Scientific Presentations

Sample of an effective powerpoint presentation given at a UCSD workshop

1. How To Give An Effective
Scientific Presentation
Kelly D. Hester, Ph.D.
UCSD-OGSR Workshop

2. Begin with an outline
Start with the big
picture.
Address the scientific
question.
Discuss how to present
the background.
Clearly state the
hypothesis.
Talk about the
methods.
Present the
experimental data.
Summarize the results
of the study.
Suggest experiments or
plans for future studies.

3. Describe the Big Picture
Build slides to proceed
from familiar topics to
more detailed
information.
Allow for everyone in
the audience to begin
on the same page.
Don’t be afraid to tell a
joke and break the ice.

4. Every scientific study begins with a question
Lead the audience to
the major question to
be addressed in the
study.
Don’t talk too fast.
Define your terms, don’t
assume the audience
understands your
acronyms.

5. Give a discussion about the background
It is not necessary to
teach “Intro to Science.”
Give an adequate
discussion without too
much detail.
Don’t read off of the
slide.
Use illustrations for the
background.

6. Every scientific inquiry is
addressed by a hypothesis
Give the rationale for the study.
Clearly state the hypothesis.
List three or four objectives.
Show how the ideas are linked.

7. Experiments demonstrate if the
hypothesis was true
Discuss methods but
don’t describe too much
detail unless it is a
novel approach.
If the experiment didn’t
work or generate data
state how the methods
were appropriate to
answer the question.

8. Effective presentation of the data is critical
Explain the data in
each figure clearly.
Oftentimes experiments
lead to more questions.
Practice a summary for
each slide before
moving to the next one.

9. Giving a well thought out
summary is essential
Re-state the main points at the end of the
presentation and show how they are related.
Suggest additional experiments that may help.
Give ideas or thoughts for further studies.

10. Making the presentation effective
Know your time limits and stay within them.
Generally speaking allow 1 minute per slide.
Practice! Practice! Practice!
Allow someone to listen to your presentation
beforehand and offer suggestions.
Keep animations to a minimum.

11. The summary is a chance to give a recap
Showing the Big
Picture.
Addressing the
Question.
Discussing the
Background.
Stating the Hypothesis.
Presenting the Data.
Summarizing the
Results.
Make a few
acknowledgements.
Thank the audience for
their attention.
Offer to address any
questions.
Don’t forget to !