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Know The Difference

Conference Vs Seminar: Compare and Contrast

October 11, 2023 by Chief Admin Leave a Comment

Conferences and seminars are integral components of the ever-evolving world of professional development and knowledge exchange. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are distinct in their objectives, scale, and immersive experiences. Understanding the concept of conference vs. seminar is essential for making informed choices in an era where continuous learning and networking are paramount.

Conferences, characterized by their expansive nature, draw professionals, scholars, experts, and enthusiasts from across the globe. Their primary function is to create a forum for the exchange of information, research findings, and innovative ideas. These gatherings often feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, paper presentations, and workshops, facilitating not only knowledge dissemination but also opportunities for networking and collaboration. A prime example is the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a colossal annual technology conference where the latest innovations are showcased, epitomizing the sheer magnitude and scope of such events.

On the other hand, seminars represent a more intimate and focused mode of learning. Their primary purpose is to provide participants with in-depth knowledge and specific skill sets. Seminars often involve interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and expert-led sessions, offering attendees the chance to delve deeply into particular subjects. Consider a leadership seminar by Dale Carnegie, where participants engage in role-playing and case studies, emerging with improved leadership and communication skills.

What is a Conference?

According to recognized research bodies, a conference is a formal gathering of individuals within a specific academic, professional, or industry community for the purpose of sharing knowledge, research findings, and ideas related to a particular field or theme. Conferences are characterized by their scale, diversity, and the breadth of topics they encompass. They often attract a wide range of participants, including researchers, scholars, professionals, policymakers, and experts, drawing from various geographical locations and backgrounds.

The primary objective of a conference is to facilitate the dissemination of research and knowledge, and it achieves this through a variety of means, such as oral presentations, poster sessions, and panel discussions. These presentations can cover a wide spectrum of topics, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of many conferences.

Keynote speakers, who are recognized thought leaders or experts in the field, often feature prominently in conferences, providing valuable insights and setting the tone for the event. Conferences can span multiple days, allowing for in-depth discussions and networking opportunities, and they frequently include multiple sessions or tracks to accommodate diverse interests.

Additionally, academic and research conferences typically employ a peer-review process for paper submissions to ensure the quality of presentations, and many conferences offer opportunities for presenters to publish their research in conference proceedings or affiliated journals.

What is a Seminar?

In contrast to conferences, seminars, as defined by established research bodies, are smaller and more focused gatherings that prioritize in-depth discussions, skill development, and interactive learning within a specific subject area.

Seminars are often designed for participants to gain a deep understanding of a particular topic or issue. They tend to have a narrower and well-defined focus, with the goal of providing participants with practical insights or training. Unlike conferences, which can span several days, seminars are typically shorter in duration, ranging from a few hours to a few days, depending on the depth of the topic and the objectives.

Seminars are characterized by their emphasis on active participation, discussion, and engagement. Participants are expected to contribute to the dialogue, ask questions, and share their insights. These events often have a limited number of participants to ensure that everyone can actively interact with the speaker or facilitator.

Experts or practitioners in the field frequently lead seminars, guiding participants through the subject matter and providing hands-on experiences or problem-solving exercises. Seminars are held in a more informal setting, encouraging open and candid discussions among participants. While conferences focus on the dissemination of research and knowledge, seminars are often geared towards practical skill development, training, or problem-solving within a specific context, making them an ideal choice for individuals seeking hands-on learning experiences.

Learn More: Minister Vs Pastor: Compare and Contrast

Characteristics of Conference Vs Seminar

Characteristics of conferences.

