In addition to making a contribution to scientific knowledge one should strive toward a presentation that is clear, concise, and understandable to everyone in the room. Giving a paper using clear visual aids and within the allotted time is the mark of professional competence and courtesy. The following guidelines are offered to assist you in preparing your presentations.

Talk to Your Audience.

You have something interesting to tell people about your project. People will be stimulated by hearing about your research and your ideas.

Talk, Don't Read.

People have come to hear you talk. Speaking and writing are so different that you will sound dull if you read from a condensed version of your project report. Prepare notes specifically for an informal address, speak naturally and avoid jargon. But don't depend on those notes, as there may not be enough light to see them. It's best to make your slides in such a way that they serve as your notes; and to know your subject well enough that you could give the talk smoothly without slides or notes.

Don't become too informal. Many speakers tend to make "cute" remarks during the presentation, often disparaging their own data and/or visual aids. Data described as "smoking hot", "first cut", etc. should neither be presented nor so described. Such actions can and do damage your reputation and offend the audience.

Stimulate the Audience.

Present your ideas with a few verbal punches to stimulate your listeners. Look at the audience and look for nods of agreement or signs of differing viewpoints. You will find that this kind of communication is more rewarding than just reading your notes.

Keep on Schedule.

Sometimes there will be multiple talks at the same time. It is a professional courtesy to your colleagues who wish to move freely between various sessions to "catch" specific papers. If one session runs off schedule this entire system breaks down. Also, those speakers following you deserve their full allotted time - it's not available for you to "borrow". Don't make your session moderator take "police action" against you - do it yourself by planning and rehearsing your presentation to fit into the allotted time, leaving a few minutes for questions.