Structure of a Research Presentation

Introduction

• Engage the audience
• Focus the presentation
• Preview the presentation’s structure or content

Body

For each major section of your presentation, follow the “4 S Structure”¹:

• Signpost the point (“First I'm going to point out the problem with...” “My second argument is that...” “Now let me explain my methodology.”)
• State the point clearly and succinctly
• Support the point with data, cases, description, relevant studies, etc.
• Summarize the point

Conclusion

• Summarize and refocus
• Close
• Audience questions

For more details on structural and content elements, see Engaging Your Audience.
 

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¹ Adapted from Joyce Ferguson, "Speaking Across the Curriculum at UNCG," in Communication Across the UNCG Curriculum: A Guide for Faculty, ed. Karen Meyers, University of North Carolina— Greensboro, 2002.