• Scale and Diversity : Conferences are typically larger in scale compared to seminars. They can attract a diverse group of participants, including researchers, scholars, professionals, policymakers, and industry experts from various locations and backgrounds.
• Research Presentation : One of the primary purposes of conferences is to present research findings, often in the form of oral presentations, poster sessions, or panel discussions. These presentations can encompass a wide range of topics related to the conference’s theme.
• Multidisciplinary : Conferences can be multidisciplinary, covering a broad spectrum of topics related to a particular field or theme. They are open to a wide array of perspectives and approaches.
• Keynote Speakers : Many conferences feature keynote speakers who are recognized experts or thought leaders in the field. These keynotes provide valuable insights and set the tone for the conference.
• Duration : Conferences can span several days, allowing for in-depth discussions and networking opportunities. They often include multiple sessions or tracks to accommodate various topics and interests.
• Peer Review : Academic and research conferences typically have a peer-review process for paper submissions to ensure the quality of presentations.
• Publication Opportunities : Many conferences offer opportunities for presenters to publish their research in conference proceedings or affiliated journals.

Characteristics of Seminars

• Focused Learning : Seminars are designed to provide participants with a deep understanding of a specific topic, issue, or skill. They often have a narrower and well-defined focus.
• Interactive Format : Seminars encourage active participation, discussion, and engagement. Participants are often expected to contribute to the dialogue, ask questions, and share their insights.
• Duration : Seminars are typically shorter in duration compared to conferences. They may last for a few hours to a few days, depending on the depth of the topic and the objectives.
• Limited Participants : Seminars usually have a limited number of participants to ensure that everyone can actively participate and interact with the speaker or facilitator.
• Expert-Led Discussions : Seminars are often led by experts or practitioners in the field. These experts guide participants through the subject matter and provide practical insights.
• Skill Development : While conferences focus on disseminating research and knowledge, seminars are often geared towards skill development, training, or problem-solving within a specific context.
• Informal Environment : Seminars are often held in a more informal setting, encouraging open and candid discussions among participants.

Learn More: PTO Vs PTA: Compare and Contrast

Conference Vs Seminar: Key Differences

Key similarities between conference vs seminar.

Both conferences and seminars, as platforms for knowledge exchange and professional development, exhibit several key similarities. At their core, they are designed to bring together individuals with shared interests, providing opportunities to learn, discuss, and engage in a specific field or topic.

Both conferences and seminars usually feature expert speakers or presenters who share their insights, research, and experiences. These events encourage interaction among attendees, fostering networking and the exchange of ideas. Furthermore, conferences and seminars often include discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and sometimes, workshops or breakout sessions aimed at promoting deeper understanding and hands-on learning.

Additionally, both of these gatherings aim to disseminate the latest information and advancements in a particular field, ensuring participants stay current and informed. The organizers of conferences and seminars typically strive to create an environment conducive to learning and collaboration, with the intention of sparking inspiration and promoting professional growth among attendees.

Consequently, while they differ in scale, focus, and intensity, conferences and seminars share a foundational commitment to facilitating learning, networking, and the advancement of knowledge within their respective domains.

Learn More: Motivation Vs Inspiration: Compare and Contrast

Examples of Conference vs Seminar

Academic conferences.

Academic conferences, such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting , serve as vibrant hubs for the exchange of scientific knowledge, where thousands of researchers, scientists, and scholars from diverse disciplines convene to present their latest findings, discuss emerging trends, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations.

These events facilitate real-time discussions and intellectual cross-pollination, often leading to groundbreaking discoveries. For instance, a physics researcher might find inspiration for a novel approach to a complex problem by attending a session led by a biologist who discusses the application of biological principles to physics. Thus, academic conferences not only showcase the advances within specific fields but also spark innovation by encouraging connections between seemingly disparate areas of research.

Business Seminars

Business seminars conducted by organizations like Dale Carnegie or renowned academic institutions, such as Harvard Business School, offer concrete examples of skill-focused gatherings. These seminars attract professionals seeking to enhance their leadership, communication, or other essential skills. Through practical exercises, role-playing, and case studies, participants acquire tangible knowledge and competencies applicable to their careers.

For instance, in a leadership seminar, individuals might simulate real-life management scenarios, allowing them to develop effective leadership techniques and strategies. These seminars represent more than just passive information absorption; they provide an interactive platform for honing practical skills, and helping professionals excel in their respective fields and industries.

