Joint European Stable Isotope User Meeting

Abstract sSubmission and guidelines for authors
Guidelines for talks

Please keep in mind that your presentation should not exceed the predefinedduration: 35' for senior keynote lectures, 25' for junior keynote lectures, and 15' for regular presentations (time for questions included).

Acceptable formats for Presentations:
MS Windows: Microsoft PowerPoint, Acrobat PDF.
Macintosh: Microsoft PowerPoint, Acrobat PDF, Apple Keynote.

Recommendations for Preparation of a talk

  • Slides must be well designed, simple, and legible to everyone in the audience.
  • Use as few slides as possible for the time allotted. As a general rule, use one slide for each 1 or 2 minutes of presentation time. Each slide should remain on the screen for at least 20 seconds.
  • Text slides are most readable on a dark background (blue, for example) and bright lettering (yellow or white). It is helpful to step 3-4 meters back from your computer screen and make sure your slides are legible. Avoid using small fonts that will be illegible from the back of the room, and break up a complex slide into a series of slides.
  • Devote each slide to a single fact, idea, or finding. Illustrate major points or trends, not detailed data.
  • Avoid long or complicated formulas or equations.
  • Use the minimum number of words possible in titles, subtitles, and captions. Standard abbreviations are acceptable.
  • Use bold characters instead of fancy fonts.
  • Table preparation: Use not more than three or four vertical columns or more than six or eight horizontal rows. Information is hard to read with more columns or rows. Avoid vertical or horizontal borders or grids as they distract the eye and clutter up the tables. Whenever possible, present data using figures instead of tables.
  • Graph preparation: Avoid showing more than two curves per diagram. A maximum of three or four diagrams may be shown per slide, but only if well separated. Label each curve. Avoid symbols and legends.
  • Colored figures are very effective. Color adds attractiveness, interest, and clarity to slides and should be used whenever possible. Contrasting color schemes are easier to see.
  • Examine every slide and test its legibility under a variety of light conditions before presenting it at a meeting. Often, it is not possible to provide appropriate lighting at meetings.
  • An introductory and a concluding slide can greatly improve the focus of your talk.