Conference Presentation Planner

Follow the 1-2 slides per minute rule. For a 15-minute talk, aim for 15-20 slides (including title and references). For a 20-minute talk, 20-25 slides. Longer presentations (45-60 minutes) need 40-60 slides but allow more discussion depth. This assumes slides with one main idea each, not text-heavy slides requiring extended explanation. Practice timing to ensure you do not rush or finish early. Better to have fewer slides with clear messages than cramming too much content. Leave 2-3 minutes for questions unless Q&A is separate.

Essential slides: (1) Title with authors and affiliations, (2) Outline/roadmap (optional for short talks), (3) Background/motivation (2-3 slides), (4) Research question or hypothesis (1 slide), (5) Methods overview (2-3 slides - design, sample, measures, analysis), (6) Results (5-8 slides - your main contribution, emphasize key findings with graphs/tables), (7) Discussion/implications (2-3 slides), (8) Limitations and future directions (1 slide), (9) Conclusions (1 slide), (10) Acknowledgments, (11) References. Spend most time on results - this is what attendees came to learn. Methods can be brief unless methodology is your contribution.

Engagement strategies: (1) Start with compelling hook - surprising finding, provocative question, or real-world problem, (2) Use visuals over text - graphs, photos, diagrams not bullet points, (3) Tell a story - give your research narrative arc, (4) Highlight practical implications - why should audience care?, (5) Use contrasting examples or comparisons, (6) Build suspense before revealing key findings, (7) Make eye contact with audience, not screen, (8) Vary pacing and tone - emphasize important points, (9) End with clear take-home message, (10) Practice until confident, not memorized. Enthusiasm is contagious - show excitement about your work.