A Medical Conference vs. a Medical Seminar

To grasp the contrast between a medical conference and a medical seminar, consider their respective objectives. A medical conference may gather healthcare professionals from various specialties to present research findings, discuss innovations, and network with a broad spectrum of peers. In contrast, a medical seminar could focus on a specific area, such as surgical techniques, offering intensive training through workshops and expert-led sessions to enhance participants’ skills in that particular field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical duration of a conference.

The duration of a conference can vary widely. Some conferences last for just a day or two, while others extend to several days, a week, or even more.

Do I need to be an expert to attend a seminar?

No, seminars cater to individuals with varying levels of expertise. Some seminars are introductory, while others offer advanced training. Participants can choose seminars that align with their skill levels and learning objectives.

Can you network at a seminar?

While networking is often more prominent at conferences, many seminars also include opportunities for participants to connect and engage with peers and experts in the field.

While conferences and seminars are both essential components of the knowledge exchange and academic discourse, they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. Conferences are large-scale gatherings that emphasize the presentation of research and the exchange of ideas on a broader scale, often with a multidisciplinary focus.

Seminars, on the other hand, are smaller, more focused events that prioritize in-depth discussions, skill development, and interaction among participants. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for individuals and organizations when deciding which type of event best suits their objectives and needs.

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• Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Conference and Seminar

On the contrary, a seminar implies an academic gathering of people, wherein the attendees are provided information, guidance or training with respect to the specific field of study. There are one or two presenters in the seminar who are subject matter experts. Now let’s talk about the basic differences between conference and seminar.

Content: Conference Vs Seminar

Comparison chart, definition of conference.

The conference, as the name suggests is a formally structured meeting of several delegates at an arranged place and scheduled date, which is meant to ‘confer’ something about a subject, usually of common concern to all the persons present or attending it.

In finer terms, conferences are scheduled meetings held for consultation and exchange of information or discussion, which has a certain agenda or motto to serve.

In a conference, keynote presentation is used to provide information to all the attendees. Further, it has a number of short break sessions. It can take place at both small and high level, i.e. the people attending the conference can range from 50 to 1000 or more.

A conference brings those people together who have some shared interest in the topic which is going to be discussed. It is a form of participatory meeting, organised to discuss an issue, find out facts or solve a problem in hand. It usually continues for a few days, where deliberation or exchange of information takes place, on a specific subject or removal of differences takes place.

Definition of Seminar

The seminar can be described as a formal academic instruction session organized by an academic institution for the students or by a professional organization, to educate and guide the participants on a specific topic, or a series of different topics of a subject or convey a message.

There is no limit on the number of people attending the seminar, as it greatly depends on the level in which the seminar is conducted. If it is organized at a high level, then the number of participants will also be high, and vice versa.

The seminar aims at bringing together all the people to whom delivery of guidance or information is a must and a long lecture is given by one or more subject matter experts in the concerned discipline, who are guest speakers. The speaker usually presents and discuss the topic by way of videos, slide shows or other interactive tools.

It is followed by a dialogue, i.e. question-answer session between the participant and experts, which encourages critical thinking and new ideas.

Key Differences Between Conference and Seminar

The difference between conference and seminar is discussed in the points given below:

• Conference refers to a type of get-together conducted formally to convey certain information on a particular topic by way of presentations, speech and deliberation. On the other hand, the seminar can be described as a long hour educational lecture provided to a particular group of people by one or more experts, for conveying information relating to a subject, or a message.
• Seminars are basically interactive session, wherein Socratic dialogue takes place between the expert and the attendees. Conversely, Conferences are consultative in nature, arranged by an organization or committee, aiming to talk about or exchange their views on a specific matter.
• Seminars are held to inform, educate, counsel, guide or train the participants, on a specific subject. As against, conferences are organized at the organizational, national or international level, which objects to present and discuss a certain matter with the attendees and get their opinion and views on that matter.
• In conferences, the participation of the attendees is somewhat limited. On the contrary, in seminars, the people attending it, take an active part in the discussion, by questioning the expert on their doubts, and the expert, in turn, provides a suitable answer to those questions to clear their doubts.
• Conferences are organized at the conference room of the organization, convention centre, or any other place such as hotel meeting space. In contrast, seminars are held at the institution itself, i.e. at the seminar hall if it is conducted on the institute level, however, if it is organized at a high level, a large space is required for sitting and so they are conducted in an auditorium or any other hotel space.
• When it comes to duration seminars lasts for a few hours only, whereas conferences continue for one or more days, wherein there are several breakout sessions.
• In conferences, the topic is presented by the speaker, who give their views to resolve an issue or decide something. On the flip side, in seminars, a lecture is given by the guest speaker, who is an expert in the field to introduce the topic to the participants, after which further discussion takes place between the expert and the participants.

