HOW TO MAKE AN EFFECTIVE
PRESENTATION: THE HIDDEN
MESSAGE
Sandy Raha
Chair, Medical Sciences
Graduate Program Admissions
Dept. Pediatrics, McMaster University
April 14, 2015
Overview
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Why would you want to do a presentation?
Posters
Oral
Remind me why I would want to do a presentation:
The REAL value
Resources
DON’T LEAVE UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE
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Figures, graphs and tables always take longer than
anticipated
Carefully proof
Formatting takes time
Consider the possible printing/and reprinting issues
The Poster
Keep your poster content simple
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People generally don’t spend more than 3-5
min per poster
Don’t try to explain your entire thesis in your poster.
Use the KISS principle  keep it short and simple
Important Lesson keeping it simple is a good
research communication
Keep your poster content simple
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Pick a clear storyline or thread in your research and
discuss that and show the data that supports a
single facet of your research
Get to the focus of the poster right at the start;
clarify the impact of your work; don’t be too
detailed about the procedure
If possible use a figure to clarify complex objective
or methods
Make the poster easily “viewable”
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Don’t make your title too long or too cute. A concise
informative title is best.
Make sure your poster is easy to read
 Consistent
font and size
 Font size is large enough to read from 1-2 metres away
 Bars and axis on graphs are consistently labelled
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Be cautious of “over-using” colour. Avoid using a
dark background (personal preference)
An example of a bad poster
 Text boxes are different
sizes
 Background is distracting
 Insufficient white space
 Logos are distracting and
waste valuable space
 Colour scheme is not
inherently logical or
effective
 Abstract section uses up too
much space
 Title with perspective makes
it difficult to read
(http://colinpurrington.com/tag/poster-fail/)
Examples of Layouts: Effective or Not?
Looks cluttered but the colours here
contribute to effect visual organization
Conventional vertical style for a
scientific poster
Examples of Layouts: Effective or
Not?
 Different styles: Flow of
information
• If it is important that the panels
be read in sequence, this style is
not the best
Utilize the full potential of a poster
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Have a 2-3 min talk regarding your poster
prepared
Make sure the flow and clarity of the poster is such
that it can be understood even if you are not
explaining
Utilize the networking opportunities in a poster 
ask for suggestions to improve your work; exchange
contact information (Business cards etc….)
Benefits of the poster presentation
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(McNutt, M. 2015. Science 347: 1047)
Less stressful than an oral
presentation so you can focus on
the discussion
Will teach you how to customize
the delivery of your research to
each person that visits your
poster
Balance the aesthetics of the
poster with clear and concise
story…Learn how to advertise
your research
The Oral Presentation
Oral Presentations: Preparation
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Understand your audience
Develop your story, make sure you have a clear
understanding of the strengths and weakness of
your data
Think about how you want to lead your audience;
set them up for questions
Be clear about the implications or significance of
your data
Oral Presentation: Content
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Evaluate based on available time
General rule: approximately 1 slide per min
If using bullet points-no more that 4-5 points per
slide
Make sure your slides follow logically and don’t
insert random data
Provide clear definition for technical terms;
remember not everyone in your audience may be
an expert
Aesthetics of the slide
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Ensure font size is easily visible
Ensure graphs and table are clearly visible,
especially if cutting and pasting for other sources
Be careful about using colour schemes that may hurt
the eyes
White or yellow on red looks clear, but
Fluorescent backgrounds can be
30 red background slides may be hard
challenging
to take
Aesthetics continued
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Keep a consistent look through out the presentation
Use short clear conclusive statements in your bullet
points
Use clear concise graphs and tables. Don’t include a
excess information in the graphic that will not be
discussed.
Make the title, the conclusion. This clarifies the
graphic immediately
Use white space effectively – don’t crowd the
graphics
Animation
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One of the strengths of using slides, but needs to be
utilized effectively.
Don’t overuse or use frivolously
Presentations: The Hidden Value
Untangle your own research
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Place your research in context and simplify in
the presentation
Graphically express your hypothesis  leads
to greater understanding and retention
 Develop a story that has a impact factor
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Get feedback on your research
Solicit suggestions on your research, especially
in a friendly environment
 Take the time to reflect on suggestions and
critically evaluate each one
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Develop confidence in your research
More presentations lead to a greater
appreciation for your work and improve the
ability to “sell” your story and yourself
 Develop a story that has a impact factor
 Forces you to think about next steps…common
question
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McMaster resources
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The school of graduates has developed a youtube
video outlining the preparation of a poster:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMnQhMj55MA&fe
ature=youtu.be (you can find by googling usra poster
pointers mcmaster)
For oral presentation, look up presentations of a 3 min
thesis. Significant shorter but provide critical elements
of audience
engagementhttp://graduate.mcmaster.ca/graduatestudents/graduate-student-life/professional/3mt/3mtparticipant-resources.html#3mt-presentations-bymcmaster-faculty.
Resources for preparing presentations
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Poster layouts: http://colinpurrington.com/tips/posterdesign (google Designing conference posters)
For general poster construction advice: S.M. Block. Do’s
and Don’ts of Poster Presentation. Biophysical Journal
71; 3527-3529 (1996)
Source: The Craft of Scientific Presentations, Michael
Alley (See also
http://www.writing.eng.vt.edu/posters.html)
The do’s and don’ts of public speaking:
http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/~dfinley/speaking.html
“If the speaker sends a message that the receiver
does not understand – then who needs to change?”
“Presentation ability is not a talent – it is a skill.”