Talk Guidelines
How long is each oral presentation?
For Graduate Presenters:
- Sciences: each oral presentations is allotted 12 minutes for the presentation and 3 minutes for questions from the audience. Humanities & Humanistic Social Sciences: each oral presentation is allotted 15 minutes for the presentation and 5 minutes for questions from the audience. Timekeeping will be strictly enforced and the session chair will provide you with visual indicators to assist you with time management during your presentation.
- Honors talks, regardless of discipline, are allotted 10 minutes for the presentation and 5 minutes for questions from the audience. Timekeeping will be strictly enforced and the session chair will provide you with visual indicators to assist you with time management during your presentation.
What type of computer & audio-visual equipment will be provided?
We will provide a PC laptop with Microsoft Office and an LCD projector for each session room. The audio from the PC laptops will be connected to the audio speakers in the session room. If you will have a PowerPoint presentation, you must use the PC laptop we provide; in the interest of time, you may not use your own laptop for the presentation. Bring your own laser pointer, if needed.
How do I handle downloading the PowerPoint file to the PC laptop?
We will do it for you. All presenters are required to submit their PowerPoint file using this online form by no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2024, two days before the Symposium. We encourage the use of a slide deck for a visual aid. As a backup, please save your presentation on a portable memory device (USB Flash Drive) and bring it to the GHRS or if you have last-minute changes to your slides. Students visiting from universities outside of W&M should email their PowerPoint to [[grs]].
What if I am a Mac user?
Unfortunately, due to past technical difficulties, we do not allow the use of Mac laptops. You may want to check the layout and style of your PowerPoint on a PC prior to the GHRS to ensure that it will display correctly.
Is a PowerPoint presentation required?
No formal PowerPoint or other slide deck is required to participate in the GHRS. Presentation styles vary between disciplines.
Can I create my presentation using a program other than PowerPoint?
Yes, but please send it to us on/before March 18, 2024, to make sure that there are no technical difficulties with your chosen format.
Any other words of wisdom?
Meet with your advisor or colleagues to discuss your presentation; a second opinion always helps. Be sure to practice your presentation more than once.
Any other questions?
Email [[grs]]
