II. Planning the Presentation

There are four basic presentation types: web page, PowerPoint or other type of slide presentation, poster board, and traditional paper. The nature of your project has less to do with which type you choose than your consideration of the pros and cons. Regardless of the presentation type, you need to have the same basic elements:

Ø Introduction & Problem Statement (e.g., research question)

Ø Operationalization of terms, if necessary

Ø Methodology, including discussion of sampling method, data-gathering and observation techniques, and data analysis methods

Ø Analytical discussion / presentation regarding findings (e.g., charts, graphs, etc.)

Ø Conclusions

Ø Sources

One thing to keep in mind is that this is not a “term [or research] paper,” which means that it is not a project you’ve been working on all term. Your presentation – whatever the format – will not be a mini thesis or capstone project or anything like that. Try to remember that this project is an opportunity for you to express yourself in manner that suits you as well as to share your findings with others. Have fun!

The table below presents the pros and cons of each method.

Presentation Type	Pros and Advantages	Cons and Challenges	Recommended for
Web Page	Ø easy to display variety of media, including photographs, short videos, sound clips, charts, graphs, etc. Ø can provide many links to sources (Works Cited section could potentially be all links!) Ø can include PowerPoint presentations within web page Ø can point to maps and other online sources Ø can provide an outlet for creative expression Ø can become part of permanent online or digital portfolio for later work (grad school, job app., etc.) Ø little expense in terms of material	Ø need to know how to create a web page Ø need to have a place to publish the web page (can also send complete page and files to MJB) Ø can be time consuming, even if you know how to create a web page Ø need to make sure page(s) are readable and easy to navigate Ø need to ensure that page(s) run on various browsers Ø need to make sure all links work Ø web page needs to be logically and cohesively put together Ø you need to be able to move through the web page in your presentation much like MJB moves through a lecture guide	Ø people with knowledge of making web pages Ø people who think both creatively and logically Ø people who have facility with various media Ø people who are into this kind of thing J
PowerPoint presentation	Ø can insert a variety of media, including photographs, graphs, charts, sounds, and even media clips Ø can include hyperlinks to web sites Ø can print out speaker’s notes for audience to follow along Ø can practice slide show timings to stay within 3-minute presentation Ø can provide an outlet for creative expression Ø can become part of a permanent online or digital portfolio for later work (grad school, job app., etc.) Ø can be converted relatively easily to a poster board Ø little expense in terms of material	Ø need to know how to create a PowerPoint slide presentation Ø need to have access to PowerPoint or Open Source Presentation software and make sure it is available on presentation computer Ø need to make sure slide transitions are smooth and well timed and that practice timing on your own computer will be the same as on presentation computer Ø challenging to whittle material on slides down to succinct one-liners; better to have many slides, each with minimal information Ø need to make sure fonts, graphs, images are large enough so people in back of room can see	Ø people who have familiarity with PowerPoint or Open Source Presentation software Ø people who are creative but not necessarily into web design Ø people who can be succinct Ø people with some sense of design and balance Ø people who feel the most comfortable making a presentation with a “crutch” – although the slides can provide only so much help . . . most of it is still up to you J
Poster Board	Ø materials can be reused (if rubber cemented, all board elements can be rearranged and/or removed) Ø everything can be seen at once (ideally), so viewers can get an overall sense of your entire project just by looking at the one board, without having to move from slide to slide or page to page Ø layout can be compelling Ø can provide an outlet for creative expression Ø requires very little technical knowledge Ø can be the least time consuming, if you have it planned out well	Ø need to acquire materials (poster board, straight edge, Exacto knife, rubber cement, backing paper) Ø need access to a decent printer for photos and other items Ø need to have some sense of design and logical flow of ideas Ø challenging to whittle material down to fit on a trifold board, while retaining enough blank space and large enough font and graphics for people to see Ø board is a visual aid to accompany an oral presentation, so need to have a script to go by to point to parts of board and stay within time limit Ø hassle to carry around (ask MJB for hint, tho) Ø impossible to make part of online or digital portfolio without essentially recasting it as a PowerPoint presentation	Ø non-techie types Ø creative people Ø people with a good sense of design, layout, color, etc. Ø people who can be succinct Ø people who feel comfortable standing next to their display, relatively close to their audience (intimate presentation method) Ø people who don’t mind the possibility of having their work scrutinized up close by the audience
Traditional paper	Ø requires very little technical knowledge (other than using word processing and spreadsheet software) Ø little expense in terms of material Ø is a familiar product for most students Ø can include photos and graphs and charts Ø can easily be saved in digital format for part of online or digital portfolio	Ø need to condense what might be a 10-page paper to a 3-minute presentation Ø must be able to make paper presentation in a way that is interesting (i.e., avoid reading in a monotone, directly from the paper) Ø large percentage of grade will be based on paper style and content (i.e., writing/grading checklist) than the other presentation formats	Ø confident speakers Ø good writers Ø people with “presence” Ø people who just don’t have the time to learn how to do any of the other methods, but can commit to practicing their delivery Ø people who aren’t afraid of MJB’s bloody pen J
I need help deciding!

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