In a nutshell, seminars are academic in nature, whereas conferences are not just academic, they can be held to serve other purposes also, which can be related to business, politics, economy, science, entertainment, sports and so forth, nationally or internationally.

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Thalar Awra says

September 1, 2023 at 5:11 pm

useful for us. thanks

lauren lee says

September 15, 2023 at 12:39 pm

The article effectively clarifies the distinctions between conferences and seminars, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the differences between these two types of events.

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Conference Papers

What this handout is about.

This handout outlines strategies for writing and presenting papers for academic conferences.

What’s special about conference papers?

Conference papers can be an effective way to try out new ideas, introduce your work to colleagues, and hone your research questions. Presenting at a conference is a great opportunity for gaining valuable feedback from a community of scholars and for increasing your professional stature in your field.

A conference paper is often both a written document and an oral presentation. You may be asked to submit a copy of your paper to a commentator before you present at the conference. Thus, your paper should follow the conventions for academic papers and oral presentations.

Preparing to write your conference paper

There are several factors to consider as you get started on your conference paper.

Determine the structure and style

How will you structure your presentation? This is an important question, because your presentation format will shape your written document. Some possibilities for your session include:

• A visual presentation, including software such as PowerPoint or Prezi
• A paper that you read aloud
• A roundtable discussion

Presentations can be a combination of these styles. For example, you might read a paper aloud while displaying images. Following your paper, you might participate in an informal conversation with your fellow presenters.

You will also need to know how long your paper should be. Presentations are usually 15-20 minutes. A general rule of thumb is that one double-spaced page takes 2-2.5 minutes to read out loud. Thus an 8-10 page, double-spaced paper is often a good fit for a 15-20 minute presentation. Adhere to the time limit.  Make sure that your written paper conforms to the presentation constraints.

Consider the conventions of the conference and the structure of your session

It is important to meet the expectations of your conference audience. Have you been to an academic conference previously?  How were presentations structured? What kinds of presentations did you find most effective? What do you know about the particular conference you are planning to attend? Some professional organizations have their own rules and suggestions for writing and presenting for their conferences. Make sure to find out what they are and stick to them.

If you proposed a panel with other scholars, then you should already have a good idea of your panel’s expectations. However, if you submitted your paper individually and the conference organizers placed it on a panel with other papers, you will need additional information.

Will there be a commentator? Commentators, also called respondents or discussants, can be great additions to panels, since their job is to pull the papers together and pose questions. If there will be a commentator, be sure to know when they would like to have a copy of your paper. Observe this deadline.

You may also want to find out what your fellow presenters will be talking about. Will you circulate your papers among the other panelists prior to the conference? Will your papers address common themes? Will you discuss intersections with each other’s work after your individual presentations? How collaborative do you want your panel to be?

Analyze your audience

Knowing your audience is critical for any writing assignment, but conference papers are special because you will be physically interacting with them. Take a look at our handout on audience . Anticipating the needs of your listeners will help you write a conference paper that connects your specific research to their broader concerns in a compelling way.

What are the concerns of the conference?

You can identify these by revisiting the call for proposals and reviewing the mission statement or theme of the conference. What key words or concepts are repeated? How does your work relate to these larger research questions? If you choose to orient your paper toward one of these themes, make sure there is a genuine relationship. Superficial use of key terms can weaken your paper.

