Presentation instructions

Oral presentation instructions

  • Presentations must be delivered in English.
  • Each presentation is 15 minutes long. It is recommended to use 12 minutes to present and 3 minutes for discussion/questions.
  • The available equipment will be a PC, a projector and microphones. The PC will have sound to facilitate the use of DVD clips or videos.
  • The session PCs will have access to the Internet.
  • The recommended file type to be used for presentations is PowerPoint or Portable Document Format (PDF).
  • The presentation files should be brought on a USB, memory stick or a similar memory device.
  • Speakers are requested to upload their presentation on to the session PC and report to the session chair 15 minutes before the start of the session.
  • All presenters will be introduced to the audience by the session chair.
  • As the total duration of your presentations is 15 minutes, the recommended number of slides for your PowerPoint file is 15.
  • The audience should respect the speaker’s time and leave the questions to the end of the speech. Speakers should not be interfered in order to provide an optimal atmosphere for concentration.
  • The audience should always show the maximum respect to the others’ presentations. We don’t need to share the same opinions as others, but we need to be respectful.

Recommendations to make a good oral presentation

  • Its contents should be structured and have the following parts: title, introduction, methods, results, discussion, etc.
  • Presentations should not contain full paragraphs of text. Use a key bullet points or outline format and elaborate on the points in your talk.
  • Every slide should contain a title that summarizes the information presented on the slide.
  • Create a logical flow for your presentation.
  • Used fonts should be in sans serif type (like Arial or Helvetica). This is because, when projected on a screen, letters lose some of their sharpness, and serif type (like Times) can look muddy.
  • Use large fonts, as big as realistically possible. Small fonts are hard to read.
  • Use contrasting colors either a dark background with light text or a light background with dark text.
  • Avoid busy backgrounds that will make the text hard to read. Keep the background simple.
  • Limit your graphics to 1-3 per page. Too many graphics can be distracting.
  • Avoid all CAPITAL LETTERS IN YOUR TEXT. It will look like you’re shouting.
  • Include a good combination of words, pictures, and graphics. Variety keeps the presentation interesting.
  • Slides are designed to supplement your presentation, not to BE your presentation. Keep it simple, and don’t read your presentation word for word from your slides.
  • Fill out a storyboard before you begin to put your presentation together. It will help you stay organized, and things will get done faster.
  • As the total duration of your presentations is 15 minutes, the recommended number of slides for your PowerPoint file is 15/20.

Style

  • Don’t read from the slide – vary your choice of words.
  • Don’t talk to the screen; maintain eye contact with the audience.
  • Use a laser pointer to indicate salient features of the slide as you speak (there will be one provided in the session room).
  • Speak loudly and articulate.