Tips for an effective presentation
What makes a talk memorable?
Think of the best, or most memorable, science talks you’ve ever seen and try the following:
- Take 2 minutes to write down the things you’ve seen successful speakers do during their talks.
- Write 3-5 sentences answering these questions:
- Who were the presenters?
- Why do you remember them?
- What do you remember? What sticks with you?
- What did the presenter do to keep you engaged?
Exercise from SCOPE (Science Communication Online Programme)
Noticing non-verbal cues
When you tell a friend or a family member about your research, notice their non-verbal cues, i.e., their facial expressions and body language.
Do they seem interested? Baffled? Bored or tired? Are they daydreaming?
If they don’t seem interested, try simplifying the words you use until you feel their attention is back!
Awareness of jargon
Practicing awareness of jargon can be done quite easily. Play a video of a scientific lecture by a well-known expert from a different field than yours (for example if you are a biologist look for a physics lecture and vice versa).
Now, write down the words and technical terms you don’t know. Feeling overwhelmed and confused?
This is a simulation of what happens when you try to explain your research to audiences outside your field of research or to non-professionals.
Enthusiasm is contagious!
When you talk about your research with enthusiasm and passion- it’s contagious!
If people see you love what you’re talking about, they’ll love it too?
Checkout why this happens #mirrorneurons: https://kids.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/frym.2017.00036