Effective Presentations SkillsStudy Skills -- Sept 22, 2008Alfrina Hany

ObjectivesStudents are able to do an effective presentation

Great speakers arent born, they are trained.Presenting is a SkillDeveloped through experienceand training.

Source: http://www.hplearningcenter.com

What is an Effective Presentation?PresentationSomething set forth to an audience for the attention of the mind

Effectiveproducing a desired result

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

Effective PresentationsAudience CenteredAccomplishes ObjectiveFun For AudienceFun For YouConducted Within Time FrameControl Anxiety Dont Fight It

Presentation Skills

PlanningPreparationPracticePerformanceQuestions

Planning Your PresentationWhy are you talking to them?Determine purposesWho are you talking to?Success depends on your ability to reach your audience.SizeDemographicsKnowledge LevelMotivation

Planning A PresentationWhen is the Day and Time? Any dayAM/PMHow long have you got?Where is the place?Seating arrangements/How manyAudio visual equipments

More Planning What story are you going to tell?Determine Main Points (2-5)Prepare Outline- Keyword reminder- Conversational flow- Flexibility- Responsive to audiences

Preparing An Effective Visual AidsSupplement presentationOutline of main pointsServe audiences needs, not speakersSimple and clear

PowerPoint Slides, Overhead Trans, Graphs/Charts, Pictures, Films/Video, Flip Charts, and Sketches

Main Point 1: The Purpose of Using Visual AidsVisual aids support your ideas and improve audience comprehension of your presentationVisual aids add variety to your presentation by giving the audience a break from listening and letting the see somethingVisual aids help illustrate complex ideas or concepts and are helpful in reinforcing your ideas

Visual AidsImprove comprehensionAdd varietyIllustrate complex ideas

Preparing An Effective Visual AidsOutline and sketch slides Prepare slides Proof read Prepare notes - brief keywords and phrases, except maybe first couple of paragraphs

Preparation - Outline1 - 2 minutes per slide

Generic 15 min Conference Presentation

Title Slide (1) Title, author, affiliation, acknowledgementsRationale (1-2) Why this is interestingMethods (1-2) What you didResults (2-4) What did you find and what does it meanSummary (1) One thing you want them to remember

Preparation-SlidesUse Images/Graphics- Relevant images communicate- Maintain interestBe Visible- Titles should be 38-44 pt. font size- Text should be 28 pt font size- Use color wiselyContrasting colors

Practising EffectivelyPractice, Practice, PracticeIt makes you PerfectGet feedback, and use it

Performing A PresentationIntroduce Yourself Why Should They ListenGet attention, make a good impresion, introduce the topic- Humour- Short story- Games

#2 Clearly Defining TopicIf InformativeClear parameters for content within timeIf PersuasiveWhats the problemWho caresWhats the solutionOverview

#3..Presenting Main PointsSupporting EvidenceExamplesFeedback & Questions From AudienceAvoid distracting mannerismsRelax, be enthusiasticMake eye contactKeep an eye on the time remaining

#4..ConcludingInform audience that youre about to closeSummarize main pointsSomething to remember or call-to-actionAnswer questionsTell em What You Told em.

QuestioningAnticipate likely questions and prepare extra slides with the answers

Paraphrase questions1. so that other people hear the question2. to check you understand the questions3. to stall while you think about an answer

If you dont know the answer, say so.- Offer to find out.- Ask the audience

Presentation Style3 ElementsVocal TechniquesLoudnessPitchRatePauseDeviations From the Norm for Emphasis

Presentation Style (cont)3 ElementsBody Language Eye Contact, Gestures, Posture

Use of SpaceCan Everyone See You?Movement

Common ProblemsVerbal fillersUm, uh, likeAny unrelated word or phraseSwaying, rocking, and pacingHands in pocketsLip smackingFidgetingFailure to be audience-centered

5 Presentation TipsSmileBreatheWaterNotesFinish On Or Under Time

SummaryEffective presentationIts ComponentsPresentation StyleCommon Problems5 Tips

Like most things, the best way to learn is to doThank You