Research Institute

International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Presentation Skills
[communicating science effectively]

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Introductions Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

What are the

Hi!, My name is David shires, please call important things for
me David. I work for the international rice
research institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, this group to know
Philippines. I design and deliver about me to make my
management training and conduct in- work with them more
country training programs
effective?
I am married and my wife, Susan, and I
have three children – Kristy (29), Quentin How shall I give them
(25) and Katharine (17)
the information to
I enjoy watching football, proper make them more
Australian rules] and I play golf. My comfortable with me?
favorite hobby is scuba diving

Thank you
Will they relate to me
as a person?

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
You Will Learn . . . Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

 Create an exciting and relevant presentation

 Tailor the presentation to an ‘audience’

 Develop visual aids and handouts

 Confidently deliver your presentation.

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Presentations Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Watch the video of a presentation

and make a list of the things the Sample
presenter did badly during the
In your group. . .
presentation.

Video

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
 Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Bad points:
Couldn’t understand his language
He was far too loud
Lost his place in the presentation
The equipment didn’t work when he started
He got angry with other people

etc

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Your Experience Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Think about the good

presentations you have seen. Use Sample
this knowledge to say how the bad
In your group. . . points could be corrected.

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
 Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Bad points: Correction

Couldn’t understand speak slowly and clearly
his language

He was far too loud moderate voice

Lost his place in presentation have notes in order

The equipment didn’t work check equipment before

when he started

He got angry with people don’t show anger

etc

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Science in Society Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Think about these survey results.

Make a list of what this means to Sample
In your group. . . a science presenter.

A survey of the public showed that:

“50 percent of the public thinks that people and dinosaurs
lived on Earth at the same time.”
“Less than 50 percent of the public knows that it takes the Earth
a year to go around the Sun.”

“Only 30 percent can define DNA, the recipe book for all life.”

“Only about 13 percent can define a molecule.”

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
 Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The survey tells me:

Many people have little understanding of

basic science
Technical terms are misunderstood generally
There may be little interest in science
There is some understanding of science in the
community
Biological science is generally a mystery to
the public

etc

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Science Presenters Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

 Can't just report; They must teach

 Must keep it simple

 Make the science appeal

 Should use visual images

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
A Presentation Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Preparation
Audience
Outcome
Content
Visual aids Location
Handout

Rehearsal
&
Delivery
Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Your Presentation Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

To practice the process on the

previous slide, you will prepare
and deliver a presentation to the
Individually. . .
workshop:

A 10-minute presentation on the topic of either

‘The importance of my latest science research’

or
‘The role of my organization and its science’

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Your Audience? Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Knowing your audience helps you decide:

What to say
How to say it
In what order to say it

Discuss the audience for your

presentation and decide an approach that Sample
is appropriate to this audience.
In your group. . .

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
What Is the Outcome? Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

To start preparing a presentation decide what

your audience should ‘know’, ‘understand’ or ‘be
able to do’ after your presentation.

Complete the following sentence: Sample

At the end of the presentation,
Individually. . . my audience will . . . .

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
 Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

At the end of my presentation,

the audience will understand
that pesticides should only
be used twice in the growth cycle.

or

At the end of my presentation,

the audience will be able to identify
the four common pests found in this region.

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
The Content Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Title: Short and ‘attention grabbing’

Introduction: [20% of time] Set the scene & state the main message
Answer questions like "What does it do?" "What is it for?“
Try using a picture, quote or key question.
Body of presentation: [60% of time] Select small, relevant parts
Describe each part of your topic.
Focus on what is most important to the audience..

Conclusion: [20% of time] A memorable summary!!!

Re-state the main message.

Develop an outline of the content for

your own paper and discuss it with Sample
members of your group.
Individually. . .

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
 Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Title: Quality rice for 50% less input in 20% less time

Introduction: Would you like to achieve the same yields of the

same quality rice 20% quicker Using only half the inputs? Yes! We
all would!
This is possible by better management of pesticide input.
The research shows that the correct amount of the right pesticide
at the right time requires half the inputs and improves efficiency.

