56:231 Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Tips for Paper Presentations

1. Be prepared: consider your audience and how to communicate effectively with them, time allowed, and room conditions, e.g., size, lighting, acoustics, seating arrangements, media equipment; rehearse the presentation (the magic number is four─go through the final presentation four times; consider doing it in front of a mirror or in a room with similar layout and equipment to what you will use for the presentation); organize your presentation to be clear and concise; use clear, uncluttered slide formats; quality graphics & figures can help communicate complicated ideas; test out your presentation materials and equipment prior to the presentation
2. Be effective: stand so as not to block the projected image on the  screen (point to screen, when necessary, but face audience); don’t use gestures or shift body positions, excessively
3. Maintain eye contact: look at your audience; try to communicate with each person in the audience; look for cues from the audience & adjust appropriately
4. Project your voice: consciously try to speak to the people in the back row; if  people can’t hear you easily, they will likely lose interest
5. Speak clearly: be concerned for the listener; slow down your speech; pronounce words clearly; avoid acronyms or expressions your audience may not understand
6. Finish strong: save something important to say at the end; don’t end with “Well, I guess that’s all I have to say.”