Bio/Chem 482 -- Current Literature in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Class Notes on presentation objectives and evaluation, Feb. 16, 2004

Introduction

• 25% of grade
• points to cover and/or keep in mind
  • explain key terms from the work at hand, especially terms in the title
  • background
  • global significance of study
  • objectives of this study
  • follow a logical progression
  • diagrams of key players/processes
  • overview/road-map of what lies ahead in presentation

Data/results

• 40% of grade
• provide sufficient detail on methodology to permit audience to critically evaluate the data
• for each data element (figure, table, etc)
  • present the authors' purpose in conducting this experiment, or what question it is designed to answer
  • walk through the data
  • summarize the figure/table
  • critically interpret it for the audience
  • tie it in to the next experiment
• make sure visual aids are visible
• annotate cryptic figures/tables
• provide interpretive diagrams

Discussion/summary/wrap-up

• 25% of grade
• relate the data to the objectives of the study
• suggest a summary model
• provide a critical evaluation of the authors' conclusions relative to the data (are the conclusions justified?)
• relate this work to the work of others
• propose a logical next experiment

Presentation mechanics

• 10% of grade
• do you convey excitement through your speaking style?
• do you maintain an appropriate speed of delivery?
• do you not read your slides?
• do you avoid vocal "fill" ("uhhh", "and...", "...,like,...")?
• are you comfortable in Q&A?