What are the primary concerns of the field?

How do you bridge the gap between your research and your field’s broader concerns? Finding these linkages is part of the brainstorming process. See our handout on brainstorming . If you are presenting at a conference that is within your primary field, you should be familiar with leading concerns and questions. If you will be attending an interdisciplinary conference or a conference outside of your field, or if you simply need to refresh your knowledge of what’s current in your discipline, you can:

• Read recently published journals and books, including recent publications by the conference’s featured speakers
• Talk to people who have been to the conference
• Pay attention to questions about theory and method. What questions come up in the literature? What foundational texts should you be familiar with?
• Review the initial research questions that inspired your project. Think about the big questions in the secondary literature of your field.
• Try a free-writing exercise. Imagine that you are explaining your project to someone who is in your department, but is unfamiliar with your specific topic. What can you assume they already know? Where will you need to start in your explanation? How will you establish common ground?

Contextualizing your narrow research question within larger trends in the field will help you connect with your audience.  You might be really excited about a previously unknown nineteenth-century poet. But will your topic engage others?  You don’t want people to leave your presentation, thinking, “What was the point of that?” By carefully analyzing your audience and considering the concerns of the conference and the field, you can present a paper that will have your listeners thinking, “Wow! Why haven’t I heard about that obscure poet before? She is really important for understanding developments in Romantic poetry in the 1800s!”

Writing your conference paper

I have a really great research paper/manuscript/dissertation chapter on this same topic. Should I cut and paste?

Be careful here. Time constraints and the needs of your audience may require a tightly focused and limited message. To create a paper tailored to the conference, you might want to set everything aside and create a brand new document.  Don’t worry—you will still have that paper, manuscript, or chapter if you need it. But you will also benefit from taking a fresh look at your research.

Citing sources

Since your conference paper will be part of an oral presentation, there are special considerations for citations. You should observe the conventions of your discipline with regard to including citations in your written paper. However, you will also need to incorporate verbal cues to set your evidence and quotations off from your text when presenting. For example, you can say: “As Nietzsche said, quote, ‘And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you,’ end quote.” If you use multiple quotations in your paper, think about omitting the terms “quote” and “end quote,” as these can become repetitive. Instead, signal quotations through the inflection of your voice or with strategic pauses.

Organizing the paper

There are numerous ways to effectively organize your conference paper, but remember to have a focused message that fits the time constraints and meets the needs of your audience. You can begin by connecting your research to the audience’s concerns, then share a few examples/case studies from your research, and then, in conclusion, broaden the discussion back out to general issues in the field.

Don’t overwhelm or confuse your audience

You should limit the information that you present. Don’t attempt to summarize your entire dissertation in 10 pages. Instead, try selecting main points and provide examples to support those points. Alternatively, you might focus on one main idea or case study and use 2-4 examples to explain it.

Check for clarity in the text

One way to anticipate how your ideas will sound is to read your paper out loud. Reading out loud is an excellent proofreading technique and is a great way to check the clarity of your ideas; you are likely to hear problems that you didn’t notice in just scanning your draft.  Help listeners understand your ideas by making sure that subjects and verbs are clear and by avoiding unnecessarily complex sentences.

Include verbal cues in the text

Make liberal use of transitional phrases like however, therefore, and thus, as well as signpost words like first, next, etc.

If you have 5 main points, say so at the beginning and list those 5 ideas. Refer back to this structure frequently as you transition between sections (“Now, I will discuss my fourth point, the importance of plasma”).

Use a phrase like “I argue” to announce your thesis statement. Be sure that there is only one of these phrases—otherwise your audience will be confused about your central message.

Refer back to the structure, and signal moments where you are transitioning to a new topic: “I just talked about x, now I’m going to talk about y.”

I’ve written my conference paper, now what?

Now that you’ve drafted your conference paper, it’s time for the most important part—delivering it before an audience of scholars in your field!  Remember that writing the paper is only one half of what a conference paper entails. It is both a written text and a presentation.

