the easier it gets Don’t memorize,Don’t memorize,

know materialknow material Timing is veryTiming is very

importantimportant Eliminate “um’s”Eliminate “um’s”

and “you know’s”and “you know’s”

PracticePractice

PracticePractice

PracticePractice

PracticePractice

PracticePractice

PracticePractice

PracticePractice

PracticePractice

PracticePracticePracticePracticePracticePracticePracticePractice

7. Be Ready to Answer 7. Be Ready to Answer QuestionsQuestions

Goal is to entice audience to want to Goal is to entice audience to want to understand and know moreunderstand and know more

Set aside time for questionsSet aside time for questions Watch audience for unasked questionsWatch audience for unasked questions Answer question to best of your ability, if Answer question to best of your ability, if

you don’t know the answer - say so and you don’t know the answer - say so and offer to find the answeroffer to find the answer

8. Let Your Body Do The Talking8. Let Your Body Do The Talking

Show confidence and interest (no slouching)Show confidence and interest (no slouching) Maintain eye contactMaintain eye contact Watch your handsWatch your hands Personal Personal

appearance (pride) appearance (pride)

(Formal attire is not required for this presentation)(Formal attire is not required for this presentation)

9. Don’t Forget the Details9. Don’t Forget the Details

Is the equipment there?Is the equipment there? How does the equipment work?How does the equipment work?

SUMMARYSUMMARYWhat We’ve Done TodayWhat We’ve Done Today

Introduced and discussed nine points for Introduced and discussed nine points for preparation and delivery of an oral preparation and delivery of an oral presentationpresentation

Discussed the Whole - Part - Whole Discussed the Whole - Part - Whole techniquetechnique

Emphasized that the presentation is for the Emphasized that the presentation is for the audienceaudience

??Questions?Questions?

Dr. Cornwell, do we need to present every Dr. Cornwell, do we need to present every single item in our PDS? Won’t that be single item in our PDS? Won’t that be boring?boring?

Dr. Cornwell, should we just dive into our PDS or should we give some background on our product?

Dr. Cornwell, your kids are incredibly cute. Have you considered consulting an agent?

Dr. Cornwell, what sort of problems have you noticed with presentations in the past?