3 Basics of Giving a Presentation

The following are 3 essential keys in which everyone giving a presentation or speech should remember.

1. Structure

Each presentation should have 3 parts:

i. Introduction – It introduces the main topic of the presentation. It is also used to introduce

the audience to the key/main points within the topic.

ii. Body – The body will include as many sections as there are key points. For example, if my

topic is “My Hobbies” and I will talk about 3 hobbies (key points) then the body will have 3

sections in which I give details about each hobby.

iii. Conclusion – This is used to thank the audience for their time, to signal the end of the

presentation, and to summarize the key points. Often, the speaker gives an opinion relevant

to the topic or poses a “to think about” question or comment at the end, but these are not

necessities.

2. Mannerisms

A well prepared presentation with an excellent structure can be ruined if the speaker has poor

mannerisms while presenting.

The speaker should:

i. Have good eye contact about 80% of the time. (Don’t look at the same students!)

ii. Move! (You are not a statue! Also, do not stand behind a podium, you are not a preacher or

a president.)

iii. No nervous movements (ladies – playing with their hair; men – tapping their feet or hands

against their legs)

3. Note cards

A presentation is not a memorization exercise. When giving a presentation or speech you should

have note cards. These note cards should contain notes, not sentences, to aid you while speaking.

In other words, to help you remember key points, details, or any other specifics.

WARNING!!!! – Note cards should not be read! They should be glanced at. The rule of thumb for

using note cards is: If you have to read your notes then your notecards are hindering, not helping,

your presentation. If you have to read the note and think about it, you didn’t practice (rehearse)

enough!

When preparing note cards you should:

i. Write large enough that you can glance at the note and remember what it’s about

ii. Leave enough space between notes so you will not get them confused.

iii. Use as many as you need but do not read!

The most important part of giving a good presentation is…

Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice!