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Whether you will be presenting your findings at an upcoming professional conference or are preparing a slideshow for next year's Christmas party, chances are you'll need to give an informative and engaging public presentation at some point in your career. Here are a few pointers to get you started. • Most presentations are
done on computers, so make sure you've mastered the
basics of programs like PowerPoint
and Keynote.
• Maintain a logical flow
of ideas. Start with a title slide, followed by a
summary page. Then present any necessary background
information, your data or arguments, and end with
your conclusion or proposal. Include a final slide
to thank and acknowledge everyone who's helped you
with the project.
• Keep it short and simple.
A general rule of thumb is to spend no more than
one minute on each slide. A presentation is not an
exhaustive report, and you're required to highlight
only the main points of your findings or argument.
If your audience wants to know more, they can always
ask questions at the end.
• With multimedia presentations,
choose an attractive layout and include plenty of
relevant graphics. You can even add music
and video clips to informal presentations, but be
aware that more data will increase the risk of computer
freezes and crashes. And remember the advice in Hamlet
– "More matter, with less art." Don't use pointless
flash as a substitute for information!
• Pay attention to the
details, since small errors or annoyances can make
your presentation appear less professional. Make
sure that the color of your text stands out clearly
from the background and that the font size is easily
readable from the back of the room. Check for typos
and formatting errors. Use the same layout for all
your slides to give your presentation a cohesive
look.
• Once you've put the presentation
together, remember to practice, practice, practice!
This will help you build confidence, which is a crucial
ingredient of any successful presentation! Enlist
a coworker or family member as your test audience,
and ask for feedback about your content and speaking
style.
• Be prepared! Bring a
backup disk or USB stick, laser pointer, connecting
wires, and any other equipment that you might need.
I've seen more than one talk derailed because of
minor technical problems, so arrive early to set
up and do a quick run-through. If the worst happens,
make sure that you know your presentation well enough
to improvise with a bit of chalk and a smile. (Another
reason not to use flash as a substitute for information.)
• The way you present the
information is at least as important as the content
itself. Speak clearly, make sure that you're audible
to everyone, and try to make eye contact with individual
audience members. Cracking a few jokes can be a great
way to put the audience at ease, but only do this
if it feels comfortable and natural. The most important
thing is to find a speaking style that works for
you.
• Many books and websites
offer advice on how to give effective speeches and
presentations. You can also join your local Toastmasters
club to improve your public speaking skills. Discuss This ArticleHave something you'd like to say? Tell us what you think! Read and post comments for this article. Like this article? Read more! Browse our archive of 1,548 career resources. Also, see our master index of all MedHunters articles! Find a JobChoose your career: MedHunters is the world's biggest healthcare job board. Our job directory has 16,443 jobs with 2,364 hospitals and other direct employers. We want you to find your next job on MedHunters. Need Help? Call us at 1-888-884-8242, email us at info@medhunters.com or sign up now. Have an article or story for MedHunters? Email us today at submissions@medhunters.com. |
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