--- name: research-presenter description: Turn research findings into presentation outlines with narrative arc, data visualization suggestions, audience adaptation, and slide design guidance. Use when creating research presentations, conference talks, or findings briefings. --- # Research Presenter Structured frameworks for transforming research findings into compelling presentations across academic, industry, and executive contexts. ## Presentation Structure Template ### Standard Research Presentation (15-20 minutes) ``` PRESENTATION OUTLINE: 1. TITLE SLIDE (30 seconds) - Clear, specific title (not clever, not vague) - Author(s) and affiliation - Date and venue - Funding acknowledgment (if applicable) 2. OPENING HOOK (1-2 minutes) - Start with a problem, question, or surprising fact - Make the audience care before explaining the method - Connect to their world (industry relevance, real impact) 3. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT (2-3 minutes) - What is known (brief literature positioning) - What is NOT known (the gap) - Why this gap matters (so what?) - Your research question (single, clear statement) 4. METHODS (2-3 minutes) - Study design overview (visual diagram preferred) - Key methodological decisions and rationale - Sample / data description - Analysis approach (high-level, not every step) 5. RESULTS (5-7 minutes — the core) - Lead with the main finding (not chronological) - One key finding per slide - Visualize data rather than tables of numbers - Build complexity gradually - Highlight what is new or surprising 6. DISCUSSION (2-3 minutes) - What does this mean? (interpretation) - How does it fit with existing knowledge? - Limitations (honest, but don't dwell) - Implications (practical, theoretical, policy) 7. CONCLUSION (1-2 minutes) - 2-3 key takeaways (memorable statements) - Future directions (what comes next) - Call to action (if applicable) 8. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND Q&A (remaining time) - Thank collaborators and funders - Display contact information - Open for questions ``` ### Short Talk Structure (5-7 minutes) ``` LIGHTNING TALK FORMAT: Slide 1: Title + one-sentence summary of finding Slide 2: The problem (why should anyone care?) Slide 3: What we did (one visual of method) Slide 4: Main result (one chart, one takeaway) Slide 5: Supporting result (optional, only if critical) Slide 6: So what? (implications + next steps) Slide 7: Contact info + key reference RULE: One idea per slide. No more than 7 slides. If you cannot explain it in 7 slides, you do not understand it well enough yet. ``` ## Narrative Arc Framework ### Story Structure for Research ``` NARRATIVE ARC: CLIMAX (Main Finding) / \ / \ RISING ACTION FALLING ACTION (Methods, Build-up) (Discussion, Context) / \ / \ HOOK ─────────────────────────────────────── RESOLUTION (Problem/Question) (Takeaways/Future) IMPLEMENTATION: ACT 1 — SETUP (25% of time) "Here is a problem that matters to you..." "Previous attempts have tried X, Y, Z but..." "The question we asked was..." ACT 2 — CONFRONTATION (50% of time) "We approached this by..." "What we found was..." [build tension with supporting data] "The surprising part was..." [climax — main finding] ACT 3 — RESOLUTION (25% of time) "This means that..." "The limitation is..." "Going forward, we plan to..." "What you can do with this is..." ``` ### Narrative Transitions | From | To | Transition Phrase | | --- | --- | --- | | Hook | Background | "To understand why this matters, let me give you some context..." | | Background | Research question | "This brings us to the question we set out to answer..." | | Research question | Methods | "Here is how we investigated this..." | | Methods | Results | "So what did we find?" | | Result 1 | Result 2 | "Building on this, we also discovered..." | | Results | Discussion | "What does this tell us?" | | Discussion | Limitations | "Before we get too excited, there are important caveats..." | | Limitations | Conclusion | "Despite these limitations, the evidence suggests..." | | Conclusion | Call to action | "Here is what I hope