Body of presentation: Where I did the research

The results of the research show. . . .
The research suggests that . . . .

Conclusion: Quality rice for 50% less input in 20% less time – do it
now!

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Location Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Discuss the location that you will use.

Consider: Sample
Temperature
In your group. . . Lighting
Space
Sounds
Technology

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
 Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Location: Main lecture room.

Room for 50 people – sit participants at the front.

Make sure room is air-conditioned before
presentation
Organize grass cutting not to occur during
presentation
OHP available but check it works first – spare bulb in
machine?
Room lights on but front lights off over projector

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
A Presentation Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Preparation
Audience
Outcome
Content
Visual aids Location
Handout

Rehearsal
&
Delivery
Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Visual Aids Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Good visual aids are a wonderful

addition to your presentation and
help the audience understand and
remember the main points!

Poor visual aids make your

presentation appear poor and not
worthy of remembering!

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Guidelines for Aids Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Relevant & simple

Don’t have too many

Use appropriate colors for text and background

Use reasonable font size

Maximum: 4-5 points

each of 6 or less words

Make images appropriate to the audience

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Visual Aids Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Develop up to three (3) visual aids to

accompany your presentation

Individually. . .

Share your visual aids with your group for critique

Use the group comments to modify your visual aids

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
A Presentation Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Preparation
Audience
Outcome
Content
Visual aids Location
Handout

Rehearsal
&
Delivery
Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Handouts Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Question: When do people read handouts?

They don't!!

Handouts are not a: Handouts are a:

• text version of your talk • reminder of your main message

• copy of your visual aids • important notes to take away
• your science paper • a call to action
• instructions for follow-up action

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Handouts Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Plan a handout to accompany your

presentation. Sample

Individually. . .

Remember, to be successful handouts must use:

An eye-catching design
Helpful layout
One idea per part
Simple language

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
 Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Title

An eye-catching Introduction
picture! Describe List key points!
the picture?

What The body of the text. Up

technical to 3 paragraphs
words need List the major content
explanation? ideas!

Contact name
phone, email

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
A Presentation Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Preparation
Audience
Outcome
Content
Visual aids Location
Handout

Rehearsal
&
Delivery
Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
The Presentation Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

and the rehearsal

Be natural and relaxed

Be enthusiastic, friendly and confident
Dress appropriately, in keeping with the audience

Use eye contact; look at the audience

Be clear but vary your
voice
Use a conversational tone – don’t try to be formal
Use simple words and avoid long sentences.

Allow comments and questions

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Engaging the Audience Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The aim of a presentation is

not just to talk about a topic,

show pictures or play an audio
tape

but…….

to provide the audience with an

experience to remember.

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Things Not to Do Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Use jargon
Overwhelm with detail
Go over time
Use text that can’t be read
Stand in the way of your visuals
Distract (e.G., Gestures)
Say: Ummmmm, ahhhhhh
Stare at one point
Slouch

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
Nervousness Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

[butterflies in the stomach]

When you are nervous, you body

adjusts by changing your blood
pressure and increasing your
adrenaline level. You turn red,
shake or perspire……..
To compensate, try some physical
actions to relax – take a deep breath.

Make sure you know the room,

audience and materials. Avoid using
unfamiliar equipment especially if it
needs precision motions.

Visualize yourself giving the

presentation, memorize your
introduction and practice, practice,
practice!
Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
The Rehearsal Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Rehearse the presentation with your group.

Sample
Have the group make suggestions for
improvement.
Individually. . .

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
 Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

A form for evaluating presentations can be seen by

clicking the link below:

This document also contains instructions on how to use

this form.

This form will be used in the evaluation of your presentation.

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
 Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Presentation

Deliver your presentation to the

workshop
Individually. . .

Remember:

Talks should be relaxed and move along well

The audience should be involved
Aids were well presented.
You are an actor – dominate the space you are working in.

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills
 Research Institute
International RiceINTERNATIONAL  RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Presentation Skills

Presentation Skills
Presentation Skills