PRESENTATION TIPS

Delivery

• Don't talk with your back to the audience (at least, not too often).
• Sustain eye contact with the audience as much as you can.
• You should, in general, stand still. Don't pace or shuffle your feet.
• Know your audience and their background (level of discussion).
• Avoid blocking the screen.
• Use your hand or pointer and point to items of interest on the screen.
• Do not, in general, cover half your transparency to create suspense. For some people, this technique only creates annoyance.
• Gesticulate for emphasis only.
• Pace your delivery. Don't worry about awkward silences; they are never as awkward to the audience as they seem to you, the speaker.
• Silence is, in fact, useful when asking a question.
  Question ... Pause ... Answer
  Gives audience time to think of an answer themselves.
• Vocal delivery also affects attentiveness.
  Speak normally, then at crucial point lower voice or speak slower.
• Introductions and Conclusions are the most important.
  Research shows audiences listen more at the beginning and end of a presentation.
• Above all, try to appear relaxed. Never let them see you sweat!

Transparencies

• Never clutter or crowd a slide (list essentials only). Thumb rule: 5-7 items per slide; each item 3-5 words long.
• Never write full sentences on a slide: use keywords or brief phrases. You should, however, speak in full sentences.
• Make your transparencies interesting and easy to read. Use boldface, italics, etc. for emphasis.
• Use visual aids whenever useful: tables, figures, graphs.
• Organize your material carefully. Spend a good time planning the transparencies.
• Proofread again and again for correctness!

Creating an Outline

• Outlines are helpful in planning a paper or a talk.
• The outline is not usually the first step, although it is often thought to be.
• First part of planning process are asking these three questions:

  1. What is the subject?

  2. What is the purpose of the talk/paper?
           Purpose is not "passing a course"!
           Focus on what you will describe--what you want to show or explain.

  3. Who will be the audience?

• Once questions are answered, then create an outline:
  1. Decide upon a tentative title. (Flashy titles are better!)
           Title may change after information for talk/paper gathered.
  2. Introduction: State theme and purpose clearly so audience knows your intentions.
  3. Body of the Presentation: General and specific points that will be discussed.
  4. Summary.

  Format of Outlines:

  • Preliminary: "scratch" outline of possible topics.
    No order necessary as you are the only one likely to see your outline.
  • Outline Styles: Most common outlines are by topics.
    Usually list information in brief phrases (no punctuation).

Confidence

The following suggestions are for developing confidence. For more information, see books by Dale Carnegie.

• Get the facts about fear of speaking in public:
  You are not unique in your fear of speaking in public.
  A certain amount of stage fright is useful!
  Professional speakers even state that they never completely lose all stage fright.
  The chief cause of your fear is simple that you are unaccustomed to speaking in public.

• Prepare in the proper way:
  Never memorize a talk word for word.
  Assemble and arrange your ideas beforehand.
  Rehearse your talk (and questions) with your friends.
  Practice with a timer.

• Decide in your mind to succeed.
  Lose yourself in your subject.
  Keep your attention off negative stimuli that may upset you.
  Give yourself a pep talk.

• Act confident.

Miscellaneous

• Be eager to share your talk with your listeners.
• Identify yourself with the audience.
• Restrict your subject to fit the time at your disposal.
• Converse with your audience.
• Put your heart into your speaking.

• Get attention immediately
  Begin with an example or incident.
  Arouse suspense.
  State an arresting fact.
  Ask for a show of hands. (Warn the audience beforehand.)
  Promise to tell the audience how they can get something they want.

• Avoid getting unfavorable attention.
  Do not open with an apology.
  Avoid the "funny" story opening.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!