Effective Jargon-Free Presenting

A Guide for the Postdoctoral Research Symposium

I. Designing Your Poster for Maximum Clarity

Do’s

Keep It Simple and Visually Appealing:

• Use concise text with bullet points instead of dense paragraphs.
• Choose high-quality visuals (graphs, images, and diagrams) to illustrate key concepts.
• Use large, readable fonts (minimum 24pt for text, 32pt for headings).
• Maintain consistent colors and spacing for a professional look.
• Ensure clear section headings: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.

Don’ts

• Don't use excessive jargon or technical terms without explanation.
• Don't overload the poster with dense text or cluttered visuals.
• Avoid text-heavy sections with too much information.

For more tips, check out our poster design guide »

II. Understanding Your Audience

Know Who You’re Speaking To

• Identify your audience and their backgrounds: Are they postdocs from different fields, students, or the general public?
• Avoid assuming they understand field-specific terminology or technical concepts.

Adjust Your Level of Detail

• Focus on key takeaways and implications rather than intricate methodologies.
• Use analogies and relatable examples to make complex ideas understandable.

Example

Instead of "neurotransmitter dysregulation," you can say "an imbalance in brain chemicals that affects communication between nerve cells."

III. Structuring Your Presentation for Clarity

Start with the Big Picture

• Use a compelling title that highlights the significance of your research.
• Open with a clear problem statement: What question does your research answer?
• Clearly state your main takeaway in one or two sentences.

Follow a Logical Flow

• Introduction: Clearly define your topic and its relevance.
• Background: Provide context using familiar concepts.
• Methodology: Briefly explain the approach or techniques used, keeping technical details minimal.
• Main Findings: Present your research in a way that highlights its significance.
• Conclusion: Summarize key takeaways and their real-world impact.

Keep It Concise

Stick to one or two main ideas per section to avoid overwhelming your audience.

IV. Simplifying Language Without Losing Meaning

Replace or Explain Necessary Jargon with Clear, Everyday Language

• While "statistically significant" is a commonly used term, you may also say "the difference is unlikely due to chance."
• Instead of "gene expression regulation," say "genes are like light switches—they can be turned on or off depending on conditions."

Use Analogies and Metaphors

Compare unfamiliar concepts to everyday experiences to enhance understanding.

Define Necessary Terms

If a technical term is essential, briefly define it before using it.

Example

• "PROMIS-29 Questionnaire, a validated tool used to assess quality of life.”
• "A validated tool used to assess quality of life is the PROMIS-29 Questionnaire.”

V. Engaging Your Audience Effectively

Encourage Interaction

• Invite questions: “Would you like me to explain this figure?”
• Check for understanding: “Does this make sense?”
• If unsure, say: “That’s a great question—I’d love to explore that further.”

Use a Conversational Tone

• Speak naturally and enthusiastically rather than reading from the poster.
• Vary your tone to maintain interest—avoid monotone delivery.

Watch Your Body Language

• Maintain eye contact to keep your audience engaged.
• Use hand gestures naturally to emphasize key ideas or point to significant findings.
• Be aware of your positioning. Ensure that you do not block important parts of the poster, especially when presenting to multiple people at once. Position yourself to allow clear visibility for all listeners.

VI. Handling Questions and Feedback

Be Prepared for Questions

• Anticipate common questions and prepare clear, simple answers.
• If a question is highly technical, briefly summarize before answering.

Don’t Be Afraid to Say “I Don’t Know”

If you don’t know the answer, say “That’s a great question—I’d love to look into that further.”

Clarify If Needed

If someone asks a complex question, repeat or rephrase it to ensure understanding.

VII. Practicing for a Strong Delivery

Rehearse with a Non-Expert Audience

• Present to friends, family, or colleagues outside your field to test clarity.
• Ask them: "What was my research about?" If they struggle to answer, simplify further.

Time Yourself

Stick to 2-4 minutes for a quick summary of your poster.

Record Yourself

Identify unclear sections or areas where you use too much jargon. (Yes, this will probably feel weird... We suggest that you do it anyway.)

VIII. Final Dos and Don’ts

DO

• Know your audience and adjust language accordingly.
• Start with why your research matters before diving into details.
• Use simple, clear language and relatable analogies.
• Keep poster visually appealing and text-light.
• Speak confidently and conversationally.
• Encourage audience engagement through questions and discussion.

DON’T

• Use unnecessary jargon or complex terminology.
• Overload poster with text or dense data tables.
• Read directly from your poster. Make eye contact and engage with your audience.
• Speak too fast or rush through key points.
• Assume the audience understands technical terms. Be ready to explain or simplify as needed.

IX. Additional Resources

To Watch

• Basics of Effective Communication to a General Audience » 
  • A Three-Minute Thesis Workshop by the University's Center for Teaching and Learning
• Giving an Effective Poster Presentation »
  • A 2013 YouTube video of how to present your poster effectively, plus examples, created primarily with first-time poster presenters in mind

To Read

• Ten Simple Rules for a Good Poster Presentation »
  • A 2007 article published in PLoS Computational Biology
• Rethinking Technical Presentations: The Assertion-Evidence Approach »
  • How to build your presentations on succinct messages (assertions) supported by visual evidence

Conclusion