Hello,
I have been accepted to present my paper at a conference but this is the first time I've ever done this. I've given presentations at University but I wondered if there were any hints and tips from seasoned professionals about the best way to change the essay into something that sounds natural to read or about the kinds of questions that people may ask. The paper is on comp. forensics and ethics if thats any help.
Cheers
First congratulations. Presenting to your peers, especially the first time, can be quite nerve wracking.
While it is easy to just read your paper, that will not be very engaging. Likewise creating a Power Point presentation and reading that is similarly uninspired. Your audience will quickly zone out, no matter how important the topic.
Unfortunately there is no magic method to create a good presentation. If you still have a good relationship with professors at your university that were intriguing and compelling to listen to, I would suggest reaching out to them for pointers. I know people jokingly say that those that cannot do teach (which is sometimes the case), but those that engage you when they teach are invaluable.
How much time will you be allotted? That can certainly influence what you present as well as how.
If you want to PM your contact info I would be interested in reading your paper and giving suggestions on your presentation.
Powerpoints are fine if you want to have some visuals for your presentation, and generally, you do want some visuals to help you. What makes a good presentation is the ability to go beyond what's on the PPTs and add some good stories of your own to help make the point. Try to have 2 or 3 good and relevant experiences to share and you should do well.
I am going to throw you in at the deep end, with my comments, as I am sure you will cope very well.
Always nice if the presenter starts by saying hello, SMILE, and scan the audience from right to left. You are pleased to see them (..still awake) aren't you????
The best presenters are the ones that are engaging and capture the thought processes of the audience.
1) Pacing the presentation is important - don't dawdle on one particular point too long - better still, don't dawdle
2) Timing is essential - how long have you got (45-mins?); then break up your presentation into modules or themes that either separately or combined will encapsulate the entire point of your presentation (ie what all these themes combined together mean to YOU in aggregate).
3) It is useful when theme-ing a particular point to let the audience know in advance what is the significance of the point/theme you are making eg
"Forensics needs boundaries if unlawful havoc is not to occur; having ethical practices in place can help you do that. The following are some examples from my paper which can be encapsulated in a nutshell"
"From my research the findings convinced me for the need for strong ethical controls to be enforced to keep forensics in line with legal practices and principles; let's see if you come to the same conclusions that I did.
I am sure you get my drift with these examples above
4) When presenting it does help if you don't read directly from the paper unless its a difficult quote that you wouldn't be expected to remember off the top of your head. Using bullet cards is okay - just don't spend ages looking at them, as to an audience you are looking at the floor. Look up and out into the audience and talk with them not at them. Don't engage eye to eye, unless you are asked a question, otherwise the person's face you might see s/he maybe picking their nose, which can put you off.
[TOPTIP] It is, of course, bad form for an audience member to pick their nose whilst asking you a question )
5) Important - don't wobble or shift from side to side when speaking (it makes the audience feel sea sick or they go to sleep). Walk about if you must but keep that to a minimum and only do it if it eccentuates the point to give it energy or excitement
6) Stay in close range to the mic - otherwise we the audience miss bits of your presentation, particular the ones at the back
7) Too many hand gesticulations and the audience may think you are making a protest or you have St Vitus Dance. Be calm, be comfortable, dress smart/comfortably
8 ) Don't keep saying 'errrmmmm' between words or sentences - its looks like you haven't prepared and are not sure what you are going to say or where you are going with your point - besides its errrrrmmmmmmm irritating to the listener
Hope that one of these observations may help you.
Thanks very much for all your suggestions and Trewmte thanks very much for writing such a full response.
Patrick4n6 - I have not yet started my job and I am coming straight from Uni - would non forensics anecdotes of ethical incidences be relevant or would you suggest non veering off the point?
If you don't have personal experience, try to find some case studies to which you can refer.
just to add to Trewmte's post, timing is important and especially not going over time. Out of respect to the organisers and the speakers who are due to follow you (or the delegates looking forward to their lunch), finishing on time is the profesional way of presenting. Trying to squeeze too much material into your slot is an easy mistake to make and it's not good if you end up skipping slides or glossing over material to make up time. And if your presentation is interesting (I am sure it will be) make sure there is time left for questions..
the best of luck )