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How to make a scientific presentation

Scientific presentation outlines

Questions to ask yourself before you write your talk, 1. how much time do you have, 2. who will you speak to, 3. what do you want the audience to learn from your talk, step 1: outline your presentation, step 2: plan your presentation slides, step 3: make the presentation slides, slide design, text elements, animations and transitions, step 4: practice your presentation, final thoughts, frequently asked questions about preparing scientific presentations, related articles.

A good scientific presentation achieves three things: you communicate the science clearly, your research leaves a lasting impression on your audience, and you enhance your reputation as a scientist.

But, what is the best way to prepare for a scientific presentation? How do you start writing a talk? What details do you include, and what do you leave out?

It’s tempting to launch into making lots of slides. But, starting with the slides can mean you neglect the narrative of your presentation, resulting in an overly detailed, boring talk.

The key to making an engaging scientific presentation is to prepare the narrative of your talk before beginning to construct your presentation slides. Planning your talk will ensure that you tell a clear, compelling scientific story that will engage the audience.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to make a good oral scientific presentation, including:

• The different types of oral scientific presentations and how they are delivered;
• How to outline a scientific presentation;
• How to make slides for a scientific presentation.

Our advice results from delving into the literature on writing scientific talks and from our own experiences as scientists in giving and listening to presentations. We provide tips and best practices for giving scientific talks in a separate post.

There are two main types of scientific talks:

• Your talk focuses on a single study . Typically, you tell the story of a single scientific paper. This format is common for short talks at contributed sessions in conferences.
• Your talk describes multiple studies. You tell the story of multiple scientific papers. It is crucial to have a theme that unites the studies, for example, an overarching question or problem statement, with each study representing specific but different variations of the same theme. Typically, PhD defenses, invited seminars, lectures, or talks for a prospective employer (i.e., “job talks”) fall into this category.

➡️ Learn how to prepare an excellent thesis defense

The length of time you are allotted for your talk will determine whether you will discuss a single study or multiple studies, and which details to include in your story.

The background and interests of your audience will determine the narrative direction of your talk, and what devices you will use to get their attention. Will you be speaking to people specializing in your field, or will the audience also contain people from disciplines other than your own? To reach non-specialists, you will need to discuss the broader implications of your study outside your field.

The needs of the audience will also determine what technical details you will include, and the language you will use. For example, an undergraduate audience will have different needs than an audience of seasoned academics. Students will require a more comprehensive overview of background information and explanations of jargon but will need less technical methodological details.

Your goal is to speak to the majority. But, make your talk accessible to the least knowledgeable person in the room.

This is called the thesis statement, or simply the “take-home message”. Having listened to your talk, what message do you want the audience to take away from your presentation? Describe the main idea in one or two sentences. You want this theme to be present throughout your presentation. Again, the thesis statement will depend on the audience and the type of talk you are giving.

Your thesis statement will drive the narrative for your talk. By deciding the take-home message you want to convince the audience of as a result of listening to your talk, you decide how the story of your talk will flow and how you will navigate its twists and turns. The thesis statement tells you the results you need to show, which subsequently tells you the methods or studies you need to describe, which decides the angle you take in your introduction.

➡️ Learn how to write a thesis statement

The goal of your talk is that the audience leaves afterward with a clear understanding of the key take-away message of your research. To achieve that goal, you need to tell a coherent, logical story that conveys your thesis statement throughout the presentation. You can tell your story through careful preparation of your talk.

Preparation of a scientific presentation involves three separate stages: outlining the scientific narrative, preparing slides, and practicing your delivery. Making the slides of your talk without first planning what you are going to say is inefficient.

Here, we provide a 4 step guide to writing your scientific presentation:

• Outline your presentation
• Plan your presentation slides
• Make the presentation slides
• Practice your presentation

Writing an outline helps you consider the key pieces of your talk and how they fit together from the beginning, preventing you from forgetting any important details. It also means you avoid changing the order of your slides multiple times, saving you time.

Plan your talk as discrete sections. In the table below, we describe the sections for a single study talk vs. a talk discussing multiple studies:

The following tips apply when writing the outline of a single study talk. You can easily adapt this framework if you are writing a talk discussing multiple studies.

Introduction: Writing the introduction can be the hardest part of writing a talk. And when giving it, it’s the point where you might be at your most nervous. But preparing a good, concise introduction will settle your nerves.

The introduction tells the audience the story of why you studied your topic. A good introduction succinctly achieves four things, in the following order.

• It gives a broad perspective on the problem or topic for people in the audience who may be outside your discipline (i.e., it explains the big-picture problem motivating your study).
• It describes why you did the study, and why the audience should care.
• It gives a brief indication of how your study addressed the problem and provides the necessary background information that the audience needs to understand your work.
• It indicates what the audience will learn from the talk, and prepares them for what will come next.

A good introduction not only gives the big picture and motivations behind your study but also concisely sets the stage for what the audience will learn from the talk (e.g., the questions your work answers, and/or the hypotheses that your work tests). The end of the introduction will lead to a natural transition to the methods.

Give a broad perspective on the problem. The easiest way to start with the big picture is to think of a hook for the first slide of your presentation. A hook is an opening that gets the audience’s attention and gets them interested in your story. In science, this might take the form of a why, or a how question, or it could be a statement about a major problem or open question in your field. Other examples of hooks include quotes, short anecdotes, or interesting statistics.

Why should the audience care? Next, decide on the angle you are going to take on your hook that links to the thesis of your talk. In other words, you need to set the context, i.e., explain why the audience should care. For example, you may introduce an observation from nature, a pattern in experimental data, or a theory that you want to test. The audience must understand your motivations for the study.

Supplementary details. Once you have established the hook and angle, you need to include supplementary details to support them. For example, you might state your hypothesis. Then go into previous work and the current state of knowledge. Include citations of these studies. If you need to introduce some technical methodological details, theory, or jargon, do it here.

Conclude your introduction. The motivation for the work and background information should set the stage for the conclusion of the introduction, where you describe the goals of your study, and any hypotheses or predictions. Let the audience know what they are going to learn.

Methods: The audience will use your description of the methods to assess the approach you took in your study and to decide whether your findings are credible. Tell the story of your methods in chronological order. Use visuals to describe your methods as much as possible. If you have equations, make sure to take the time to explain them. Decide what methods to include and how you will show them. You need enough detail so that your audience will understand what you did and therefore can evaluate your approach, but avoid including superfluous details that do not support your main idea. You want to avoid the common mistake of including too much data, as the audience can read the paper(s) later.

Results: This is the evidence you present for your thesis. The audience will use the results to evaluate the support for your main idea. Choose the most important and interesting results—those that support your thesis. You don’t need to present all the results from your study (indeed, you most likely won’t have time to present them all). Break down complex results into digestible pieces, e.g., comparisons over multiple slides (more tips in the next section).

Summary: Summarize your main findings. Displaying your main findings through visuals can be effective. Emphasize the new contributions to scientific knowledge that your work makes.

Conclusion: Complete the circle by relating your conclusions to the big picture topic in your introduction—and your hook, if possible. It’s important to describe any alternative explanations for your findings. You might also speculate on future directions arising from your research. The slides that comprise your conclusion do not need to state “conclusion”. Rather, the concluding slide title should be a declarative sentence linking back to the big picture problem and your main idea.

