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How to Present
Designing your presentation
WVU - Specific Resources
We’ve gathered a collection of resources to help you create and deliver an effective research
presentation, whether you’re preparing a poster, oral talk, or simply looking to strengthen your
professional communication skills.
Oral presentations
- WVU Specific PowerPoint Template (page down to PowerPoint Templates)
Poster presentations
-
Creating an Effective Research Poster by Dr. Michelle
Richards-Babb, PhD.
- Poster Printing: check WVU libraries guidelines, locations and hours of service
- Cost: Around $30 per poster (36” wide x 46” tall (portrait).
Professional Courtesy
All presenters are expected to demonstrate professional etiquette and respect during the event common to all disciplines:
Oral Presenters
- Remain in the room until all presentations in your session are complete. This shows respect to fellow presenters and provides additional opportunities to gain new insights or ideas. Spectators should enter and exit only between presentations, not during them.
Poster Presenters
- Stay with your poster for the entire session and be ready to present and respond to questions from judges and attendees.
Dress Code
- This is a professional event, therefore, business casual attire is required. Presenters should approach the symposium as both a presentation and networking opportunity.
- For research presentations, business casual typically includes a dress, dress pants, slacks or khakis, or a longer skirt paired with a blouse, button-down, dress shirt, or polo. Blazers or cardigans are optional but can add a more professional touch. Avoid jeans, shorts, or athletic wear. The aim should be to look both neat and professional.
- Perceptions of Ethicality: The Role of Attire Style, Attire Appropriateness, and Context
- What Does Business Casual Really Mean in 2023?
additional resources
Posters
- MIT Commkit: How to design and present a scientific poster.
- Designing Effective Posters (by Fred Stoss, subject librarian, University of Buffalo)
- Designing Conference Posters (includes a variety of templates for download, by Colin Purrington)
- Humanities Poster Tips (from New York University)
Oral Presentations
- MIT Commkit: How to design and give an oral presentation
- TEDx Speaker Guide (for oral presentations, you might want to follow the same conventions used for TED talks)
- Giving Science Talks (by Colin Purrington)
- Using PowerPoint Effectively in a Presentation (Hamilton College)
- How to Convert Your Paper into a Presentation (Duke University)
- WVU SpeakWrite and Writing Studio
Writing
- MIT Commkit: How to write a scientific paper.
- Comparing and Contrasting in Writing (If your writing task involves comparing and contrasting Theory X and Theory Y, take a look at this short video to help you decide how to organize the comparison.)
- Proofreading (link to Scribendi & How proof reading can drastically improve your writing)
- How to Write an Effective email (NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education)
Other Resources
-
NIH Office of Intramural Resources for Undergraduates (other resources)
- Reading a Scientific Article slides (NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education)
- Registry of Undergraduate Researchers (Hosted by the Council on Undergraduate Research. Facilitates matchmaking between undergraduates with research experience and graduate schools seeking students prepared for research. Registration is free for undergraduates.)
