Step back from the details of your research and think
about what your audience might like to learn from your work. Keep
it simple - remember, less is more.
Organization
Your talk should include:
1. Statement of hypothesis and purpose of the research
2. Description of methods of investigation
3. Inclusion of data collected and what was learned
4. Conclusions based on the data collected
5. Emphasis on significance and highlights of the research
Audio-Visuals
1. Supporting audio-visuals must be concise, uncluttered
and readable from a distance
2. Audio-visuals should amplify our oral presentation,
not duplicate it
3. Choose the medium that will optimally display your
information - don't use words if a picture will convey it more clearly
(graphs, tables, charts, etc.)
4. Use:
line graphs to show trends;
bar graphs to compare magnitudes;
pie graphs to demonstrate relative portoins of a whole.
5. If you require special a-v, don't wait until the
last minute to request it as it may not be available. The cost of special
audio-visual equipment is paid by the speaker.
Delivery
1. Prepare notes that highlight the salient points
of your talk.
2. Practie the delivery of your talk several times
prior to your presentation along with your slide or transparency sequence
being sure to fit your talk into the time allocated to you.
3. Use simple sentences; avoid jargon, highly specialized
vocabulary and unfamiliar abbreviations.
4. Think about questions you might be asked about your
work and be prepared with well-thought out answers, being mindful of
the limited time for Q and A.
Prior to the Meeting
Check the on-line program on the APS web-site prior
to the meeting to see what other papers will be presented in the session
to which your paper has been assigned.
At the Meeting
1. Check the Corrigenda and the "program changes
board" to determine if there are any changes to the program that
might relate to your presentation.
2. If possible, arrive at the room in which you are
to give your presentation prior to the start of the session and introduce
yourself to the chair.
3. Use the lavalier microphone properly. The microphone
must be placed no more than 6" below your chin. (Often, reported
microphone "problems" are merely a matter of having the lapel
microphone placed too far from the speaker's mouth.)
4. Be prepared to stop when signaled by the Chair to
do so.
5. Retrieve your presentation audio-visuals at the
end of your talk.