Presentation Skills - Part 1
Contents

Part 1

PRACTICAL HINTS FOR GIVING AN ORAL PRESENTATION

GENERAL POINTS
MAINTAINING INTEREST
USE OF AUDIO VISUAL AIDS

Part 2

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. 

[On to Part 2]