its really a useful msg. thanks for tips

Indeed. The first post was most comphrehensive.

A few things I've learned (not that I'm an accomplished or very experienced speaker):

People really like simple, illuminative talks, rather than difficult, technical ones.

They also like talks which end a little early -- going over time is taboo!

No offense C-A but I disagree with a few of your points. But the first point I am in total agreement with you- your talk needs to be engineered with your audience in mind. This means changing the talk if you give it multiple times to different audiences. Easier said than done of course

These are the bits I might avoid though.

Don't take prompter cards etc. You'll just end up reading off them and not talking to the audience. Most people use some sort of powerpoint set anyway- those are your cue cards. Know your talk and know your material.

If you are a fidgetter DO NOT take something up there that you'll end up playing with. If you are a guy take the keys out of your pocket. You don't want to see what that looks like to the audience...

I agree with Nathaniel: don't fidget.

But his advice not to have notes is the advice of perfection. I've been giving talks for nearly 50 years in all sorts of situations and still would not stand up without something written down. Unless you are the AJP Taylor of the 21st century (the popular historian who gave television lectures live to camera with no notes and a sense of timing second to none), don't even think about it.

On the other hand, he's right: avoid the temptation to simply read from your notes. But you can do that my making the sort of the notes which you could not possibly just read out, i.e. one word headings or similar.

As for powerpoints: only use them if they are necessary and add to, rather than repeat, what you are saying. Death by powerpoint has been the fate of many an undeserving audience.

I agree about Powerpoints, you only really need them for showing pictures, graphs, maps etc etc - I try to have as little text as possible on my slides as there is a horrible danger of ending up just reading from the slides...which is more than a touch boring for the audience.

As for notes, prompt cards etc, you really have to find what works best for your own style. I know people who appear to present with no notes but who in reality have spent days previously memorising their whole spiel whilst others read from comprehensive notes (boring...don't do it). I find the best balance is a list of headings and key points that will help maintain the pace and structure of the talk together with comprehensive preparation!!

Re-iterating the other posts; use notes that are clear enough for you to follow both in terms of what they say and their physical layout - I double line space and 18 point mine, have abbrevaited sentences for the argument I am following but have quotations written out in full). No matter what I wouldn't aadvise writing the whole thing out verbatim - you will end up readin it and your presentation will sound stilted and dull.

Powerpoint is so difficult to use properly. I agree with the above postings; only use a 'slide' if it enhances or expands on your argument. Do not use it (as oh so many lecturers do) as your notes - you will just end up repeating everything on the slide.

When you move on from the point your slide makes, remove the image. I place blank slides as place holders so that the audience isn't distracted from my current point by the one I made 2-minutes ago.

I would also add that preparation is vital. Know which slides are coming up in what order and have the confidence that they will do so, so that you aren't constantly looking over your shoulder to check that they are there!

All good points. I tend to take note of presentations that I have liked and disliked and use these as a guide. Mainly,

- keep it simple and remember that people's attention will wander after about 10 minutes, especially if they have sat through previous presentations

- learn to project your voice, so everyone can hear you: practice talking to the back of the room

- it is OK to have notes, but practice them beforehand, so you are looking up at the audience more than you are looking down at your notes

- don't turn round to address your slides: if anyone in the audience has a hearing disability, they will not be able to read your lips

- anticipate the technology failing and have printed slides and an OHP handy

- leave time for questions - for me, the questions are the most important part and the place where I learn the most

A preview tip - if you are unsure how you are viewed when you present either try and have a dress rehearsal recorded or the presentation itself.

While it may seem confronting it is a great way of detecting negative presentation habits.

The best way of picking them up is to run the playback at a faster speed (ie fast forward) this way frequently used gestures are highlighted - and once aware it is much easier to work on removing them from your next presentation.

Interesting point Anne! As a minister and a doctoral student, I find that taping oneself is a part of many ideas that one could use to practice their presentations. But I have to admit, I have never tired speeding or slowing the tape to catch specific mistakes...I have spoken in front of various congregations and use technology. However, one of the best ways to get feedback is from a member of the audience.

A previous commenter said to not write out your talk verbatim. However, when I prepare a new talk, I do initially write it out all verbatim, as a script. I find that the process helps firm the material in my mind. I then read what I have written to myself to hear it in my mind's ear. However, I do NOT have the script in front of me when I rehearse the talk, and I certainly do not have it anywhere on or near my person when giving the talk for real.

As far as powerpoint or not -- I suppose it depends on what field you are in and what you are talking about. My field is math, and almost always there are equations, diagrams, etc. that need to be displayed. If one has the time to write these on a chalkboard / whiteboard during the talk, then this has the benefit of naturally pacing the material. But if there are very many of them and they are complex, or if like me you have to take too long a time in order to write it all out legibly, then slides of some sort (powerpoint or transparencies on OHP) are handy. I am learning to write very few words on such slides, sticking mainly to equations and diagrams, and let my talking do the talking. In my first talk I used a laser pointer, but I have dropped it since. If the display screen is within easy reach, I will often stand next to it and point with my hand to what I am referring to. A little physical movement seems to help put me at ease, and people don't seem to mind.

The golden rule with powerpoint - de rigeur in my field - is allow 2mn per slide + intro and conclusion + one extra. Maximimum. This means that for a 20mn presentation 13 slides is enough. Any more and you will go over time. I also agree that the fewer words the better - people want (you hope) to listen to you - if they want to read they can go to the library.

It's worth planning presentations very carefully - with most of them by the time you've outlined your research you only really have time to make one smacker of a point and it's better to do this than waffle on - after all, the point of most conferences (when such is the scenario) is to encourage people to come and talk to you in the breaks.

With scripting, better to use one - even if you end up reading from it - than not and go over time. It's possible to learn sight-reading techniques which can make it appear spontaneous and unscripted, and I always go down this route - but everyone works differently.

I should point out that I adore presenting and find the discipline of writing talks helps me with formulating my thoughts for other media.

I find that index cards with printed cues are much better than reading from a script, I do keep my paper with me too, I usually need it when asked questions.

My first presentation was terrifying. Here are some tips which may or may not be of use to others:

- research the audience ahead of time if possible, find out who's coming so you know at what level to pitch your talk,

- outline your talk to the audience(tell them what you're going to tell them), then tell it, then recap @ the end,

- keep it simple,

- take distractor items...such as a video which you can play to enhance your point, or tables which can be projected, examples of your work (these are to distract you from the terror of presenting, not to distract your listeners),

- take prompter cards or a sheet of paper with each topic on it & lay it in front of you (preferably on a podium) so you can keep on track,

- take a small digital clock so you know how much time you've got left,

- make sure there is a glass of water nearby

- if you're a figdetter, carry a pen or pencil that you can fidget with while giving your talk,

- stand slightly to the side of the room, rather than in the centre,

- talk slowly. Talking quickly could confuse your audience and they'll only ask you to repeat what you've already said in question-time.

- remember to breathe and smile.

I hope this helps someone out there!

I recently had to give a pecha kucha presentation which is where simplicity becomes the most important element of your presentation.

Someone told me that a presentation slide should follow a 6 - 6 rule, 6 lines with 6 words each is the most text you should put on.

In a pecha kucha I reckon that goes down to 3 - 6 at least.

I have watched Pecha Kucha and think they are really confusing. There is just no time to take anything in. I can see why someone thought it would be a nice idea but it sort of defeats the object of a presentation which is to explain your work to others.

If you only flash through the slides really quickly, can't take questions and can't dwell on the slides it is very hard to keep it simple, in keeping with this thread.