It’s important to end well by planning a strong closure to your talk, after which you will thank the audience. Your closing statement should relate to your thesis, perhaps by stating it differently or memorably. Avoid ending awkwardly by memorizing your closing sentence.

By now, you have an outline of the story of your talk, which you can use to plan your slides. Your slides should complement and enhance what you will say. Use the following steps to prepare your slides.

• Write the slide titles to match your talk outline. These should be clear and informative declarative sentences that succinctly give the main idea of the slide (e.g., don’t use “Methods” as a slide title). Have one major idea per slide. In a YouTube talk on designing effective slides , researcher Michael Alley shows examples of instructive slide titles.
• Decide how you will convey the main idea of the slide (e.g., what figures, photographs, equations, statistics, references, or other elements you will need). The body of the slide should support the slide’s main idea.
• Under each slide title, outline what you want to say, in bullet points.

In sum, for each slide, prepare a title that summarizes its major idea, a list of visual elements, and a summary of the points you will make. Ensure each slide connects to your thesis. If it doesn’t, then you don’t need the slide.

Slides for scientific presentations have three major components: text (including labels and legends), graphics, and equations. Here, we give tips on how to present each of these components.

• Have an informative title slide. Include the names of all coauthors and their affiliations. Include an attractive image relating to your study.
• Make the foreground content of your slides “pop” by using an appropriate background. Slides that have white backgrounds with black text work well for small rooms, whereas slides with black backgrounds and white text are suitable for large rooms.
• The layout of your slides should be simple. Pay attention to how and where you lay the visual and text elements on each slide. It’s tempting to cram information, but you need lots of empty space. Retain space at the sides and bottom of your slides.
• Use sans serif fonts with a font size of at least 20 for text, and up to 40 for slide titles. Citations can be in 14 font and should be included at the bottom of the slide.
• Use bold or italics to emphasize words, not underlines or caps. Keep these effects to a minimum.
• Use concise text . You don’t need full sentences. Convey the essence of your message in as few words as possible. Write down what you’d like to say, and then shorten it for the slide. Remove unnecessary filler words.
• Text blocks should be limited to two lines. This will prevent you from crowding too much information on the slide.
• Include names of technical terms in your talk slides, especially if they are not familiar to everyone in the audience.
• Proofread your slides. Typos and grammatical errors are distracting for your audience.
• Include citations for the hypotheses or observations of other scientists.
• Good figures and graphics are essential to sustain audience interest. Use graphics and photographs to show the experiment or study system in action and to explain abstract concepts.
• Don’t use figures straight from your paper as they may be too detailed for your talk, and details like axes may be too small. Make new versions if necessary. Make them large enough to be visible from the back of the room.
• Use graphs to show your results, not tables. Tables are difficult for your audience to digest! If you must present a table, keep it simple.
• Label the axes of graphs and indicate the units. Label important components of graphics and photographs and include captions. Include sources for graphics that are not your own.
• Explain all the elements of a graph. This includes the axes, what the colors and markers mean, and patterns in the data.
• Use colors in figures and text in a meaningful, not random, way. For example, contrasting colors can be effective for pointing out comparisons and/or differences. Don’t use neon colors or pastels.
• Use thick lines in figures, and use color to create contrasts in the figures you present. Don’t use red/green or red/blue combinations, as color-blind audience members can’t distinguish between them.
• Arrows or circles can be effective for drawing attention to key details in graphs and equations. Add some text annotations along with them.
• Write your summary and conclusion slides using graphics, rather than showing a slide with a list of bullet points. Showing some of your results again can be helpful to remind the audience of your message.
• If your talk has equations, take time to explain them. Include text boxes to explain variables and mathematical terms, and put them under each term in the equation.
• Combine equations with a graphic that shows the scientific principle, or include a diagram of the mathematical model.
• Use animations judiciously. They are helpful to reveal complex ideas gradually, for example, if you need to make a comparison or contrast or to build a complicated argument or figure. For lists, reveal one bullet point at a time. New ideas appearing sequentially will help your audience follow your logic.
• Slide transitions should be simple. Silly ones distract from your message.
• Decide how you will make the transition as you move from one section of your talk to the next. For example, if you spend time talking through details, provide a summary afterward, especially in a long talk. Another common tactic is to have a “home slide” that you return to multiple times during the talk that reinforces your main idea or message. In her YouTube talk on designing effective scientific presentations , Stanford biologist Susan McConnell suggests using the approach of home slides to build a cohesive narrative.

To deliver a polished presentation, it is essential to practice it. Here are some tips.

• For your first run-through, practice alone. Pay attention to your narrative. Does your story flow naturally? Do you know how you will start and end? Are there any awkward transitions? Do animations help you tell your story? Do your slides help to convey what you are saying or are they missing components?
• Next, practice in front of your advisor, and/or your peers (e.g., your lab group). Ask someone to time your talk. Take note of their feedback and the questions that they ask you (you might be asked similar questions during your real talk).
• Edit your talk, taking into account the feedback you’ve received. Eliminate superfluous slides that don’t contribute to your takeaway message.
• Practice as many times as needed to memorize the order of your slides and the key transition points of your talk. However, don’t try to learn your talk word for word. Instead, memorize opening and closing statements, and sentences at key junctures in the presentation. Your presentation should resemble a serious but spontaneous conversation with the audience.
• Practicing multiple times also helps you hone the delivery of your talk. While rehearsing, pay attention to your vocal intonations and speed. Make sure to take pauses while you speak, and make eye contact with your imaginary audience.
• Make sure your talk finishes within the allotted time, and remember to leave time for questions. Conferences are particularly strict on run time.
• Anticipate questions and challenges from the audience, and clarify ambiguities within your slides and/or speech in response.
• If you anticipate that you could be asked questions about details but you don’t have time to include them, or they detract from the main message of your talk, you can prepare slides that address these questions and place them after the final slide of your talk.

➡️ More tips for giving scientific presentations

An organized presentation with a clear narrative will help you communicate your ideas effectively, which is essential for engaging your audience and conveying the importance of your work. Taking time to plan and outline your scientific presentation before writing the slides will help you manage your nerves and feel more confident during the presentation, which will improve your overall performance.

A good scientific presentation has an engaging scientific narrative with a memorable take-home message. It has clear, informative slides that enhance what the speaker says. You need to practice your talk many times to ensure you deliver a polished presentation.

First, consider who will attend your presentation, and what you want the audience to learn about your research. Tailor your content to their level of knowledge and interests. Second, create an outline for your presentation, including the key points you want to make and the evidence you will use to support those points. Finally, practice your presentation several times to ensure that it flows smoothly and that you are comfortable with the material.

Prepare an opening that immediately gets the audience’s attention. A common device is a why or a how question, or a statement of a major open problem in your field, but you could also start with a quote, interesting statistic, or case study from your field.

Scientific presentations typically either focus on a single study (e.g., a 15-minute conference presentation) or tell the story of multiple studies (e.g., a PhD defense or 50-minute conference keynote talk). For a single study talk, the structure follows the scientific paper format: Introduction, Methods, Results, Summary, and Conclusion, whereas the format of a talk discussing multiple studies is more complex, but a theme unifies the studies.

