Digital Presentations (Five Slides)

• We have 29” wide monitors available for you to present digital presentations from your laptop.
• Monitors have a standard HDMI port. If you are using a Mac or have a laptop without an HDMI port, we recommend you bring an adaptor. We will have a few on hand just in case.

• Your presentation should have 5 slides telling the story of your research project.
• You will also prepare a 5-minute verbal narrative to share when someone walks up to you and asks what your research is about.
• Use of images, graphs, charts, tables, animations, illustrations is encouraged! Keep text very brief – you should do most of the talking, not your slides.
• Required components to include:
  • Project title
  • Your name
  • Your faculty mentor’s name
  • Faculty mentor's department
  • Research Ethics Compliance number, if applicable (ex. IRB, IACUC, IBC, etc)
  • Funding source - ensure you credit the Charles Center if necessary
• Recommended components to include:
  
  • Background – why was this research needed?
  • Research questions – what did you want to discover?
  • Methodology – how was your research designed and how did you carry it out?
  • Results – clearly state the main finding(s)
  • Implications – what’s the impact and what are the future directions?
  • References/Citations
• Make sure your faculty mentor reviews and approves your finished PowerPoint presentation before the Symposium.

Swem Research Librarian Presentations

Go to the link above to view the guides, slides, and recordings for the following topics:

• Digital Presentation Tips
• Communicating with Visuals
• Clear and Memorable Presentations

Other Resources

• Slide Formatting Checklist – created by LouAnne Hawkines and Christopher Leone
• Tips for a Memorable 5-Minute Research Presentation – Cornell University
• Past examples: 2025 Spring Honors Research Symposium
• William & Mary Slide Template

Oral Presentation Tips – created by Lisa Scott

Practice, practice, practice! It’s important to practice so you can present with confidence and clarity.

Vocal Range

• Speak clearly and use variety in your voice (fast/slow, loud/soft).
• Do not rush – find your rhythm.
• Remember to pause at key points, as it gives the audience time to think about what you are saying.

Body Language

• Stand straight and confidently.
• Hold your head up and make eye contact.
• Never turn your back to the audience.
• Practice how you will use your hands and ensure your presentation is delivered from a single position.
• Do not make the common mistakes of rolling back and forth on your heels, pacing for no reason or playing with your hair as these habits are distracting for the audience.

Dress

• Students should follow a work casual dress code. Think of what you would wear to a job interview, but one degree less formal.