you take away from this..." | ## Audience Adaptation Matrix ### Tailoring Content by Audience | Element | Academic Conference | Industry/Practitioner | Executive Briefing | General Public | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Opening** | Literature gap | Business problem | Bottom-line impact | Human story | | **Methods depth** | Detailed, justify choices | High-level summary | Skip or one slide | Avoid jargon | | **Results focus** | Statistical rigor | Practical applications | ROI / impact numbers | What changed | | **Visualizations** | Detailed charts, tables | Clean charts, dashboards | Summary metrics only | Infographics | | **Jargon level** | Field-specific terms OK | Industry terms OK | Plain language required | Everyday language | | **Slides per minute** | 1-1.5 | 1-2 | 2-3 (fast pacing) | 1-1.5 | | **Takeaway format** | Future research | Action items | Recommendation | Memorable insight | | **Q&A depth** | Methodological debate | "How do I apply this?" | "What should we do?" | "What does this mean?" | ### Audience Assessment Checklist ``` BEFORE DESIGNING YOUR PRESENTATION: 1. WHO is in the audience? - Expertise level: [ ] Expert [ ] Knowledgeable [ ] General - Role: [ ] Researchers [ ] Practitioners [ ] Decision-makers [ ] Mixed - Size: [ ] Small (<20) [ ] Medium (20-100) [ ] Large (100+) 2. WHAT do they already know? - Background in your field: [ ] Deep [ ] Some [ ] None - Familiarity with your methods: [ ] High [ ] Low [ ] None - Prior exposure to your topic: [ ] Extensive [ ] Limited [ ] First time 3. WHY are they here? - [ ] Required (conference, class, meeting) - [ ] Voluntary (interested in topic) - [ ] Decision-making (evaluating your work) 4. WHAT do they need from you? - [ ] Rigorous evidence and methodology - [ ] Practical recommendations - [ ] Strategic implications - [ ] Inspiration or awareness 5. WHAT is their attention span? - [ ] High focus (small seminar, engaged group) - [ ] Moderate (conference session, last day) - [ ] Low (after lunch, end of long day, virtual) Adjust: pacing, interactivity, slide density ``` ## Slide Design Guidelines ### Content Rules ``` SLIDE DESIGN PRINCIPLES: 1. ONE IDEA PER SLIDE If a slide requires more than 6 seconds to understand, it has too much content. Split it. 2. ASSERTION-EVIDENCE STRUCTURE Title: A complete sentence stating the slide's message Body: Visual evidence supporting that assertion Example title: "Treatment group showed 40% faster recovery" NOT: "Results" or "Figure 3" 3. TEXT LIMITS - Title: 1 line, max 10 words - Bullet points: max 3-4 per slide, max 8 words each - Body text: avoid entirely (speak it, do not display it) - Font size: never below 24pt (28-36pt recommended) 4. VISUAL HIERARCHY - Most important element is largest - Use contrast (color, size, weight) to direct attention - White space is not wasted space — it aids comprehension - Consistent alignment (left-align text, center figures) 5. COLOR USAGE - Maximum 3-4 colors total - One accent color for emphasis - Sufficient contrast (check for colorblind accessibility) - Dark text on light background (or vice versa consistently) ``` ### Slide Type Templates | Slide Type | Layout | When to Use | | --- | --- | --- | | **Title** | Large title, subtitle, author, affiliation | Opening slide | | **Section divider** | Single word or phrase, full-bleed | Transition between major sections | | **Assertion + chart** | Sentence title + single chart | Presenting a finding | | **Assertion + image** | Sentence title + photo/diagram | Context, methods, examples | | **Comparison** | Side-by-side panels or split screen | Before/after, two conditions | | **Build slide** | Progressive reveal (animation) | Complex concepts, step-by-step | | **Quote** | Large text, attribution | Expert opinion, participant voice | | **Summary** | 3 key points, numbered | Recap and transition | | **Contact** | Name, email, QR code, key reference | Final slide | ### Slide Count Guidelines | Presentation Length | Slide Count | Pace | | --- | --- | --- | | 5 minutes | 5-7 slides | 45-60 sec/slide | | 10 minutes | 8-12 slides | 