Ensure you have one major idea per slide, and convey that idea clearly (through images, equations, statistics, citations, video, etc.). The slide should include a title that summarizes the major point of the slide, should not contain too much text or too many graphics, and color should be used meaningfully.

Ten smart ways to ace your next academic presentation

Using examples and practical tips, Dorsa Amir explains the techniques that ensure your presentation communicates its message effectively – from slide design to structuring your talk

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As a presenter, your main job is to guide the audience through your argument in the clearest, most engaging, most efficient way possible. You must respect the audience’s time and attention. This means being mindful of how long your presentation is, what you’re including in your slides, and importantly, how it is all packaged and presented.

A great presenter is one who is intentional: each element in the presentation serves a clear function and is intended to support the audience’s understanding of the content.

Here are 10 tips to keep in mind to ensure your presentation hits the mark

1. Any time you put something on your slides, its primary purpose is to help the audience, not you

Many presenters will add copious text or other elements to help themselves remember points they want to make. However, this is usually less helpful for the audience (most of this information belongs in presenter notes, and not on the slides). Think of yourself like a director of a movie. What do you want the audience to focus on at any given moment? What features on your slides will enhance the verbal point you are making and which will distract from it? Be intentional about what you include on your slides, and only include elements that serve a clear and helpful function for the audience.

2. Condense text to the main question or key points of the slide

It may be tempting to write out snippets of the script wholesale and add them to the slides, but this often results in PowerPoint karaoke, where the audience is simply watching you read the text out loud to them. While text is certainly useful for helping to concretise points or make slides more accessible, be judicious about what you include. Each slide should make one or two clear points. It’s better to have more slides with less content than fewer slides that are jam-packed. Of course, the amount of text you include will also be determined by the type of presentation you are giving. If students will be using your slides as a study aid, for example, you may want to include more information than if you are creating a research talk for a conference.

3. Avoid using too many colours, fonts or animations

Consider elements such as fonts, colours and animations as tools in your presentation toolkit. These elements should be used sparingly and only when they serve a clear purpose. I’m sure you’ve all attended a talk with colours bright enough to burn your retinas or crammed with “fun” fonts such as Comic Sans. Try to refrain from doing that. Animations that allow certain elements to appear or disappear along with your presentation — such as bullet points that appear as you say them — can help direct the attention of the audience. Colour contrasts are primarily helpful for visual segmentation or bringing attention to particular elements. Fonts, colours or flashy animations that are purely decorative are more distracting than helpful.

4. Avoid colour combinations that are hard to read

Be mindful of how colours interact with each other to either facilitate or inhibit comprehension. White text on black (or the reverse) is often a safe bet. Don’t overdecorate! (See above).

5.  If you’re showing a graph, orient the audience to the axes before plotting the data and make sure they can actually see all of it

I typically show the axes and labels first, making sure to orient everyone to the variables and how they are going to be visualised, and then I reveal the data. This ensures that everyone understands how to interpret the visualisation they are about to see. It is also helpful to restate the key prediction and tell the audience what they should expect to see if the prediction is true, and then plot the data. Use large sizes and clear fonts. I’ve heard way too many people say things like: “You probably can’t read this but…” To that, I want to say: “But you’re the one making the slide! You did this to us!” Don’t be that person.

6.  Use high-resolution images or videos

This is especially true for presentations that will be projected onto a larger surface. If it’s fuzzy on your computer screen, it will look even fuzzier when magnified and projected. Try to integrate high-resolution images and vector graphics to avoid this. When your images contain text, delete those portions and re-enter the text in text boxes that will scale up much more clearly when magnified.

7. When illustrating results, identify one or two key graphs to make your point

The temptation is often to show the audience every single result you found, but this dilutes the overall message you are trying to send. There’s no need to visualise everything: you should focus on the key graphs that tell most or all of the story. If you have built up the presentation in the right way, when the audience see your data visualisation, they will immediately understand what you found and whether it supports your hypothesis. That’s how clear and accessible the graph should be.

8.  Don’t overload the audience with unnecessary complex jargon or acronyms

Every time you introduce a new term or a brand new acronym (BNA), you are asking the audience to do you a favour and commit this new item to working memory. The audience doesn’t know your presentation; they don’t know what’s going to be important later and what isn’t. They’re trusting that you are only presenting information to them that is relevant and they’re doing their best to follow along. Make this process as easy and enjoyable as possible for them. Be judicious with what you ask them to remember or commit to memory. If you can explain a concept without jargon, avoid the jargon!

9. Enhance accessibility

The Web Accessibility Initiative has a great set of guidelines that I will summarise here. Use easy-to-read fonts in large sizes. Make sure there is enough contrast between colours to make them discernible. When giving virtual talks, consider turning on automatic closed captioning. If it’s feasible, provide annotated slide handouts. During the presentation itself, speak clearly and loudly, avoiding unnecessarily complex vocabulary or culturally specific idioms. Where possible, use a microphone. You should also try to verbally describe pertinent parts of visual information on your slides, such as graphics or videos.

10. Use outline slides and marker slides to segment information

Research shows that we understand and remember information better when it comes in bite-size pieces; think of chapters in a book. To incorporate this structure into your talk, break apart the presentation into smaller pieces. Always incorporate an outline slide that previews the structure of the talk and gives the audience a sense of what to expect. Also, use marker slides to communicate that a new section is beginning. And make sure to wrap up each section with a summary slide.

Dorsa Amir is a postdoc in the department of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.

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 Academic Presentations

Academic presentations are an integral part of university study and assessment. Academic presentations may be presented individually or as a group activity but both require the key skills of planning and structuring key information. The key difference between an academic presentation and a general presentation is that it is usually quite formal and includes academic research to evidence the ideas presented. The presentation will include references to credible sources and demonstrate clearly your knowledge and familiarity of the topic.

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Giving a good academic presentation

• Think about the aim of your presentation and what you want to achieve.
• Concentrate on your audience: who   they are and  what   they (want to) know.
• Choose the topic that interests you: involvement and motivation are key to confidence.
• Give your presentation a  clear   and  logical   organization so that everyone can follow.
• Present information  visually : this adds interest to your talk and makes it easier to follow.
• Practise giving your presentation until you are familiar with the key points; this way you may discover any potential problems and check the timing. Besides, practice will also make you feel more confident.

Basic outline / structure

• Introduction: introduce the topic, some basic background, thesis (your stance or argument).
• Outline: provide basic bullet points on the key parts of the presentation.
• Main body: divide the main body into sections.
• Evaluation: always include evaluation. This can be a separate section or part of the main body.
• Conclusion: summarise key points, restate the thesis and make a recommendation / suggestion / prediction.
• Reference list: create one slide with all your sources.
• Questions : be prepared to answer questions.
• Cope with nerves: breathe deeply; it calms you down and stops you from talking too quickly.
• Control your voice: speak clearly and try to sound interesting by changing intonation and rhythm.
• Watch your body language: try to give the impression that you are relaxed and confident.
• Maintain eye contact with your audience: it keeps them interested in what you are saying. For this reason, you should not read.
• Provide visual information, but do not give too many facts at a time. Give your audience enough time to take them in.
• Keep attention by asking rhetorical questions.

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Presentation Speaking Criteria

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An Introduction to Academic Presentations

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Making Academic Presentations

What every university student needs to know.

