Structure of a 10-minute Oral Scientific Presentation, Lecture notes of Microbiology

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Structure of a 10-minute

Oral Scientific Presentation

• Title
• Background
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• Acknowledgments
• Question and answer period

Title Slide (10-15 sec)

• Title should include
  • Subject
  • Location
  • Time period
• Your name
• Your affiliation
• Appropriate logos
• Say “Good morning / afternoon / evening”

Background (1-2 min)

• Usually a few slides
• Engage audience
• Set stage for outbreak investigation
• Provide rationale for planned study
• Essential information (only) about project
• Establish relevance to health
• Include a slide describing study objectives

Methods (1-2 min)

• Usually a few slides
• Describe study design(s)
• Describe study groups and why selected
• Say what laboratory tests were used

Discussion (2-3 min)

• Interpretation of findings
  • Don’t repeat results
  • Prioritize findings from most to least important
  • Link findings to study objectives
  • Put findings into context with previous studies
• Limitations slide (only the important ones)
• Conclusions slide(s) based on your findings
• Recommendations slide(s)
  • Directions for future studies

Acknowledgments (10-15 sec)

• Recognize coauthors and contributors
• Same logos as on title slide
• Your last words = “Thank You”

Effective Slides…

• Are uncluttered, clear, visible
• Don’t distract the audience
• Use informative titles
  • “Characteristics of Study Participants”
  • “Risk Factors for Illness”
  • Not “Results 1, “Results 2”
• Use bolded, sans serif font (Arial, Tahoma)
• Have simple, high-contrast, consistent color schemes

Color-Blind “Friendly” Presentations

• Avoid red-green color combinations
• If must use red, use yellowish red (R=255 / G=82 / B=0) instead of pure red
• Avoid red characters / lines on dark background
• Make text and lines as big or thick as practical
• Use high-contrast color scheme

Effective Text Slides

• Order of slide text matches order of script
• Key words only, not complete sentences
• 8 – 10 lines maximum
• Bulleted text better than numbered items in most cases
• Parallel structure (all verbs, all nouns, etc)

Things to Avoid

• Visual clutter from too many colors
• Unbolded, serif font like Times New Roman
• ALL CAPS (HARD ON THE EYES)
• Pseudo-3D charts and graphs
• Animation (no flying objects; slide builds=OK)
• Clip art that serves no purpose
• Unnecessary grid lines in figures
• Necessary lines that are too thin
• All PowerPoint design templates

Tips on

Delivering Oral Presentations

Preparation Tips

• Use script, flesh out bullet pts into sentences
• Practice is the key to making sure it doesn’t sound scripted
• Print your script in large enough type (14-16 pt)
  • Check script size in Notes Master or Notes view
  • Print one slide and accompanying script per page
• Time your presentation
• If you used “Rehearse slide timings” feature, go to Slide Show, Set Up Show, and uncheck “Advance slides using timings if present”

Reasons Not to Use a Laser Pointer

• Have to turn away from audience to use it
• Some projection screens absorb the laser, so audience in room cannot see it
• Color-blind people can’t see it (red)
• Can become a crutch
• If your hands are shaking, pointer will show it
• Alternatives:
  • Building “pointers” into slides
  • Using computer cursor (arrow)

Question & Answer Period: Don’ts

• Don’t fumble for extra slides
• Don’t be defensive even if question hostile
• Don’t ask “Did that answer your question?”
• Don’t thank the questioner for the question
• Don’t rate the question
• Don’t back away from the podium as if poison
• Don’t hang on to podium as if life-preserver