TEN "DO'S AND DON'TS" FOR A STUDENT PREPARING
A PRESENTATION
PRACTICAL HINTS FOR GIVING AN ORAL
PRESENTATION
GENERAL
POINTS
Remember you must keep to the allotted time.
Plan to rehearse your presentation! It is very easy to misjudge
timing unless you have had a full scale rehearsal.
Think about the most appropriate format for your presentation.
For example: would a PowerPoint slide show be more effective
than a lecture? Do you need to display or circulate props?
Should a Q&A session be included, or can you involve the
audience in some other way?
MAINTAINING
INTEREST
Avoid simply reading out an essay. You may want to rely on
a script, but remember one task is to maintain the interest
of the audience. Your own experience will tell you that listening
to someone reading for eight minutes is not very exciting.
Vary the tone of your voice.
Avoid speaking too quickly.
Maintain eye contact with people in all parts of the room.
Smile.
Be mobile if not too nervous; if stationary do not slouch
or lean on the wall or table.
Avoid doing things which distract the audience, e.g.
chewing gum.
USE
OF AUDIO VISUAL AIDS
Visual aids must be clear to all of the room. Check
that the font size of any slide or projected transparency
will be visible to people in the back of the room. If using
a word processor to prepare these, a font size of 16 pt or
above is recommended.
Slides are best used to display a few headings rather
than the whole text of what you are going to say. Think of
them as key points which you can use as prompts. Do not simply
read the material off the slide: supplement or explain what
is written.
Sketches, cartoons, maps, diagrams are all good visual
aids; they also tend to hold interest better than text.
Overhead transparencies are best written in dark or
black pen; only show the relevant section, gradually uncover
as talk progresses; switch off projector when not in use.
If you need to use equipment, check whether it will
be in the room. Otherwise, will you need to borrow it, eg
from the library? Will you need extra power leads or power
boards as well? Are all projection globes working? Make arrangements
well ahead and check the equipment and your A/V aids before
the presentation session.
Finally
It is inevitable that you will be nervous but remember that
everyone will be involved. Try to approach presentations as
a team. You will obviously support your partner if you have
one, but also support others whilst they are giving their
presentations: listen and signal that you are listening; so
that you know what is going on and can join in the discussion.