How to Present

Design good slides

1. Use short bullet points (2–8 words) instead of paragraphs or full sentences
2. Annotate pictures with appropriate labels ahead of time
3. Present complex ideas step by step (you can overwhelm the audience with details :), but not at once)
4. Start with a clear agenda or outline slide
5. Choose colors with readability and accessibility in mind
6. Maintain consistent font and styling across all slides
7. Redraw your own figures rather than copy-pasting from external sources

Practice, practice, and practice

1. Speak slowly and deliberately, assuming your audience is unfamiliar with the material
2. Refer to bullet points, but do not read them aloud verbatim (avoid sounding like a newsreader)
3. Point to visuals using a laser pointer or mouse cursor when referencing them
4. Maintain eye contact with your audience, not the screen
5. Emphasize key ideas worth highlighting
6. Cite sources in place, not in a final reference slide
7. Practice multiple times to ensure confident delivery and correct timing
8. If using video or audio, test it beforehand
9. All presenters’ full names should appear on the first slide
10. Ensure everyone contributes to a single coherent story
11. Conclude with strength, summarizing key points clearly
12. (Optional) Bring printed one-page handouts of your slides for the audience

What NOT to do

1. Overcrowd slides with lengthy paragraphs or full sentences
2. Present images without clear labels or explanations
3. Simply read your bullet points word-for-word like a newscaster
4. Wing it without practicing