Encourages academic success by guiding students through the steps of an academic presentation

Table of contents

Contents Introduction 1.    What is a Presentation? Audience Purpose 2.    Presentation Moves     Move 1: Starting the Presentation (the Introduction)     Move 2: Flowing Through the Presentation (the Body)     Move 3: Using Visual Aids     Move 4: Concluding the Presentation (the Conclusion)     Move 5: Managing the Q & A 3.    Other Considerations Overcoming Nervousness Non-Verbal Communication Pronunciation and Paralinguistics 4.    Presentation Projects Appendix 1: Rubrics and Evaluation Forms and Ideas Extra Reading

Description

The ability to give a successful presentation in an academic setting is critical to success both on and off campus. Making Academic Presentations describes the five moves, or parts, of a typical presentation and provides examples of language that can be used to successfully accomplish these moves. Although language is vital to giving a good presentation, the book also addresses other factors that influence the success of a presentation, such as overcoming nervousness, nonverbal communication, and pronunciation and paralinguistics. 

The book includes a variety of tasks that will help students practice developing and analyzing presentations as well as practice projects for applying these lessons. In addition, rubrics and evaluation forms are included for instructors to adapt and use for evaluation purposes.

Robyn Brinks Lockwood is a Lecturer at Stanford University. Her other books include Office Hours: What Every University Student Needs to Know and Leading Academic Discussions: What Every University Student Needs to Know . 

“In her extensive teaching career, Robyn Brinks Lockwood has successfully worked with hundreds of university students to show them the important steps they need in order to make great presentations in their academic careers. In her new book Making Academic Presentations: What Every Student Needs to Know , you also learn from the excellent ideas in this book.” - Keith S. Folse, Professor Emeritus, University of Central Florida

“In Making Academic Presentations , Robyn Brinks Lockwood brings her expertise as a teacher, presenter, and researcher/scholar to the topic of academic presentations. Rather than focusing on types of presentations as these might change from semester to semester and from teacher to teacher, Lockwood focuses on the steps (moves) to crafting presentations regardless of the topic. An added benefit: examples of language that students might use, which is helpful to all but especially useful for English learners. These benefits for teachers and students alike, as well as Lockwood’s ability to merge clarity and brevity, makes Making Academic Presentations a valuable contribution to our field.” - Deborah Crusan, Wright State University

“ Making Academic Presentations by Robyn Brinks Lockwood is an outstanding resource for teaching and learning oral presentation skills. Instructors and students will find this to be an engaging, carefully structured, comprehensive, and user-friendly guide to strategies and activities that enhance and reinforce student learning.” - Seth A. Streichler, Advanced Lecturer, English for Foreign Students, Stanford Language Center, Stanford University

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How to Give a Killer Presentation

• Chris Anderson

For more than 30 years, the TED conference series has presented enlightening talks that people enjoy watching. In this article, Anderson, TED’s curator, shares five keys to great presentations:

• Frame your story (figure out where to start and where to end).
• Plan your delivery (decide whether to memorize your speech word for word or develop bullet points and then rehearse it—over and over).
• Work on stage presence (but remember that your story matters more than how you stand or whether you’re visibly nervous).
• Plan the multimedia (whatever you do, don’t read from PowerPoint slides).
• Put it together (play to your strengths and be authentic).

According to Anderson, presentations rise or fall on the quality of the idea, the narrative, and the passion of the speaker. It’s about substance—not style. In fact, it’s fairly easy to “coach out” the problems in a talk, but there’s no way to “coach in” the basic story—the presenter has to have the raw material. So if your thinking is not there yet, he advises, decline that invitation to speak. Instead, keep working until you have an idea that’s worth sharing.

Lessons from TED

A little more than a year ago, on a trip to Nairobi, Kenya, some colleagues and I met a 12-year-old Masai boy named Richard Turere, who told us a fascinating story. His family raises livestock on the edge of a vast national park, and one of the biggest challenges is protecting the animals from lions—especially at night. Richard had noticed that placing lamps in a field didn’t deter lion attacks, but when he walked the field with a torch, the lions stayed away. From a young age, he’d been interested in electronics, teaching himself by, for example, taking apart his parents’ radio. He used that experience to devise a system of lights that would turn on and off in sequence—using solar panels, a car battery, and a motorcycle indicator box—and thereby create a sense of movement that he hoped would scare off the lions. He installed the lights, and the lions stopped attacking. Soon villages elsewhere in Kenya began installing Richard’s “lion lights.”

• CA Chris Anderson is the curator of TED.

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Make it Count

How to give a great academic presentation.

Read a summary or generate practice questions using the INOMICS AI tool

Whether you’re a graduate student giving a presentation for a course or a researcher presenting at a conference, being able to give an engaging and well-prepared presentation is a valuable skill for anyone in academia – in COVID times it is invaluable . Today, hardly a talk is given without an accompanying PowerPoint presentation full of flashy graphs, images, exploding sub-titles, and often far too many bullet points.

In this post, we will offer you specific tips on how to hone your presentation and sharpen your speech in order to give an interesting, memorable and overall successful academic presentation. Building on past blog articles including  Dress Code for Academic Conferences  and  How to Write a Cover Letter , this post will offer you advice that can be applied across a range of situations that you will face time and again throughout your career. So, without further ado.

1. Tailor your talk to your audience

Although you never want to underestimate the intelligence and experience of your audience, you also need to be aware of the specific crowd to which you are speaking. If you are at a highly technical conference for researchers in your subfield, going into great detail and skipping over any basic background research would be a good idea. If you are attending an interdisciplinary seminar the following month, however, simply adapting the same presentation is not a good idea.

Take the time to make sure your presentation reflects the education level, interests and general make-up of your audience, and your talk will necessarily have a better reception.

2. Keep text to a minimum

The idea of a visual aid is that it should accompany your presentation, not replace it. Thus, your slides should offer complementary information, rather than forcing your audience to try to simultaneously read and listen to you talk.

Always use a font that is easy to read and keep the size large enough so that even those at the back of the room or lecture hall can see every word. However, images and graphs are always better than words – a simple slide accompanied by a great verbal description is your best option. Check out more tips for designing a persuasive presentation .

3. Practice, practice, practice

Even if you feel completely confident in your presentation skills, it’s always a good idea to rehearse in order to give the best talk possible. Through practice you become more comfortable each element of your presentation and are less likely to forget small but important things such as an introduction of who you are and where you work or study.

By practicing you can make sure that your slides are organized in such a way as to create a good flow for your points, you become more comfortable with all of the transition points and you have the chance to make any necessary changes before you find yourself on stage.

4. Harness your nerves

Even if you’ve practiced like crazy, it’s normal to still feel nervous. If you make the conscious choice to channel that nervous energy into enthusiasm, you can actually boost your own performance and simultaneously build confidence. Taking long pauses and deep breaths are fine practices, and if done in a controlled manner they can add emphasis to specific points within your talk while also calming you down.

5. Respect your time limit

It is natural to get caught up in your talk and forget to keep track of time. A presentation that drags on forever invariably loses favor with the audience, however, so it’s important to keep to the schedule. Setting a watch or clock on the podium is one way to give yourself a physical reminder of the time without being too obvious about it.

