TO: TCC 315

FROM: Gorman, Richards, and Scherer

RE: ORAL PRESENTATION GUIDELINES: Patent Presentations

DATE: 10 February 1996

Patent presentations should be a total of 15 minutes. Use of graphics is encouraged. Your goal is to sell your idea -- convince us to accept your patent!

1. Organization of Presentation
• use an outline of what you plan to say rather than writing it verbatim
• Introduction -- include an agenda
• gain attention
• provide smooth transition to body
2. The Presentation
• use effective language -- avoid using lingo
• clear, simple, direct, active
• avoid the following common pitfalls
• mumbling
• rapid speech
• lack of organization
• lack of enthusiasm
• lack of concern for audience
• mannerisms
• going over time -- make sure you pace your presentation.
• make frequent eye contact
• don't play musical speakers - limit number of speakers
• only one person (speaker) should be standing
3. Visual Aids
• assure that they can be seen by everyone -- make sure the font is readable
• pause when shifting visual aids
• use aids that are easily understood
• remove aid as soon as you have fully explained it
• use visual aids sparingly and to support important points only
• design of aid
• visible
• clear -- label graphics with titles, legends, etc.
• simple -- otherwise client will read slide, rather than listen to presentation
• use to reinforce points, not to make them
• avoid detailed information
• use visible page numbers

[ Back to Top ]

[ Syllabus ] [ Resource Home ]

Unless otherwise noted this page and all its contents and subdocuments are copyright 1994 by Michael E. Gorman.

This page was last edited: Sunday, July 18, 1999