Speaker Tips & Guidelines

Organize Your Talk

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. 

1. State the hypothesis and purpose of your research.
    
2. Describe your methods of investigation.
    
3. Include data collected and what was learned.
    
4. Give conclusions based on the collected data.
     
5. Emphasize the significance and highlights of the research.

Your Presentation

1. Prepare notes that highlight the salient points of your talk.
    
2. Practice 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.
5. Audio-Visuals
      Audio-Visual Policy and Tips
    
6. Audio-visuals should amplify your talk, not duplicate it.
    
7. 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.).
    
8. Use line graphs to show trends; bar graphs to compare magnitudes; pie graphs to demonstrate relative portions of a whole.
    
9. Make sure your supporting audio-visuals are concise, uncluttered, and easily read from a distance.
    
10. Read Audio-Visual Policy and Tips for a list of provided A-V equipment and its use.
     
11. Request special A-V early or it may not be available. You will have to pay for special special audio-visual equipment.

At the Meeting

1. Check the on-line program on the APS website to see if there are any changes in your session.
    
2. Using a laptop and projector? Read Audio-Visual Policy and Tips to know what to expect in your session and use the Speaker Ready room.
    
3. Check the "program changes board" at the APS Registration Desk to determine if there are any changes to the program related to your presentation.
    
4. If possible, arrive at your session 10 minutes early to setup and introduce yourself to the Session Chair.
    
5. Please stop when signaled by the Chair to do so.
    
6. Retrieve your presentation audio-visuals at the end of your talk.