Statistics 6590: Project Presentations

``The Three Rules of Public Speaking: Be forthright. Be brief. Be seated.'' S. Dressel and J. Chew, Authenticity Beats Eloquence, 1987.

When, Where: Mon., Dec. 2 and Wed., Dec. 4, 3:45-5pm, HH-3013.

Time for each Talk: 20 minutes.

Grading: 20% of course grade.

Order of Talks: Mon.: Karelyn, Khokan, Adebola
Order of Talks: Wed.: Liangzhuang, Mark, Brian

Suggestions

• The aim of these talks is not to have you give perfect presentations. It is to give you experience in what you will have to do as statistical consultants-presenting results clearly to an audience, especially when some of the audience members will not be familiar with statistical methods.

• GO SLOWLY!!! The temptation is to race through your material. It's better to take things slowly: speak slowly, expand a bit on what's on your slides or on the board. If you don't have time to breathe, you're going too quickly.

• 20 minutes should be enough time for you to discuss most of your important results. If you don't think you will have enough time to discuss all of your results, then choose a few of the results from your analysis, and deal with those in detail.

• Overheads: I will require that you make some use of overheads. They help a lot when presenting material, especially graphs. Handwritten ones are fine. You can obtain overheads and markers from the main office.

• For a 20 minute talk, around 10 overheads will probably be enough. That can allow a title page, 2 or 3 plots (if appropriate), tables (if appropriate), a few plots on results (don't include much, if any, actual computer output), and a concluding slide.

• Do not put more than 12 lines on an overhead. Write large.

• Point form (like I'm using here) is usually best on overheads.

• PRACTICE!!! It is essential that you practice beforehand, so you can pace yourself, and get used to hearing your own voice for 20 minutes. You could do this in front of others in the class, or to entertain your friends, or in front of a mirror in your basement :-) If you practice in the classroom, you also get to practice using the overhead projector, which is helpful.

Some other important points are on the back of the page.

In conclusion, you will do fine in your talk as long as you are prepared. It's quite natural to be nervous. But the better prepared you are, the more control you'll have over your nervousness.