With preparation, your presentation will be a success. Here are a few tips for an effective presentation. You can also see our handout on speeches .

Cues to yourself

Include helpful hints in your personal copy of the paper. You can remind yourself to pause, look up and make eye contact with your audience, or employ body language to enhance your message. If you are using a slideshow, you can indicate when to change slides. Increasing the font size to 14-16 pt. can make your paper easier to read.

Practice, practice, practice

When you practice, time yourself. Are you reading too fast? Are you enunciating clearly? Do you know how to pronounce all of the words in your paper? Record your talk and critically listen to yourself. Practice in front of friends and colleagues.

If you are using technology, familiarize yourself with it. Check and double-check your images. Remember, they are part of your presentation and should be proofread just like your paper.  Print a backup copy of your images and paper, and bring copies of your materials in multiple formats, just in case.  Be sure to check with the conference organizers about available technology.

Professionalism

The written text is only one aspect of the overall conference paper. The other is your presentation. This means that your audience will evaluate both your work and you! So remember to convey the appropriate level of professionalism.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Adler, Abby. 2010. “Talking the Talk: Tips on Giving a Successful Conference Presentation.” Psychological Science Agenda 24 (4).

Kerber, Linda K. 2008. “Conference Rules: How to Present a Scholarly Paper.” The Chronicle of Higher Education , March 21, 2008. https://www.chronicle.com/article/Conference-Rules-How-to/45734 .

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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How to Prepare for a Paper Presentation at an Academic Conference

 In my previous post, I laid out a timeline for choosing an academic conference.  This post will lay out four steps to help you successfully prepare for a paper presentation at an academic conference.

Pay attention to the deadline for proposals . 

Your proposal outlines the paper you are going to write, not a paper you have written . You may treat your proposal as a commitment device to “force” you to write the paper, but the final paper may well differ from your original intention.

The Claremont Graduate University Writing Center offers some good examples of proposals here .

Write a winning abstract to get your paper accepted into the conference. 

Abstracts are an afterthought to many graduate students, but they are the what the reviewer looks at first. To get your paper accepted to a conference, you’ll need to write an abstract of 200 to 500 words .

The emphasis should be on brevity and clarity. It should tell the reader what your paper is about, why the reader should be interested, and why the paper should be accepted.

Additionally, it should:

• Specify your thesis
• Identify your paper fills a gap in the current literature.
• Outline what you actually do in the paper.
• Point out your original contribution.
• Include a concluding sentence.

Academic Conferences and Publishing International offers some additional advice on writing a conference abstract  as you prepare for your paper presentation at an academic conference.

Pay attention to your presentation itself.

In order to convey excitement about your paper, you need to think about your presentation as well as the findings you are communicating.

Note the conference time limit and stick to it. Practice while timing yourself, and do it in front of a mirror. I also recommend practicing in front of your peers; organizing a departmental brown bag lunch could be a great way to do this. As you are preparing, keep in mind that reading from notes is better than reading directly from your paper.

Once you arrive at the conference, check the location of the room as soon as you can before the event. Arrive early to make sure any audiovisual equipment you plan to use is working, and be ready to present without it in case it is not.

Always stand when giving your paper presentation at an academic conference. Begin by stating your name and institution. Establish eye contact across the room, and speak slowly and clearly to your audience. Explain the structure of your presentation. End with your contribution to your discipline. Finally, be polite (not defensive) when engaging in discussion and answering questions about your research.

By focusing on (a) making sure your work contributes something to your field (b) adhering to deadlines and convincing conference organizers that your paper is worth presenting and (c) creating a compelling presentation that aptly highlights the content of your research, you’ll make the most of your time at the conference.

Nigel Ashford

Previous post should i get a phd 5 questions to ask yourself before you decide, next post how to choose and prepare for academic conferences as a graduate student.

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How to Prepare a Paper Presentation

Last Updated: October 4, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 361,610 times.

A paper is bad enough, but presentations are even more nerve-wracking. You've got the writing down, but how do you turn it into a dynamic, informative, enjoyable presentation? Why, here's how!