Another option is to ask a friend or colleague to give you a reminder when you’ve hit the halfway point or when you only have five minutes remaining of your allotted time. If you choose to use a reminder, remember not to speed up or rush even if you feel like you’re running out of time and still have lots to say. Prepare for this scenario ahead of time and choose which slides you could skip if need be. Regardless of whether you’ve had to skip certain sections, always have a strong conclusion planned. People tend to remember the beginning and end of events the best, so going out strong is important. Finally, always thank your audience and your host before leaving the stage.

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How to make a great presentation

Stressed about an upcoming presentation? These talks are full of helpful tips on how to get up in front of an audience and make a lasting impression.

The secret structure of great talks

The beauty of data visualization

TED's secret to great public speaking

How to speak so that people want to listen

How great leaders inspire action

How To Make Your Academic Presentations More Engaging

• Post author By Kay Woot
• Post date August 10, 2022
• No Comments on How To Make Your Academic Presentations More Engaging

Are you tired of making dry, boring academic presentations? Do your audiences seem to lose interest halfway through your talk? If so, it might be time to try some new strategies to make your presentations more engaging. In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to make your presentations more interesting and engaging for your listeners. Keep reading to learn more!

Table of contents

How to make your academic presentations more engaging

1. Start with a bang

The first few minutes of your presentation are crucial in setting the tone and grabbing your audience’s attention. So make sure you start strong! An engaging opening anecdote, an interesting statistic or a thought-provoking question are all great ways to get your audience’s attention from the get-go.

2. Keep it relevant

Your audience wants to know why your presentation is relevant to them. So make sure you explain early on in your talk how your research relates to their interests, work or lives. By doing this, you’ll ensure that your audience stays engaged throughout your talk.

3. Make it visual

People are more likely to remember information if it is presented visually. So incorporating images, diagrams and charts into your presentation can be a great way to engage your audience and help them to understand and remember your key points.

4. Use stories

Stories are a powerful way to engage an audience. If you can weave a personal story or case study into your presentation, you’ll not only engage your audience but also make your points more memorable.

5. Keep it simple

Don’t try to pack too much information into your presentation. Instead, focus on delivering a few key messages that you want your audience to remember. By keeping your presentation concise and to-the-point, you’ll engage your audience more effectively.

6. Leave time for questions

Make sure you leave plenty of time at the end of your presentation for questions from your audience. This not only shows that you’re open to feedback and discussion, but also gives your audience a chance to further engage with your research.

Ways to make your speeches or papers more interesting for your audience

1. Use strong language:

Use powerful words and phrases to convey your message clearly and effectively. Avoid using filler words or platitudes that will make your audience tune out.

2. Be engaging:

Make sure to keep your audience engaged by making eye contact, using facial expressions, and speaking with enthusiasm. You want people to be interested in what you’re saying, so it’s important to appear engaged yourself.

3. Use examples:

Providing concrete examples will help your audience to understand your points more clearly. Whether you’re using real-life examples or hypothetical ones, make sure they’re relatable and easy to follow.

4. Be concise:

Don’t try to cram too much information into your speech or paper. Be clear and concise in your delivery, and focus on the most important points that you want to get across.

5. End with a bang:

Just as you start your presentation with an attention-grabbing opening, you’ll want to finish strong as well. Leave your audience with something memorable, whether it’s a thought-provoking question or a powerful call to action.

Tips for delivering an engaging and effective presentation

1. Start with a strong opening.

Your opening should grab your audience’s attention and give them a sense of what your presentation will be about. A good way to do this is to start with a story, joke, or interesting statistic.

2. Make sure your slide deck is visually appealing.

Your slides should be clear, concise, and easy on the eyes. Avoid using too much text or putting too much information on each slide.

3. Use PowerPoint (or another presentation software) wisely.

PowerPoint (or another presentation software) can be a great way to add visual interest to your presentation and help you deliver your message more effectively. However, it’s important to use PowerPoint wisely. Overusing animation and transitions can be distracting, and using too many slides can make your presentation seem like a sales pitch.

4. Practice, practice, practice.

One of the best ways to ensure that your presentation is engaging and effective is to practice it several times before you deliver it. This will help you become more comfortable with your material and help you make any necessary adjustments.

5. Be prepared for questions.

Questions from the audience can be a great way to engage them in your presentation. However, they can also be scary if you’re not prepared for them. It’s important to anticipate questions that your audience may have and to have answers prepared.

The importance of eye contact and body language in presentations

Some people may think that the most important thing when giving a presentation is the verbal content. However, research has shown that nonverbal cues, such as eye contact and body language, are actually more important in conveying your message.

Eye contact is essential in making sure that your audience is engaged with what you’re saying. It helps to create a connection and builds trust. Additionally, it allows you to gauge the reactions of your audience and make any necessary adjustments to your presentation.

Your body language is also important in making sure that your presentation is effective. Make sure that you use open and confident body language. This will help to make your audience feel more comfortable and will make it more likely that they will pay attention to what you’re saying.

How to use humor effectively in academic presentations

Some academics believe that humor should never be used in presentations, while others believe that it can be useful in certain situations. However, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question – it depends on the audience, the topic, and the presenter’s personal style.

If you do decide to use humor in your presentation, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that your jokes are appropriate for the audience. If you’re presenting to a group of scholars, avoid using toilet humor or crude jokes. Second, don’t use humor as a crutch – if your presentation is weak, adding a few jokes won’t make it better. Finally, be aware of your own personal style – some people are naturally funny, while others are not. If you’re not sure whether you can pull off a joke, it’s probably best to avoid it.

Overcoming stage fright when giving academic presentations

Firstly, it is important to understand what is causing your stage fright. Once you know what is triggering your anxiety, you can start to address it. Common causes of stage fright include worries about the content of your presentation, fears of public speaking, and nervousness about being judged by your peers. Once you know what is causing your stage fright, you can begin to work on overcoming it.

The role of audience interaction in making academic presentations more engaging

Academic presentations can often be seen as dry and dull, with little interaction between the presenter and the audience. However, research has shown that incorporating audience interaction into your presentation can make it more engaging and interesting for both the presenter and the audience.

There are a few different ways that you can incorporate audience interaction into your presentation. One way is to ask the audience questions throughout the presentation and then encourage them to discuss the answers amongst themselves. This not only gets the audience more involved in the presentation, but it also allows you to gauge their understanding of the material.

Another way to incorporate audience interaction is to use group work or activities during your presentation. This can be something as simple as having the audience brainstorm solutions to a problem or discuss a controversial topic. By involving the audience in these activities, you will again get them more engaged with the presentation and ensure that they are taking something away from it.

Making use of technology to enhance engagement in academic presentations

Academic presentations can often be quite dry and boring, especially if they are simply a lecture format. However, by making use of technology, you can easily engage your audience and make your presentation more interactive.

There are a few different ways that you can use technology to engage your audience. One way is to use PowerPoint or another presentation software to create slides that are interactive. For example, you can insert questions into your slides and ask your audience to answer them. You can also use PowerPoint or another presentation software to create polls and surveys that your audience can participate in.

Another way to engage your audience is to use social media. You can live tweet during your presentation or post updates to Facebook or another social media platform. You can also use social media to ask your audience questions or get their feedback on your presentation.

