Ironically enough, the biggest challenge faced by people making scientific and technical presentations is their reluctance to follow the scientifically established principles of communication. What are those rules? One of them is that the human mind is drawn to problems,
The perils are listed in no particular order. Needle in a haystack The audience will be drinking data from a firehose. The savvy presenter recognizes this peril as an opportunity. To capture attention—do something that stands out from the environment.
When scientists present, they usually start with methods, then move to findings, conclusions and perhaps recommendations. There are good reasons for this, and it can provide some drama. Yet any communication we are willing to pay for is built in