Guidelines and Audience

• Know how long the speech must be.
• Know how many points you're required to cover.
• Know if you must include sources or visuals.

• If you're presenting to people you know, it'll be easy to know what to break down and what to gloss over. But if you're presenting to unknown stockholders or faculty, for instance, you need to know about them and their knowledge levels, too. You may have to break your paper down into its most basic concepts. Find out what you can about their backgrounds.

• Does the facility have a computer and projector screen?
• Is there a working WiFi connection?
• Is there a microphone? A podium?
• Is there someone who can assist you in working the equipment before your presentation?

Script and Visuals

• Only have one point per notecard -- that way you won't end up searching the notecard for your information. And don't forget to number the cards in case you get mixed up! And the points on your cards shouldn't match your paper; instead of regurgitating information, discuss why the key points of your paper are important or the different points of view on this topic within the field.

• As you go through this outline, remove any jargon if it may not be understood.

• If you won't have access to the proper technology, print visual aids on poster board or foam-core board.
• If using presentation software, use words sparingly, but enough to get your point across. Think in phrases (and pictures!), not sentences. Acronyms and abbreviations are okay on the screen, but when you talk, address them fully. And remember to use large fonts -- not everyone's vision is fantastic. [7] X Research source

• It's okay to be a bit repetitive. Emphasizing important ideas will enhance comprehension and recall. When you've gone full circle, cycle back to a previous point to lead your audience to the right conclusion.
• Minimize the unnecessary details (the procedure you had to go through, etc.) when highlighting the main ideas you want to relay. You don't want to overload your audience with fluff, forcing them to miss the important stuff.
• Show enthusiasm! A very boring topic can be made interesting if there is passion behind it.

Practice, Practice, and More Practice

• If you can grab a friend who you think has a similar knowledge level to your audience, all the better. They'll help you see what points are foggier to minds with less expertise on the topic.

• It'll also help you with volume. Some people get rather timid when in the spotlight. You may not be aware that you're not loud enough!

• Do the same with your conclusion. Thank everyone for their time and open the floor for any questions, if allowed.
• Make eye contact with people in the audience to help build your connection with them.

What Is The Best Way To Start a Presentation?

Community Q&A

• Most people get nervous while public speaking. [10] X Research source You are not alone. [11] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
• Visual aids not only help the audience, but they can help jog your memory if you forget where you are in your presentation. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Rehearse in front of a mirror before your presentation. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Answer questions only if it is related to your presentation. Keep these to the end of your talk. Thanks Helpful 76 Not Helpful 14

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• ↑ https://theihs.org/blog/prepare-for-a-paper-presentation-at-an-academic-conference/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/conference-papers/
• ↑ https://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/legislative-staff/legislative-staff-coordinating-committee/tips-for-making-effective-powerpoint-presentations.aspx
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qZMPW5g-v8
• ↑ https://twp.duke.edu/sites/twp.duke.edu/files/file-attachments/paper-to-talk.original.pdf
• ↑ http://www.cs.swarthmore.edu/~newhall/presentation.html
• ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgebradt/2014/09/10/big-presentation-dont-do-it-have-a-conversation-instead/#6d56a3f23c4b
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smashing-the-brainblocks/201711/why-are-we-scared-public-speaking
• ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/specific-phobias/expert-answers/fear-of-public-speaking/faq-20058416

About This Article

To prepare a paper presentation, create an outline of your content, then write your script on note cards or slides using software like PowerPoint. Be sure to stick to one main point per card or slide! Next, design visual aids like graphics, charts, and bullet points to illustrate your content and help the audience follow along. Then, practice giving your presentation in front of friends and family until you feel ready to do it in class! For tips on creating an outline and organizing your information, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Education and Science

What is the difference between presentation and seminar?

Seminal is a short course during which you can show more then one presentation.

For me a presentation is where you usually reveal your position on a particular subject. The expectation is that  the presenter is the expert. Questions are expected, but only at the end of the presentation. A seminar, on the otherhand, is where a group will discuss a topic or particular subject and contributions are expected throughout the procedure. It is more shared and collective.

