Chapter 6

Engineering
Communication

Purpose of a Talk
Is not to
Impress the audience
Tell them all you
know about a subject
Present every little
detail of your work

Is to
Give the audience a
sense of what your
idea/work is
Make them want to
read your paper
Get feedback on your
work

Why A Good Presentation?

You want people to:
Understand your work
Be INTERESTED in your work
Think youre great!

What happens if you give a bad one?

Few pay attention
They may fall asleep
Might think your work is not important
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Needs for Presentations in

Engineering

Introduce New Ideas for Approval

Share a Purpose/Intent
Persuade / Influence
Convey Information
Communicate Progress on
Project/Process
Demonstrate Ideas/Projects/Products
Wrap Up a Project

Tips For Presenting

How to Give GOOD Presentations:
Part I: Presence
Attitude
Voice
Mannerisms

Part II: Slide style

Understandable
Interesting

Will Show Examples of what NOT to do

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Part I
Keep Audience Interested
Keep them with You
Things that Can affect this
Topic, topic depth
Attitude/Presence
Mannerisms

Know Your Topic

Be Prepared to Get Questions!
What if I dont Know the Answer?
Know WHEN to say I dont know
Know HOW to say I dont know
Dont just Stand there Uncomfortably!

Be able to Recover from Interruptions

Know what to Skip if youre Running Late
Dont just Talk Faster!

Know your Audience

What are the needs/desires?

Their roles
Their interest to the subject
Distant or Live audience
Size
Attitudes
Knowledge

Part II: Slide Design

Goals:
Convey the Necessary Information
Be Readable/Understandable
Be Interesting (Enough)

Avoid:
Over Stimulation
Booooring

Basis for Presentation

Design Templates
Introduction, Body, Conclusion
Graphic Elements, Charts
Color, Animation, Video
Simplicity
Handouts, Notes

Design Structure and Template

Common Background or Theme

Logos, Project Name, Pictures
Standard Size, Colors, Fonts, Style
Simple and Non-Distractive
Appropriate Color Contrast and Font Size
Horizontal Slides

Contrast Guidelines
White Background, Black Text is Clearest
Can Use Other (dark) Text Colors
But be Careful -- Dont be Distracting!

Make Sure to not Use Light-on-White or

White-on-Light
Dont Using Glaring Colors
If not an Art Major, dont have to get Fancy

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Oral Presentation

Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Visual Aids
Speech Anxiety
Style

Non Verbal Communication

Visual Signals
Clothing
Gestures
Expressions
Stance

Vocal Signals
Volume
Speed
Pitch
Pauses

Non-Verbal Visual Dos

Dress Professionally
Dress Appropriately for Occasion
Dress With Colors That Compliment
Dress for Comfort

Eye Communication
Keep Eye Contact with Audience
Vary Your Target
Complete a Thought or Idea

Facial Expression

Non-Verbal Vocal Dos

Pitch
Volume
Rate
Emphasis
Pause

Dos for Preparing the Presentation

Check Slides for Accuracy and Organization
Learn to Use the Equipment Before
Making the Presentation
Have Pointers, Pens, Etc.
Have Backup Copies of Slides or Handouts
Practice, Practice, Practice

Dos for Giving the Presentation

Speak Clearly and Loudly

If you are Introduced, Thank the Moderator
Make a Smooth Transition Between Speakers
Spend Little Time Changing Slides
Have a Slide on the Screen at all Times
Tell in Advance if you are to Change Topics
Use a Pointer
Keep with the Times Allocated to you

Donts for Giving the Presentation

Talk to the Screen

Stand in Front of the Screen
Use your Hand as a Pointer
Point at the Audience
Put your Hands in your Pocket
Look at Watch

Donts for Giving the Presentation

Use Phrases such as Ah, Um Or Ok

Use Terms that are Not Defined
Read Material Directly from the Slides
Switch Back to Previously Shown Slides
Use Material in which you Cannot Answer
Questions