A lightning tour of effective presentations
by Alex M. Maldonado
Have your main point be your heading without major distractions
You looked at the header first, right?
Hopefully the image did not distract you
If only we could control the flow of information with animations
Vehlow, 2018, DOI: 10.1109/TVCG.2013.232
Off-white backgrounds are easier on the eyes
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#ffffff
#fdfdfc
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#faf9f6
For crisp visuals, remember to change the white backgrounds of figures using GIMP or Photoshop
Increased letter and line spacing helps reading
This is regular letter spacing with appropriate emphasis
This is regular letter spacing with inappropriate emphasis
This is extra letter spacing with appropriate emphasis
This is extra letter spacing with inappropriate emphasis
This is extra letter and line spacing with appropriate emphasis
Use up to three high contrast colors
Differences can be emphasized
Too similar
If you use colors, make them color-blind friendly
Challenging format and colors
Colors are not crucial
Example: Explain what CRISPR-Cas9 is to a first-year biology undergrad
Information-dense slides are difficult to digest
All information on these slides are from the same website
CRISPR-Cas9
CRISPR-Cas9 is a unique technology that enables geneticists and medical researchers to edit parts of the genome by removing, adding, or altering sections of the DNA sequence.
Cas9 is an enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific location
We use a guide RNA that binds to the exact target sequence
This induces a mutation in the DNA
(the dense way)
CRISPR-Cas9 allows scientists to induce genetic mutations in a precise manner
(the chunked way)
CRISPR-Cas9
A custom RNA sequence binds to the target DNA sequence
(the chunked way)
Cas9, an enzyme, will recognize this binding and cut the DNA
(the chunked way)
Cells will repair the DNA break—resulting in the desired mutation
(the chunked way)
Check out Alex's BIOSC 1630 course here for more information
A lightning tour of effective presentations
By aalexmmaldonado
