Comments on first talk:
Note that these comments are to be taken as general comments that anybody can use to improve their presentation. Also, refer to the course packet. I reemphasize that I look for improvement in the second talk, that your grade is based more on the second talk than the first.
Draw on blackboard to the side of the overhead screen an illustration that summarizes the talk; this way, people can view the summary as you give your talk.
eg: mdm2--> inhibits p53--> etc. or the summary noted below.
The speaker might want to make a list of terms (such as tumor suppressor gene, p53, ribosome, transcription factor, myc) that should be defined at the beginning of the talk.
Don't use terms that are not defined and are not central to the talk (e.g., cyclins, S phase checkpoint, possibly ubiquination, apoptosis, etc.). Cut and cut again to leave only the essential facts. If it is not relevant to the central theme of the talk, do not show it on the overhead (e.g., nucleoli regions) or mention it. Another example of simplification and cutting extraneous material: estrogen receptor merely increases myc expression- simplify this to "they add a steroid that causes myc gene to increase mRNA transcription, thus, increasing production of myc protein" or "a steroid is added, this increases myc protein" and go into the detail only if there is a question. Cut these discussions to simply state that myc increases cell division (don't go into S phase progression, cyclins, etc.), and cut out notes on: 7th passage, tamoxifen receptor.
How do you know what to cut? Practice: try giving the talk with cutting in mind (is every statement required?). Have someone listen to your talk, time yourself.
There needed to be more clear illustrations. You can't have too many illustrations; you need a flow chart of methods for every figure (showing data) that you show. The flow chart should be clear and simple; it may take a couple of drafts.
Make sure illustrations have titles and purpose is clear.
Cut out parts of the figure in the paper that are not crucial. Blow up the illustrations or graphs so that you can read the text in the back of the room. Have a separate overhead/slide for conclusions for each graph.
Conclusion slide show present the model clearly; could draw tumor suppressor p53 in the cytoplasm, show it destroyed and that then cell division can take place. Show p53 movement to the cytoplasm by mdm2 (how would mdm2 cause the movement of p53 to the cytoplasm?). Without mdm2, p53 stays in the nucleus and stops cell division. If ARF is present and active, it pulls mdm2 to the nucleoli where mdm2 is ineffective (what was the evidence for this?). For each conclusion, you might want to restate why the conclusion is true (the evidence for this conclusion was...). Remember to ask yourself if the conclusion is appropriate.