99
11.5 The First Slide Over and Over Again!
The approach to how you practice for your presentation is different whether you are
dealing with short “time-limited” talks, or long lectures (Sect. 11.2). But in either
case, the most difficult part is to get started.
It could be tempting to get going by reading something off your slide to avoid a
memory blank. But as mentioned in Sect. 11.1, you should never read the content of
your slide (the exceptions being citing quotes, Sect. 13.8 and acknowledgement,
Sect. 9.8). Also, as mentioned in Sect. 9.1, do not waste time reading the title of
your talk, or introducing your co-authors at this stage.
You must dive right into your presentation topic, concisely and without hesitation. And this requires practice. You should be repeatedly rehearsing your first slide,
and possibly focusing even on the first few sentences. The first few seconds are critical. If you have to learn something by heart… it could be the first one or two sentences (but no more than that!) Focus on the first slide, rehearse it a few times until
you feel very comfortable. You don’t even need to have your slide in front of you.
Once you get started, the ideas will flow!
11 Practice
11.5 The First Slide Over and Over Again!
The approach to how you practice for your presentation is different whether you are
dealing with short “time-limited” talks, or long lectures (Sect. 11.2). But in either
case, the most difficult part is to get started.
It could be tempting to get going by reading something off your slide to avoid a
memory blank. But as mentioned in Sect. 11.1, you should never read the content of
your slide (the exceptions being citing quotes, Sect. 13.8 and acknowledgement,
Sect. 9.8). Also, as mentioned in Sect. 9.1, do not waste time reading the title of
your talk, or introducing your co-authors at this stage.
You must dive right into your presentation topic, concisely and without hesitation. And this requires practice. You should be repeatedly rehearsing your first slide,
and possibly focusing even on the first few sentences. The first few seconds are critical. If you have to learn something by heart… it could be the first one or two sentences (but no more than that!) Focus on the first slide, rehearse it a few times until
you feel very comfortable. You don’t even need to have your slide in front of you.
Once you get started, the ideas will flow!
11 Practice