Finally, you can use technology to create an interactive experience for your audience by using virtual reality or augmented reality.

Considerations for designing engaging and visually appealing PowerPoint slides

1. Use high-quality images

When selecting images for your PowerPoint slides, it’s important to choose ones that are high quality and visually appealing. Blurry or low-resolution images will make your slides look unprofessional, so be sure to use images that are crisp and clear. Additionally, try to use images that are relevant to the topic of your presentation.

2. Use slide templates

One way to make sure your PowerPoint slides look professional is to use slide templates. There are many different templates available online, or you can create your own. Using a template will help ensure that your slides have a consistent look and feel.

3. Limit the text on each slide

If you have too much text on a slide, it can be overwhelming for your audience. Try to limit the amount of text on each slide, and use bullet points instead of long paragraphs. Additionally, make sure the font size is large enough to be easily readable.

4. Use colors wisely

When choosing colors for your PowerPoint slides, it’s important to use them wisely. Using too many colors can be distracting, so try to limit yourself to two or three colors. Additionally, make sure the colors you use are easy to read and not too bright.

5. Use animations and transitions sparingly

Animations and transitions can be a great way to add interest to your PowerPoint slides. However, it’s important to use them sparingly. Too many animations and transitions can be distracting and make your presentation seem cluttered.

6. Proofread your slides

Before you finalize your PowerPoint slides, be sure to proofread them for any typos or grammatical errors. Nothing will make your presentation look more unprofessional than errors in your slides.

Best practices for structuring and delivering an engaging academic presentation

– Start with a strong introduction that will grab the attention of your audience and give them an overview of what you will be talking about.

– Organize your presentation in a logical way, using signposting to help guide your audience through your argument.

– Use a variety of delivery methods throughout your presentation, such as slides, video, or interactive activities, to keep things interesting.

– Make sure to practice your presentation beforehand so that you are familiar with the material and can delivery it confidently.

Have you tried any of these tips to make your academic presentations more engaging? What worked well for you? Let us know in the comments below.

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Academic presentations: Structure

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“A solid structure is the foundation of a coherent presentation, and shows the relationship between the parts and whole.” Nancy Duarte,  Resonate

A presentation that has a strong, clear structure is a presentation that is easy to follow. Without structure, a presentation can be confusing to an audience. How do they know if you are going to cover what they need to know? How can they tell which slides contain the most important points? This page considers some ways that you can organise your slides to give shape to your presentation as a whole.

Basic presentation structure

Every presentation should flow like a good story. It should involve  the audience directly.

• The  beginning  section is where you hook them. Start with the general picture then explain the specific problem and how by listening to your presentation you can solve it for them.
• The  middle  section should contain the main detail of your presentation, and can be organised in a number of ways (two good ones are explained below).
• Finally your  end  section should summarise the presentation and lead the audience to the next step.

Design your slides so that these sections  look distinctive  and any  key points  stand out.

Beginning section

This section is all about drawing the audience in; giving them a reason to want to listen to the main part of your presentation.

You can include any or all of the following:

• A really well designed title slide that grabs the attention
• A slide that gives the audience the big picture
• A slide that shows what you will be focusing on
• A slide that uses the word 'you' or 'your' in the title to connect with the audience
• A slide that tells the audience what is to come in your presentation (its structure)

After your title slide, you need slides covering these areas

Middle section structure option 1 - key points

Several authors suggest using a structure that involves an introduction followed by a middle section containing key point slides (usually 3).

The ideas is that there is a  hierarchy  of slides so that after each key point you have other slides that explain or add detail to that key point.

Cliff Atkinson (writer of the book  Beyond Bullet Points ) suggested using a table in MSWord (similar to the one in the template that is available to download at the bottom of this page) to help you structure and plan your presentation before you even open PowerPoint. This means you can concentrate on your story before getting distracted by design and content issues. We have copy of the book in our library: Beyond Bullet Points:  Beyond Bullet Points .

Middle section option 2 - sparkline

For her book  Resonate  Nancy Duarte looked in detail at the structure of successful presentations throughout history (even back to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address). She discovered that many have the same structural form which she calls a 'sparkline'.

This structure makes a clear distinction between  what is  (the position before the presentation is seen and acted upon) and  what could be  (the position after the presentation is seen and acted upon). The audience is introduced to the what is  state at the beginning of the presentation and then switched back and forth between  what could be  and  what is  several times before ending in the  what could be  condition, which she calls  Reward:New Bliss .

Nancy explains this better here:  Sparkline Overview .

In terms of academic work the  what is  is the current level of knowledge or previous thinking on a subject and the  what could be  is the new knowledge or new thinking. The  new bliss  is what the audience could do or learn next now that they are aware of the change. 

End section

The end of your presentation is a very powerful part because it contains your final words, the ones that the audience will take away with them. After you have finished your middle section, have at least one slide that summarises your main points  and one slide that leaves the audience with  the most important point  of your presentation - the one you would like them to remember even if they forget everything else.

Include slides that show these in your end section

DO NOT  finish with a slide that says  Any Questions?  or  Thanks for Listening  as this a waste of your final slide and does not need a visual image to help the audience understand your words. This slide could potentially be viewed longer than any other slide (whilst you answer your questions or receive feedback) and so you want to make sure it contains something that is important to both you and the audience.

These slides are a waste of your last slide - use the final slide for your most important point not a throwaway.

Template for structuring an academic presentation

This MSWord document is a template for structuring a typical academic presentation, it can be adapted and changed if necessary depending on how long the presentation you need to give is. Try to fill it in using full sentences as these will become your slide titles .

The blue sections are optional. The NEED and TASK sections are most suited to research presentations.

This is designed for a presentation between 20-30 minutes long. Shorter presentations will have no explanatory points and longer presentations will need more explanatory points.

This is adapted from Cliff Atkinson's Beyond Bullet Points template. See the link to the book above.

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Making Academic Presentations: What Every University Student Needs to Know Kindle Edition

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• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CL6JLJ1Q
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Michigan Press ELT (November 6, 2023)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 6, 2023
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15 Best Tools for Creating Academic Posters and Presentations

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Want to make your academic posters stand out? Learn from our Best Tools for Creating Academic Posters and Presentations and make a difference!

In academia, presenting information clearly and professionally is paramount. With dense data and intricate research findings, the challenge is representing it all in a compelling manner. Fortunately, there’s an array of tools designed to meet this specific need.

Table of Contents

These tools, some popular and others less known, offer specialized benefits tailored to academia. They’re equipped to handle everything from data-driven slides to professional graphics. Let’s dive into the specifics of each.

Best Tools for Creating Academic Posters and Presentations

#1. microsoft powerpoint: best for slide-based presentations.

• Trusted name in presentations.
• Wide array of templates.
• Intuitive interface.

Microsoft PowerPoint, a staple in presentation software, offers a user-friendly platform tailored for slide-based showcases. Renowned in academia, its vast template library and integration capabilities support even the most complex subjects.

• Versatility: Adapts to any academic subject.
• Integration: Seamless compatibility with other Microsoft products.
• Customization: Allows for personalized design and animations.

PowerPoint stands as an enduring favorite in academia. Its familiarity combined with extensive functionalities make it indispensable for slide-based presentations.

How much does it cost?

