Study Skills for Effe ctive Learn ing
Making Presentations
Sometimes you must make a presentation to an audience and will probably feel anxious about it. However be confident. Adrenalin sharpens your abilities. Anxieties are eased with practice as and you develop your verbal and non-verbal communication skills. If you have done your preparation - you will know more than your audience.
Planning, preparation and practice are crucial.
Planning a Talk involves
- Deciding what you want to talk to the audience about (clear objectives)
- Considering what your audience will want to get out of it (the results)
- Considering what you will want to get out of it (your results particularly if the presentation is being assessed)
- The points will you want to put over - the main headings and components points and their sequence
- How these points can be put over best?
Preparation includes
Sequencing your ideas Use a similar structure as for planning an essay introduction, main body, conclusion/summary, but remember you need to make contact with your audience to gain and maintain their interest. Try and involve them, you will enjoy yourself more and so will they.
- scheduling your artwork, slide and /or handout preparation
- obtaining/rehearsing with OHP, equip't. Checking screen, room layout etc.
- inviting members of audience eg your client.
- use prompt cards or the Presentation outline form,
- use you OHP slides to structure and sequence your talk
- Don't write out the talk. Reading from a script kills your voice and blocks contact with your audience!
Beginning
Remember
- Be yourself: enthusiasm and interest are infectious
- Involve the audience - look at them. Use your natural presence.
- Don't talk to the wall or to your shoes. Nervousness is a feeling - it usually doesn't show.
- Take a calm sip of water. Smile.
- Don't be obsequious or fauning (too much thanks and praise of your audience).
- Get confidence from your preparation but beware of TOO MUCH preparation.
- Get the audience attention - introduce yourself and your topic. Apply the rule
First you tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em
Then you tell 'em
Then you tell 'em what you've told 'emOutline the talk - what is it about and what will be the main structure. Note any treats in store or questions which may raise
Above all make the beginning clear.
- Apply the KISS principle (keep it simple - stupid). Don't hurry - start and continue at an even pace.
- Decide on taking questions during or after the talk. Explain this and stick to it politely and reasonably
The Middle
- Remember how people absorb information and get tired.
- Change the cadences of your voice.
- Involve the audience with your smile.
- Use your visual and other media to provide sequence and structure.
- Plan your timing - allow enough time. Don't rush when you are over-running - SUMMARISE and STOP. Any matters not covered can be the subject of questions.
Use of Media
Visual materials will illustrate the points you are making. Plan to use flip-charts and OHP slides handouts -before, during or after the talk models experiments discussion - large or small groups questionsThe Overhead Projector (0HP) is useful for this:
- AVOID putting too much information on an OHP slide
- ensure the "point" size of text can be seen by your audience
- your slides should ne clean, no spelling errors etc
- DON'T use too many
Watch how other people use the 0HP and learn from them.
Question/Answer Stage
- Change your position, move towards your audience but maintain eye contact with everyone.
- Ask for comments and seek clarification if you do not understand a question.
- Bring your audience into the discussion and control the discussion questioning to keep questions broadly on the subject
- If you really don't know the answer to a question - - SAY SO - note the question and agree that you will bring an answer to the question subsequently.
- To close the questioning session ask for one or two final questions
Wind Up
Summarise the outline of the talk. Finish on a high note.
Assessment of PresentationsEnsure you know what assessment criteria are being used and the standard required (e.g.
Many of the criteria are indicated above - note assessment of the following
- Novice Semester 1 Level or
- Professional Semester 4/6.
- content of the presentation - the facts and critical issues raised.
- Their sequence, explanation and the logic of the argument. The content reveals the depth of investigation and familiarity with the subject matter.
- Skill of presentation itself.
- Your public speaking skills: pace, voice (projection and cadence), your gestures and irritants
- ability to communicate to an audience.
- Building of rapport, projection of warmth, confidence
- handling of questions.
- Use of media aids to deliver your session
Some key points of assessment may emerge from processes you generate in the presentation e.g. your creativity and sensitivity to the audience. Be aware of who is in the audience and their critical focus .
Team PresentationsIf you are asked to make a team presentation
- co-ordinate your activities to ensure that the presentation is a team effort and not a series, of individual presentations. Appoint an anchor person.
- prepare your stage. Ensure all team members have a seat. Rehearse each person's use of the OHP. Stress that non-active team members should avoid Pffaffing! Agree a 'you're time is up' signal.
- GET EVERYONE THERE!. There will be an expectation that each member's contribution in preparation and in the presentation itself can be clearly identified and is sufficient for an assessment to be made.
Study Skills Index
© This resource was developed by C. Jarvis.