50-75 sec/slide | | 15 minutes | 12-18 slides | 50-75 sec/slide | | 20 minutes | 15-25 slides | 50-80 sec/slide | | 45 minutes | 30-45 slides | 60-90 sec/slide | | 60 minutes (with Q&A) | 35-50 slides | 60-90 sec/slide | ## Data Visualization Selection ### Chart Selection Guide ``` CHOOSING THE RIGHT CHART: COMPARISON (between items): Few items (2-5) → Bar chart (horizontal or vertical) Many items (5-15) → Horizontal bar chart (sorted) Over time → Line chart Two variables → Scatter plot COMPOSITION (parts of a whole): At a point in time → Stacked bar or pie (max 5 slices) Over time → Stacked area chart Hierarchical → Treemap DISTRIBUTION: Single variable → Histogram or density plot Compare groups → Box plot or violin plot Two variables → Scatter plot with density RELATIONSHIP: Two variables → Scatter plot Three variables → Bubble chart Correlation matrix → Heat map CHANGE OVER TIME: Single series → Line chart Multiple series → Small multiples (not spaghetti lines) Cumulative → Area chart ``` ### Visualization Do's and Don'ts | Do | Don't | | --- | --- | | Label axes clearly with units | Assume the audience knows the units | | Start bar chart y-axis at zero | Truncate axis to exaggerate differences | | Use color meaningfully | Use color decoratively | | Annotate key data points | Let the audience search for the insight | | Simplify to the essential message | Show all the data you collected | | Use consistent scales across comparisons | Change scales between related charts | | Provide a descriptive chart title (assertion) | Use generic titles ("Figure 1") | | Test for colorblind accessibility | Rely on red/green distinction | ## Speaking Notes Template ### Per-Slide Notes Structure ``` SPEAKING NOTES FORMAT: SLIDE [N]: [Title] Duration: [XX] seconds KEY POINT: [The one thing the audience must understand from this slide] SCRIPT (conversational, not read verbatim): "[Opening line for this slide]... [Supporting detail or transition]... [Bridge to next slide]." AUDIENCE CUE: [Pause here / Ask question / Point to specific data] FALLBACK: [If running behind: skip this detail] [If ahead of schedule: add this anecdote or example] ``` ### Timing and Pacing Guide ``` PACING STRATEGY: OPENING (first 2 minutes): - Speak slightly slower than natural pace - Establish eye contact with different sections - Pause after your opening hook for impact MIDDLE (core content): - Natural conversational pace - Pause before and after key findings (2-3 seconds) - Vary pace: slow for important points, normal for transitions CLOSING (final 2 minutes): - Slightly slower, more deliberate - Pause before final takeaway - End with a strong, definitive statement (not "that's it") TIME CHECKPOINTS: 25% mark: Should be finishing Background/Context 50% mark: Should be in the middle of Results 75% mark: Should be starting Discussion 90% mark: Should be on Conclusion slide RECOVERY IF BEHIND SCHEDULE: - Skip one supporting result (keep main finding) - Shorten methods to "we used X approach" - Condense discussion to 2 sentences - Never skip the conclusion or takeaways ``` ## Q&A Preparation ### Anticipated Questions Framework ``` Q&A PREPARATION TEMPLATE: CATEGORY 1: METHODOLOGY QUESTIONS Q: "Why did you choose [method X] instead of [method Y]?" A: [Prepared response with rationale] Backup slide: [slide number] Q: "What about [potential confound]?" A: [How you addressed or acknowledged it] CATEGORY 2: RESULTS INTERPRETATION Q: "How do you explain [unexpected finding]?" A: [Your interpretation + alternative explanations] Q: "Is this statistically significant?" A: [Specific numbers: p-value, CI, effect size] CATEGORY 3: PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Q: "How would this apply to [specific context]?" A: [Concrete application with caveats] CATEGORY 4: LIMITATIONS AND FUTURE WORK Q: "What are the biggest limitations?" A: [Top 2-3 limitations, framed constructively] Q: "What would you do differently?" A: [Honest reflection + next steps] CATEGORY 5: HOSTILE OR CHALLENGING QUESTIONS Q: "This contradicts [other researcher's] findings..." A: [Acknowledge, explain