• $6.99/month

Source: https://www.microsoft.com

#2. Adobe Creative Suite: Best for professional graphics and design

• Comprehensive design toolkit.
• Professional-grade tools.
• Industry standard for graphic design.

Adobe Creative Suite encompasses an array of tools dedicated to graphic design, video editing, and more. For the academia professional aiming for a polished, top-tier visual presentation, this suite is the gold standard.

• High Quality: Delivers professional-grade visuals.
• Wide Spectrum: Includes tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Integration: Multiple tools work cohesively.

Adobe’s suite remains unmatched for scholars demanding perfection. Its breadth of tools ensures every graphic need is met with precision.

• $29.99/month

Source: https://www.adobe.com

#3. CorelDRAW: Best for vector graphics

• Robust vector design capabilities.
• Superior typography tools.

CorelDRAW is the go-to for vector graphics, allowing for sharp, scalable designs. Especially beneficial in academia where precision matters, its features ensure every line and curve is immaculate.

• Precision: Offers pixel-perfect designs.
• Compatibility: Supports a myriad of file formats.
• Customization: Tailor designs with extensive tools.

For scholars seeking flawless vector graphics, CorelDRAW offers unmatched clarity and adaptability, ensuring every visual is at its best.

Source: https://www.coreldraw.com

#4. Canva: Best for template-based poster design

• Wide variety of templates.
• User-friendly design.
• Cloud-based accessibility.

Canva revolutionizes design with its myriad of templates and drag-and-drop interface. For those in academia without a design background, it’s a beacon, making professional designs attainable for all.

• Simplicity: Easily create designs without prior knowledge.
• Variety: Thousands of templates to choose from.
• Collaboration: Multiple users can work on a single project.

Canva is a blessing for educators and students alike, bridging the gap between professional design and accessibility.

• $14.99/month

Source: https://www.canva.com

#5. PosterMyWall: Best for customizable poster templates

• Rich collection of templates
• Simple to use customization tools
• Variety of multimedia options

Dive straight into the world of creative academia with PosterMyWall. It’s like a playground where your ideas get the vibrant, visual representation they deserve. 

Bursting with customizable templates, it’s where creativity meets simplicity, a haven for budding scholars to seasoned researchers alike.

• Ease of Use: Maneuver effortlessly through your creative process.
• Diversity: A plethora of templates catering to varied tastes and themes.
• Affordability: Offers cost-effective solutions for stunning visuals.

With PosterMyWall, you’re not just creating a poster, you’re crafting a narrative, giving a soul to your scholarly works. It’s a realm where the academic world meets artistic finesse, making your journey from concept to creation a delightful experience.

• $8.33/month

Source: https://www.postermywall.com

#6. Lucidchart: Best for charts and diagrams

• Intuitive chart creation
• Collaborative features
• Wide array of diagramming options

Lucidchart is like the friendly neighbor who helps you untangle the Christmas lights – it makes the complicated, simple. 

In the labyrinthine world of charts and diagrams, it holds your hand, guiding you to create visuals that speak volumes, making it a trusted companion in academia.

• Visual Clarity: Helps convey complex data effortlessly.
• Collaboration: Invites seamless teamwork in diagram creation.
• Integration: Works smoothly with varied presentation and documentation tools.

In the grand scheme of academia, Lucidchart stands as a beacon of simplicity and clarity. It whispers, “Let’s make this easy and beautiful,” and truly delivers on that promise, making every academic venture a story told in the language of diagrams.

• $7.95/month

Source: https://www.lucidchart.com

#7. Prezi: Best for non-linear presentations

• Dynamic presentation format
• Engaging visual transitions
• Flexible storytelling structure

Imagine breaking free from the confines of linear presentations; that’s the liberation Prezi offers. It lets your academic narratives unfold organically, darting from one idea to another with a fluid grace, like a seasoned orator who knows the art of engaging storytelling.

• Engagement: Captivates the audience with dynamic flows.
• Flexibility: Allows for a non-traditional, interconnected presentation style.
• Creativity: Invites users to build a visually rich narrative landscape.

Stepping into the world of Prezi is like embracing a vibrant tapestry of ideas, woven with threads of creativity and innovation. 

It’s not just a presentation tool, it’s a stage where academia gets to dance in the spotlight, mesmerizing, engaging, and leaving a lasting impact.

Source: https://prezi.com

#8. Visme: Best for data-driven presentations

• Visual storytelling meets data.
• Diverse design elements.
• Infographic magic.

Ever felt data could dance? With Visme, it does. Visme believes that numbers have a story to tell, and they shouldn’t be just cold, hard facts. Whether you’re weaving tales from extensive research or just showcasing your class project, Visme is your storytelling guru.

• Expressive Charts: Data leaps off the slide.
• Adaptable Themes: Fits your every mood and topic.
• Interactive Content: Engage, don’t just inform.

In Visme, academia finds its groove, blending serious data with spirited design. The result? Presentations that don’t just talk but sing, making every lecture or seminar a performance worth a standing ovation.

Source: https://www.visme.co

#9. Google Slides: Best for collaborative presentations

• Work with friends, from anywhere.
• Easily accessible.
• Integrates with your Google world.

Ever dreamt of making a presentation in your pajamas, coffee in hand, collaborating with a mate halfway across the world? Google Slides turns that dream into reality. It’s the comfy couch of the academic world – reliable, accommodating, and always there for last-minute edits!

• Real-time Edits: Teamwork made seamless.
• Accessible Everywhere: On your couch or at the cafe, it’s there.
• Simplified Sharing: A click away from the classroom or conference.

With Google Slides, it’s not just about the end presentation but the journey there. The late-night edits, the collaborative brainstorms, the “Oh, I’ve got a brilliant idea” moments; all come alive, making academia a shared adventure.

Source: https://www.google.com

#10. Glogster: Best for multimedia posters

• Interactive multimedia delight.
• Seamless blending of text, images, and videos.
• Creative freedom unleashed.

Think of Glogster as that art kit you adored as a kid, bursting with colors and possibilities. It’s where academia shakes hands with creativity, and they decide to throw a party. With Glogster, your research isn’t just stated; it’s celebrated with multimedia confetti.

• Dynamic Content: Who said posters are static?
• Easy Integration: Drag, drop, dazzle.
• Student-friendly: Makes assignments fun.

In the ever-evolving corridors of learning, Glogster is the cool kid everyone wants to hang out with. It turns mundane assignments into dynamic projects, ensuring every academic venture feels like a creative festival.

• From $29.99

Source: https://blogs.umass.edu

#11. Venngage: Best for infographic-style posters

• Information turned art.
• Streamlined design tools.
• Mesmerizing templates.

Picture your dense academic data donning a superhero cape; that’s Venngage for you. It empowers your information, giving it a vibrant persona. It’s like turning your research into a comic book, where every fact is a hero, and every insight, a plot twist.

• Storytelling Layouts: Info has never been this fun.
• Diverse Library: Find the perfect fit for your narrative.
• Print-ready: From screen to seminar hall, seamlessly.

With Venngage, it’s about giving voice to the silent facts, letting them shout from the rooftops. It redefines academic presentations, ensuring every statistic and every fact gets its moment in the sun.