Difference between Seminar and Presentation. Seminar is constructed on a theme whereas presentation is based on any topic. There can be a lot of presentations in a seminar. A seminar can be whole day event while a presentation is short and on specific topic. In brief, a presentation can be a subcategory of a seminar.

seminar is a scheduled presentation in which only few people of high designation are requested to speak ...rest all the students ,teachers , researchers are only allowed to ask questions in the end. while in presentation like paper presentations,picture or poster presentations..the students , researchers or there junior fellows are allowed to present and the people like judges come there to judge it and give rewards....

Excellent summation.

This was question asked to me by my teacher clearly i have got some very good answers.

Both are means of delivering information, thus tools for 'learning'. Both can be delivered by one or more speakers, and are derivatives of lecturing, and often boring. A narrow topic presentation is usually fact-filled and as such contains the ‘meat’ of the topic sandwich. Al Gore is an example through his presentation of “Climate Change”, which is often excerpted within green technology seminars and conferences. The hierarchy of oral delivery of information can be described as discussion groups (moderator, open floor or table discussions), presentations (narrow topic, usually single expert speaker, audience participation usually reserved to the end), lectures (single expert speaker, Q&A at the end), seminar (wider topic, one or more expert speakers, audience participation throughout the seminar), and conference (widest topic, containing multiple discussion groups, presentations, lectures, and seminars, often concurrently). None of these terms have precise definitions, and vary considerably by context. For example, a seminar has a different meaning in the professional trades and academia, and even from one university to another. Presentations are even less well defined because they can be used to inform, as described above, or to persuade as in a sales presentation, or to influence, as in a political candidate’s presentation of views.

Presentation is a gift and seminar is a conversation.

I believe a presentation is something in which a speaker presents an idea or product to a group of people. A seminar is more of a discussion regarding a topic.

A presentation requires you to address a gathering of people and speak your mind whereas a seminar requires you to have more interactions. A presentation is usually done alone whereas a seminar often has a panel of speakers.

Presentation means showing a topic on a screen Seminar means spelling out the topic with and without screen

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• Elementary Electronic Questions

Difference between a Seminar and a Paper Presentation..

• Thread starter purifier
• Start date Jan 14, 2005
• Jan 14, 2005

Full Member level 4

seminar presentation format I constantly hear people telling me that they are preparing for a Seminar Presentation or Paper Presentation... Can someone please tell me what is the basic difference between these two? If there is a difference, how do i write my own paper...Of course i'm a beginner in electronics so i'll not be putting my own ideas... Our college has an event organized by the IEEE and it has paper presentation contests... And i'm here without a single clue about those Paper Presentations...  

Advanced Member level 4

difference between seminar and presentation I think it is the same one,can not find the difference  

Advanced Member level 7

difference between seminar and paper presentation Try this: **broken link removed** Maybe there you will find an answer you are after....  

difference between paper presentation and seminar Thanks IanP.... That was useful but all the papers contained there are general... Can anyone tell me how to write a paper for IEEE?  

academic seminar presentation format You can find some presentations trough Google: "IEEE+presentation and just follow examples (obviously with your ideas, drawings, graphs etc). One is here: **broken link removed**  

Full Member level 2

difference between seminar presentation Hi Paper preparation has in general huge variation depending on the publishing source. IEEE is well known for its high standard and thereby tough review. Each publisher has in principle its own 'guide for authors', but they seem to be quite similar. A seminar presentation can be anything and you are usually free to define your own se-up as long as you focus on the right subject. A.T.B  

Advanced Member level 2

purifier said: Thanks IanP.... That was useful but all the papers contained there are general... Can anyone tell me how to write a paper for IEEE? Click to expand...

serminar presentation formats That was really useful.... I'm still a beginner in the field of electronics so i'll just read everything provided here...  

• Mar 4, 2007

maharshi_qis

Full member level 5.

format paper presentation i think both r same except a monor difference interms of process,methodology..  

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