\documentclass{slides}
\usepackage[dvips]{graphics}
\usepackage{color}
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\begin{document}
\newcommand{\slitit}[1]{
\begin{center}
 \fbox{\colorbox{grey}{\textbf{\large #1}}}
\end{center}}

\begin{slide}
\slitit{Research Skills: Verbal}
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% \begin{slide}
% \begin{center}
%  \fcolorbox{black}{grey}{\textbf{\large Research Skills: Verbal}}
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\begin{itemize}
\item Injecting enthusiasm probably won't do any harm.
\item Appropriate metaphors are worth their weight in gold.
\item Before using a clich\'e, run it up the flagpole and see if anybody
      salutes.
\item There is no place for overemphasis, whatsoever.
\item Finish your point on an up-beat note, unless you can't think of one.
\end{itemize}

\end{slide}

\begin{slide}
\slitit{Research Skills: Written}
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%  \textbf{\large Research Skills: Written}
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\begin{description}
\item[a)] Many readers assume that a word will not assume two meanings in the
          same sentence.
\item[b)] If you can't afford a book on grammar, at least find someone to lend
          one off.
\item[c)] It has been suggested that some words are absolute, not relative.
          This is very true.
\item[d)] In terms of writing convoluted sentences, don't.
\end{description}

\textbf{N.B.}\\ 
\textit{A strong ending is the last thing you need.}
\end{slide}

\begin{slide}
\slitit{Research Skills: Technical}
% \begin{center}
% \textbf{\large Research Skills: Technical}
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\begin{enumerate}
\item It can be shown that you shouldn't miss out too many details.
\item Some writers introduce a large number, $N$, of unnecessary symbols.
\item Use mathematical jargon iff it is absolutely necessary.
\item And avoid math symbols unless $\exists$ a good reason.
\item Restrict your hyphen-usage.
\item Learn one new maths word every day, and you'll soon find
      your vocabulary growing exponentially.
\end{enumerate}

\end{slide}

\begin{slide}
\slitit{Research Skills: Evaluation}
% \begin{center}
% \textbf{\large Research Skills: Evaluation}
%\end{center}

\[
\mathrm{Impressiveness} =  F^2 C_e \log(C_n) \int_0^T X(t)^2 G(t) \, dt,
\]
where
\begin{itemize}
\item $F$:  total funding,
\item $C_e$:  \# experimental constants,
\item $C_n$:  \# numerically computed constants,
\item $X(t)$: \# research students at time $t$,
\item $G(t)$: \texttt{Gigaflop} rate at time $t$.
\end{itemize}

\end{slide}

\end{document}