Presentation skills (for sharing)

Select a topic and a clear purpose -

• Brainstorm a list of topics that you know and care about.

• Choose 1 topic from the list. – If topic is too broad, narrow it down by

brainstorming again. – Try brainstorming questions your audience

might have.

• Determine your purpose: to inform/teach or persuade/convince. – Write it down as a purpose statement and try to

make it more specific: I want to teach my audience how to make a very good oral presentation by breaking the process down into easy steps

Analyze your audience and keep their needs in mind as you design your talk.

• Find out who they are or the type of people they are.

• Determine their attitude to the topic and to you (positive/negative)

• Estimate their knowledge about the topic (novice______expert)

Gather ideas on your topic to meet your audience's needs and your purpose.

• Research in the library and in the Internet. Be sure to acknowledge your sources.

• Interview experts on the topic.• Share your relevant experiences.

Organize your ideas in chunks of information (main points)

• Categorize and label ideas• Develop a few main points relating to your

purpose (3-5)• Map or outline your ideas in a hierarchy (tree)

Prepare your presentation and outline

• Develop points orally or in point form on paper

• Write out your introduction and conclusion. – Intro should create interest, reveal topic, and

preview main points. – Conclusion sums up by repeating main points and

suggesting implications or action for the audience

Strategies for Beginning a Presentation

Story/anecdoteRhetorical questionJokeStarting factOverview of sessionRecap previous session and link to yours

Which one to use?

RelevantConsistent with overall purpose of presentationComfort zone

ELEMENTS OF A GOOD PRESENTOR

Self-management VoicePostureLanguage

Rapport with participants

Encourage learninglistening; acknowledging

Respect for the individualGenuine concern for the

participants’ learning needs

Content and process managementKnowledge of the subject matterPreparation; resourcefulnessQuick-thinkingBalancing depth/breadth of scope;

time; learning capacity

NON-VERBALS/ BODY LANGUAGE

PostureStand erect, relaxed, with weight on

both feetAvoid leaning and slouchingStanding on one foot or on your heels or

feet wide apart may be received negatively

POSITIVE BODY SIGNALS

Stillness of hands and feetOpen palm gesturesLeaning forward but chest outStanding comfortablyAngling the body in the direction of the

person

NEGATIVE BODY SIGNALS

• Nervous mannerisms• Playing with objects and personal effects• Affectations• Drawing attention to your sexuality• Pointing at people• Touching the face

VOICE

SOME BASIC PRINCIPLES OF VOICE WORKS• Use diaphragmatic and abdominal control• Focus• Keep your pitch low• Keep your cheeks up; mouth widened a bit

CARE FOR YOUR VOICE

• Avoid cold liquids or drinks with caffeine• Avoid mints or food with sugar• Avoid food and drinks with lactose

“Turn offs”

• Using clichés• Sermonizing/patronizing the audience• Lengthy presentations• Offensive humor or remarks• Being unprepared• Distractive mannerisms

LANGUAGE

• Use common language/dialect* Technical terms* Acronyms* Idioms; slang* High-sounding words

• Caution on offending words/illustrations

POINTERS FOR USING VISUALS

• Talk to the audience.• Ensure everyone can see visuals.• Dim lights for slides.• Turn off/cover slide when talking about a

topic not on the slide.

POINTERS FOR VISUAL AIDS

• Needed in the topic• Easy to read and understand

• Be prepared to go without technology support.

• Keep it simple

SLIDE PRESENTATION POINTERS

1. Know your topic.2. Use key phrases about your topic.3. Limit the number of slides4. Lay-out of slide should be easy to the

eyes.5. Avoid fancy fonts.

6. Use contrasting colors for text and background.

7. Use a standard template design for consistency.

8. Use animations, transitions, sound effects sparingly.

ENDING THE PRESENTATION Summarize, synthesize.

Go back to your objectives. Reinforce key messages. End on a positive note.

X Whimper toward the end.X Fizzle out.X Fade.X Lose energy.

CONCLUSION 

• Good preparation makes you confident and results in a good talk, so prepare your talk and then practice your delivery:– choose a topic and get started early– determine a clear purpose and plan to fulfill it– know your audience and keep them in mind as you

gather ideas and organize them into clear, separate points

– rehearse your talk often using a speech outline (DON'T READ IT)

• Good preparation and practice will reduce your anxiety.

Reference:http://learning.concordia.ca/Help/handouts/ Oral%20Presentations/How_to_Prepare.shtml