banner
RegistrationEvent ScheduleOral PresentationPoster PresentationPerformance PresentationWorkshopsJudging and AwardsSample AbstractsDay of the EventAward RecipientsEthics in ResearchReimbursement Form

Oral Presentation

Presentation

Oral presentations are expected to be 10 minutes in length. An additional 3-5 minute discussion period will follow each presentation for the judge and audience to ask questions and comment on the presentation. Oral presentations are usually accompanied by a PowerPoint slideshow. This format allows the presenter to convey key information visually that cannot be as effectively communicated by speech alone. The time and location of presentations will be sent to the coordinating presenter well in advance of the event. Students will present from a podium or lectern and a laptop and projector will be provided. Presenters are responsible for providing their PowerPoint slideshow the day of the event by on a flash-drive or CD. All presentations will be downloaded before the block of presentations begins.

PowerPoint Instructions for UURAF

PowerPoint presentations should be brought to UURAF on a flash drive or a CD. Due to time constraints, students may not use their own computers. Accordingly, each PowerPoint presentation will need to be downloaded onto the laptop in your assigned room prior to your presentation time.

Morning presenters should report to their assigned room between 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM to download and test their presentations. Afternoon presenters should report to their assigned rooms between 12:30 PM -1:00 PM to download and test their presentations. The laptops in each room will be equipped with Microsoft Office 2003 and will have at least one flash drive port and a CD drive that plays DVDs. Speakers, a projector, and a screen will also be provided.

Getting Started on your Presentation

  1. Review and consider the requirements for UURAF oral presentations as stated above.
  2. Create an outline. Keep in mind the amount of time allotted for your presentation. In general (though not always) a ten minute presentation consists of 7-10 slides. Consider the information that you want to present to the audience. A typical presentation consists of a title slide, introduction slide or slides, a literature review slide or slides, a research methods slide or slides, and a conclusions and/or outcomes slide or slides. If appropriate, include a reference slide at the end of the presentation. This slide is not considered part of the presentation, and can be presented in smaller font.
  3. Gather the information you want to present on your slides and begin generating a rough draft.
  4. Once you have finalized the content on the slides, practice the presentation to ensure it is the appropriate length.
  5. Finalize the presentation placing emphasis on the background, images, and fonts. When choosing a background it is best to use light colors with dark text and keep it simple. Remember - you want it to look professional, and to communicate the main focus of your research.
  6. Practice! Practice! Practice!
  7. Make sure your presentation can be opened on another computer using Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 and that the appearance of your presentation has not changed!

Helpful Hints:

  • Do not cut and paste entire paragraphs
  • Use short succinct phrases
  • No more then 3 or 4 bullet points per slide
  • Use large readable font size and color
  • Consistently use an appropriate background that is not distracting to the audience
  • Have someone else look through your presentation for errors. Consider going to the writing center for tips and advice.
  • Make sure visual content (i.e., icons, pictures, videos, clipart) complements the presentation and does not cause distractions.
  • Ask your mentor to review your presentation and provide feedback.
  • Finally, practice your presentation in front of peers and ask for constructive feedback on the content, delivery, and any distracting mannerisms (i.e., rocking, pacing, using ‘um’, or ‘like’).