• From $10/month

Source: https://venngage.com

#12. Piktochart: Best for infographic presentations

• Visual storytelling paradise.
• Mix and match design elements.
• Infographics that speak louder than words.

Piktochart is where your data gets the wardrobe makeover it deserves. Ditching the mundane, Piktochart dresses up your research in snazzy infographics that are both gorgeous to gaze at and easy to digest. It’s like a fun day out for your stats and facts, transforming them into visual divas.

• User-Friendly: You don’t need a design degree, promise!
• Template Variety: From corporate chic to classroom cool.
• Interactivity: Because passive is passé.

Using Piktochart is like giving your audience 3D glasses for a 2D movie. It takes your presentations to another dimension, offering depth, clarity, and a sprinkle of razzle-dazzle. No more sleepy nods; with Piktochart, it’s all engaged nods of appreciation.

Source: https://piktochart.com

#13. Marq: Best for drag-and-drop design

• Design made child’s play.
• Creativity at your fingertips.
• Dive in without drowning in complexities.

Remember playing with building blocks as a kid? Marq is the digital version of that for your academic designs. It’s where simplicity meets sophistication, allowing you to assemble a stunner of a presentation without breaking a sweat or a mental cog.

• Time-Saver: Quick, intuitive, no fuss.
• Customizable: Your vision, Marq’s tools.
• Consistent Output: Beauty without the blunders.

With Marq, academic design isn’t a daunting mountain; it’s a friendly park hill you’re eager to climb. At the summit? A presentation that not just impresses, but truly expresses. It’s all about the joy of creating without the usual chaos.

Source: https://www.marq.com

#14. Affinity Designer: Best for precision design

• Design precision at its best.
• Power-packed toolset.
• Pixel-perfect results.

Think of Affinity Designer as the Swiss Army knife of design for the discerning academic. Whether you’re carving intricate illustrations or just chiseling out simple designs, Affinity Designer’s got the tool, the talent, and the tenacity to deliver.

• High-Resolution Output: Blurred lines? Not here!
• Adaptable Workspace: Tweaked to your style and pace.
• Varied Formats: Supports all your academic publishing needs.

In the realm of academic design, Affinity Designer is like the maestro conducting a symphony, ensuring each note, each nuance, is pitch-perfect. With it, you’re not just presenting; you’re performing an opus of clarity and creativity.

Source: https://affinity.serif.com

#15. Genially: Best for interactive multimedia presentations

• Multimedia bonanza.
• Engage, entertain, educate.
• Tools that tickle creativity.

Why just tell when you can show, play, and interact? That’s the mantra Genially brings to the table. It’s the carnival in the often-serious town of academia, where learning becomes a lively, interactive fest rather than a lecture monologue.

• Gamified Learning: Who said academia can’t be fun?
• Rich Media Options: Videos, gifs, polls—you name it!
• Responsive Design: Looks good on any device, any screen.

If academia were a theater, Genially would be the all-in-one performer—dancing, singing, and engaging the audience. It invites viewers to be part of the act, ensuring learning isn’t just a spectator sport. With Genially, every presentation is a standing ovation candidate!

• From $0/month

Source: https://genial.ly

Creating standout academic posters isn’t just about the data—it’s an art form. Dive into software programs like Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign, and witness the transformation of your research data. 

Utilizing the right poster template and blending high-resolution images with intricate page layouts makes crafting beautiful research posters feel like a walk in the park.

Beyond mere desktop publishing, these design software tools empower you to create posters that transcend tradition. Remember, every research poster is an opportunity to not just inform, but to inspire.

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Making Academic Presentations What Every University Student Needs to Know

About this book

The ability to give a successful presentation in an academic setting is critical to success both on and off campus. Making Academic Presentations describes the five moves, or parts, of a typical presentation and provides examples of language that can be used to successfully accomplish these moves. Although language is vital to giving a good presentation, the book also addresses other factors that influence the success of a presentation, such as overcoming nervousness, nonverbal communication, and pronunciation and paralinguistics. The book includes a variety of tasks that will help students practice developing and analyzing presentations as well as practice projects for applying these lessons. In addition, rubrics and evaluation forms are included for instructors to adapt and use for evaluation purposes.

Introduction 1.    What is a Presentation? Audience Purpose 2.    Presentation Moves     Move 1: Starting the Presentation (the Introduction)     Move 2: Flowing Through the Presentation (the Body)     Move 3: Using Visual Aids     Move 4: Concluding the Presentation (the Conclusion)     Move 5: Managing the Q & A 3.    Other Considerations Overcoming Nervousness Non-Verbal Communication Pronunciation and Paralinguistics 4.    Presentation Projects Appendix 1: Rubrics and Evaluation Forms and Ideas Extra Reading

Customer Reviews

Robyn Brinks Lockwood is a Lecturer at Stanford University. Her other books include Office Hours: What Every University Student Needs to Know and Leading Academic Discussions: What Every University Student Needs to Know .

"In her extensive teaching career, Robyn Brinks Lockwood has successfully worked with hundreds of university students to show them the important steps they need in order to make great presentations in their academic careers. In her new book Making Academic Presentations: What Every Student Needs to Know , you also learn from the excellent ideas in this book." – Keith S. Folse, Professor Emeritus, University of Central Florida "In Making Academic Presentations , Robyn Brinks Lockwood brings her expertise as a teacher, presenter, and researcher/scholar to the topic of academic presentations. Rather than focusing on types of presentations as these might change from semester to semester and from teacher to teacher, Lockwood focuses on the steps (moves) to crafting presentations regardless of the topic. An added benefit: examples of language that students might use, which is helpful to all but especially useful for English learners. These benefits for teachers and students alike, as well as Lockwood's ability to merge clarity and brevity, makes Making Academic Presentations a valuable contribution to our field." – Deborah Crusan, Wright State University " Making Academic Presentations by Robyn Brinks Lockwood is an outstanding resource for teaching and learning oral presentation skills. Instructors and students will find this to be an engaging, carefully structured, comprehensive, and user-friendly guide to strategies and activities that enhance and reinforce student learning." – Seth A. Streichler, Advanced Lecturer, English for Foreign Students, Stanford Language Center, Stanford University

The Academic Medicine Handbook pp 301–305 Cite as

How to Prepare and Give a Scholarly Oral Presentation

• Cheryl Gore-Felton Ph.D. 2  
• First Online: 01 January 2013

3287 Accesses

An important function of being an academic faculty member is building an academic reputation, and one of the best ways to build a reputation is by giving scholarly presentations, particularly those that are oral. Earning the reputation of someone who can give an excellent talk often results in being invited to give keynote addresses at regional and national conferences, which increases a faculty member’s visibility along with his or her area of research. Given the importance of oral presentations, it is surprising that few graduate or medical programs provide courses on how to give a talk. This is unfortunate because there are skills that can be learned and strategies that can be used to improve one’s ability to give an interesting, well-received oral presentation. To that end, the aim of this chapter is to provide faculty with best practices and tips on preparing and giving an academic oral presentation.

• Oral Presentation
• Audience Member
• Academic Reputation
• Conversational Style
• Learning Style Preference

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Gore-Felton, C. (2013). How to Prepare and Give a Scholarly Oral Presentation. In: Roberts, L. (eds) The Academic Medicine Handbook. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5693-3_37

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How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

By Krystle Wong , Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!