How to present a scientific journal article

Table of Contents

Finally! You have published your research in that journal you always aimed for. After so much time spent researching, writing, reviewing and being evaluated by professors, experts, and peers, we are sorry to say the effort might not be over…That’s right, it’s time to present it to an audience. Actually, to be invited to talk about your research is a good sign. It means it is generating interest among people, and they want to hear more from you.

But presenting scientific work comes with great responsibility, especially after a successful publication, because there is the expectation to be as good as the published article. It is important to know how to convey your ideas as clearly and concisely as possible, keeping high levels of interest and scientific accuracy at the same time. If you are unsure about performing this task, don’t worry. You are not alone and there is plenty of help available.

Author Services Needed?

Author services, such as what we offer at Elsevier, may just be the breath of fresh air you need. Our professional team of native English speakers, text editors and illustrators can help you come up with the perfect scientific presentation; no matter the audience or context. Because we know that bringing science to people through presentations is part of a successful career, we not only make sure the article publishing process runs smoothly but also how it comes alive to live audiences. You just need to identify some fundamental issues before we take care of all the rest:

Who are you speaking to? Knowing your audience is the first step to conveying your message successfully. Is your audience made of experts in your research field or is it a more heterogeneous group?
Work on a presentation flow. Make sure your audience follows your stream-of-thought in every stage of the presentation. The problem, process and results should be clearly identified throughout the presentation.
Engage the audience. Think of ways to keep your presentation interesting and memorable. Include charts, figures and stunning infographics to show important data. Consider audience interaction opportunities, as well.

See some more tips for giving a good scientific presentation.

Scientific Presentations: the two most common types:

Written Scientific Presentation: It might happen that sooner or later you will need to adapt your research paper or article to another written format, like a poster or a website. In this case, the major issue you will have to address is that your work has to be self-explanatory, leaving no room for doubts or misconceptions. References and key terms should never be forgotten or illegible and images must mention their source due to copyright and intellectual property laws. Remember that bringing your work to a more general audience makes it more susceptible to being copied and used in ways you cannot control. Addressing all these “minor” issues might be tricky, so we recommend Elsevier’s text editing services to help you fit your presentation into the target written format you need.
Live Scientific Presentation: This might be the most nerve wracking type of scientific presentation for most researchers, because you have to be face-to-face with an audience. Inevitably, individual skills, like public speaking, a strong stage presence, and the ability to improvise all play a huge part in a live presentation. But look at the bright side, your research is getting some serious attention. Plus, nowadays, there are many ways to keep the audience’s attention more focused on the screen (and your research) and less on you. Add interesting multimedia content and use your speaking time to complement what is on screen rather than duplicate information. Unlike a written presentation, you have the chance to clarify or underline information that might not reach your target properly. Remember to keep a good balance between images, oral information, and text; the latter should be clear and easy to read. For instance, use bullet points, tables and concise statements as much as possible.

Illustration Services by Author Services:

With the increase of published scientific research, it’s getting harder and harder to get your manuscript noticed. High-quality illustrations within your paper can help you in the submission service, and they engage readers once your paper is published. Academic infographics can help you make an impact with your publication on social media and beyond. With Elsevier’s Illustration services, you can work with our experts. The Elsevier team can turn your ideas into professional illustrations that help you make an impact.

Scientific Illustrations: Graphics and illustrations can be a powerful way to communicate your work. From protein structures to process flowcharts, illustrations give readers an intuitive insight into your research, helping them understand concepts, determine their relevance and build upon them.
- Get access to Elsevier’s network of scientific, medical and technical illustrators
- Services designed especially for researchers
- Free quote in 24 hours
- Easy preview mechanism lets you communicate directly with the illustrator
- Get inspiration from our image gallery

Find more about Scientific illustration

Academic infographic: The academic infographic is a popular way to present scientific findings. Tell your story visually to promote your research via social media, through newsrooms or at conferences.
- Let Elsevier’s illustrators turn your research into a simple and compelling visual story
- Free quote in 24 hours
- Lead the process with your input and ideas
- Easy preview mechanism lets you communicate directly with the illustrator
- Get inspiration from our image gallery

Our Scientific Illustration Services transform your ideas into professional illustrations.
And our Academic Infographic Service visualizes your research and helps you share it with a wider audience.
With more than a hundred years of experience in publishing, Elsevier is trusted by millions of authors around the world.