Presentation Skills: Presentation Skills: The Do’s & Don’tsThe Do’s & Don’ts

Overview Overview

PurposePurpose

(Why we give presentations)(Why we give presentations)

Structure Structure

(How we give presentations)(How we give presentations)

Preparation Preparation

(What do we need to do before a presentation)(What do we need to do before a presentation)

Let’s start with the purpose …Let’s start with the purpose …

The objective of the presentation is to transmit The objective of the presentation is to transmit information and opinions to an audience in your information and opinions to an audience in your own words, within a limited amount of time. own words, within a limited amount of time.

Tell the audience what Tell the audience what Say it Say it Tell the Tell the audience what you are going to say audience what you are going to say you you saidsaid

There are different ways of delivering a presentation, There are different ways of delivering a presentation, but the most effective and easiest to do well follows but the most effective and easiest to do well follows this simple rule:this simple rule:

In order to follow this rule, there are certain structures In order to follow this rule, there are certain structures that are commonly used when giving presentations.that are commonly used when giving presentations.

Structure of a presentation Structure of a presentation

ACADEMIC SKILL TIP: USEFUL LANGUAGE FOR PRESENTATIONSACADEMIC SKILL TIP: USEFUL LANGUAGE FOR PRESENTATIONS

1. Introducing1. Introducing e.g.e.g. Good morning, I’d like to welcome Good morning, I’d like to welcome you all here today.you all here today.

2. Statement of intent2. Statement of intent e.g. The purpose of this talk is to e.g. The purpose of this talk is to update you on …update you on …

3. Sequencing3. Sequencing e.g. We can break this area down into e.g. We can break this area down into the following fields: ...the following fields: ...

4. Summarising4. Summarising e.g. To sum up…e.g. To sum up…

5.a)Inviting others to contribute5.a)Inviting others to contribute e.g. So that explains our main point. e.g. So that explains our main point. Does anyone have any comments or Does anyone have any comments or questions?questions?

5.b)5.b)Responding to feedbackResponding to feedback e.g. That’s a (very) good question. Let e.g. That’s a (very) good question. Let me answer that like this …me answer that like this …

Preparation neededPreparation needed

Define presentation task

What is the purpose of the presentation?What is the purpose of the presentation?

Who is the audience?Who is the audience?

How long will the presentation be?How long will the presentation be?

What aids are available?What aids are available?

How long have you got to prepare?How long have you got to prepare?

What will your topic be?What will your topic be?

Preparation neededPreparation needed

Generate ideas

What is interesting about this topic?What is interesting about this topic?

What would the audience like to know?What would the audience like to know?

What research has been done about this topic?What research has been done about this topic?

What are the main stream and alternative views of this What are the main stream and alternative views of this topic?topic?

Where do you stand on this topic and how will you Where do you stand on this topic and how will you support it?support it?

What is controversial about it?What is controversial about it?

What is surprising to you about the topic?What is surprising to you about the topic?

Preparation neededPreparation needed

Collect information

What important gaps are there in your knowledge?What important gaps are there in your knowledge?

Where does your argument seem weakest?Where does your argument seem weakest?

What important information do you need to develop What important information do you need to develop your ideas?your ideas?

What could be the most valuable source of information What could be the most valuable source of information and ideas on the topic?and ideas on the topic?

Preparation neededPreparation needed

Draft outline

How many major points can the audience take in the How many major points can the audience take in the time limit?time limit?

What are the most important points you need to get What are the most important points you need to get across?across?

What is the best order for them?What is the best order for them?

What would be an effective opening?What would be an effective opening?

How will you conclude?How will you conclude?

Is the overall structure clear and logical?Is the overall structure clear and logical?

Hint: use cue cards to prepare your notes

Preparation neededPreparation needed

Rehearse and evaluate

Did you manage to complete the presentation in time?Did you manage to complete the presentation in time?

Did you hold the audience’s interest?Did you hold the audience’s interest?

Was the audience able to follow the presentation?Was the audience able to follow the presentation?

If asked questions, could you answer them?If asked questions, could you answer them?

What to do now...What to do now...

The Do’s…

Define your task

Generate ideas

Do research

Make a draft of presentation

Practise

The Don’ts…

Write a script for presentation

Memorise

Rely too much on your notes

Panic

Success!