differences, avoid defensiveness] STRATEGY FOR UNKNOWN QUESTIONS: "That is a great question. I do not have data on that specifically, but based on what we observed, I would hypothesize that... I am happy to follow up after the session with more detail." ``` ### Q&A Best Practices | Situation | Response Strategy | | --- | --- | | Question you know the answer to | Concise answer + one supporting detail | | Question you partially know | Answer what you can, acknowledge the gap | | Question you don't know | "I don't know, but here's what I think..." | | Hostile or loaded question | Reframe neutrally, answer the valid part | | Overly long question | "If I understand correctly, you're asking..." | | Question outside scope | "That's interesting — it's outside this study, but..." | | No questions from audience | Have a self-asked question prepared to break silence | ## Poster Presentation Layout ### Standard Research Poster (48" x 36") ``` POSTER LAYOUT: ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ TITLE │ │ Authors, Affiliations │ ├──────────┬──────────┬──────────┬────────────────┤ │ │ │ │ │ │ INTRO │ METHODS │ RESULTS │ RESULTS │ │ │ │ (Chart 1)│ (Chart 2) │ │ Research │ Design │ │ │ │ Question │ diagram │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ├──────────┴──────────┼──────────┴────────────────┤ │ │ │ │ KEY FINDINGS │ CONCLUSION + REFERENCES │ │ (3 bullet points) │ + QR code to full paper │ │ │ │ └─────────────────────┴────────────────────────────┘ POSTER RULES: - Readable from 4 feet away (title: 72pt, body: 28-32pt) - Maximum 800 words total - Figures > text (60/40 ratio minimum) - Flow: top-left → bottom-right (Z-pattern) - Include QR code linking to paper, data, or slides - White space between sections aids navigation ``` ## Conference Abstract Template ### Structured Abstract (250-300 words) ``` ABSTRACT FORMAT: TITLE: [Specific, descriptive — avoid question format] BACKGROUND: [2-3 sentences] [What is known + what gap exists + why it matters] OBJECTIVE: [1 sentence] [Clear statement of what this study aimed to do] METHODS: [3-4 sentences] [Study design, participants/data, key measures, analysis] RESULTS: [3-4 sentences] [Main finding with numbers: effect sizes, p-values, CIs] [Secondary findings if space permits] CONCLUSIONS: [2-3 sentences] [Interpretation of findings + practical significance] [One sentence on limitations or future directions] KEYWORDS: [3-5 terms, separated by semicolons] ``` ### Abstract Quality Checklist | Element | Check | Status | | --- | --- | --- | | Title is specific and informative | Not a question, not vague | [ ] | | Background establishes the gap | Why this study was needed | [ ] | | Objective is a clear single statement | One research question | [ ] | | Methods include design and sample | Enough to assess validity | [ ] | | Results include actual numbers | Effect sizes, not just p-values | [ ] | | Conclusions match the results | No overclaiming | [ ] | | Within word limit | Usually 250-300 words | [ ] | | Keywords are searchable terms | Standard terminology | [ ] | ## Presentation Rehearsal Protocol ``` REHEARSAL STAGES: STAGE 1 — SOLO RUN-THROUGH (day -7) - Read through slides and notes - Time yourself - Identify awkward transitions and fix them - Mark slides that need simplification STAGE 2 — RECORDED PRACTICE (day -5) - Record audio or video of full presentation - Watch/listen for: filler words, pacing, clarity - Check: are you reading slides or speaking naturally? - Adjust timing for problem sections STAGE 3 — PRACTICE AUDIENCE (day -3) - Present to 1-3 colleagues or friends - Ask them: "What was the main takeaway?" - If they cannot answer clearly, revise that section - Practice answering their questions STAGE 4 — FINAL POLISH (day -1) - One final timed run-through - Verify all technology works (projector, pointer, backup) - Prepare backup: USB drive + cloud link + printed notes - Get adequate sleep ``` ## See Also - [Statistics Verifier](../statistics-verifier/SKILL.md) - [Data Science](../data-science/SKILL.md) - [Product Management](../product-management/SKILL.md)