Things to think about as you are getting ready to make a presentation in front of your class, or in any public setting.

1. Presentation Do’s and Don’ts Utilising Graphic Materials (audio and/or
visual)
Visual materials must serve a purpose. They
Know Your Materials should illuminate some aspect of the issue or
(a) Avoid Reading Off: You should be off- move the discussion forward. They should be
script so to speak. Reading from your notes relevant and timely. Also, some information
verbatim does not a presentation make! Your is best presented in visual form. Here I am
job is to become the “expert” on your (limited) referring, in particular to alot of the data that
subject matter. You should be able to speak was rhymed off in a number of the
to the audience knowledgeably with minimum presentations. Turning the data into simple
reference to your notes. This also includes graphics (maps, charts, graphs) and then
knowing how to pronounce the vocabulary speaking to the patterns and trends that can
that is included in (relevant to) your be observed will aid retention on the part of
presentation. the audience.
(b) Use Your Own Words: Beware that Be Prepared!
you are not simply parroting a website The Boy Scout motto - Be Prepared - applies
(including their own self aggrandizing well here. You must know, in advance, what
promotional materials). The text of your audio-visual materials you are using and when
presentation should sound like you. While you are using them. They must be pre-loaded
we’re on the subject of language, you must on the computer, or hotlinked on a flash drive
eliminate all “garbage language” from your file, so they are ready to go to when necessary.
presentation vocabulary - the ah’s, uhm’s, Under no circumstances should there be
like’s, etc. surfing going on, on screen, behind a speaker.
This is a huge distraction and takes away from
Reading Off Screen their hard work and effort.
An extension of the above noted point.
Neither should you be reading verbatim off Speed... Slow Down!
the screen at the front of the class. This Speed bump ahead! Whoa Nellie! Make sure
naturally leads into the following point... that you speak at a pace that your audience
can follow. This is especially important if/
The Dangers of Power Point where/when you are dealing with information
As I cautioned before the presentations that includes lots of statistics and (random)
began... Beware! Beware falling into the trap facts. What exactly are you expecting your
of putting everything you want to say on the audience to take in? If you want them to
screen and simply reading it off. It’s called remember particular stats/facts then they
Power Point for a reason... must be provided an opportunity to note and
digest that information... and/or provide it on
Voice, Body Stance and Positioning the summary handout.
Your voice and body stance should reflect your
interest and enthusiasm in the subject matter Be Specific
(fake it if you have none). Further your should Giving us the big picture is great... But,
be positioned so that you are facing the there’s a but! At some point you have to get
audience. You should not be presenting your specific. For instance, listing the basic
back to anyone in your audience. Neither principles or goals of some programme or
should you be positioned such that you are in another is a good starting point, but you need
front of, or blocking, another group member to also provide clear description of what the
while they are speaking to the audience. goal/principle means in plain English as well
as concrete examples of how (they plan) to
achieve these principles or goals.

2. The Comprehension Check (the quizlet or Presentations TIPS!!
whatever it is)
This was supposed to be able to be handed in · question and reason with the class
for evaluation... after you marked it. The · explain points clearly until understood
questions asked were to assess their · use many and varied visual aids
understanding of the key issues, not test · work with answers given by audience -
whether or not your audience members had even when not exactly what you were
taken in a random sampling of numerical looking for
facts (which they’d have been hard pressed to · be well organised
have done with the speed many were · clear speech - enunciate each word slowly
motoring along at!) Also, the intent was not and clearly
that they be the equivalent of open book... i.e. · vary the tone and pitch of your
don’t tell them the answers are on the presentation... lose the MONOTONE!!
handout, and let them look at it. · know material by heart... DO NOT read
off your notes
Mind Your Timing · become an expert on your particular
Do a run through of your presentation in topic... exudes confidence
advance... either individually or as a group. · relax, slow down... don’t rush and stutter
You must mind the time. There are a and stumble for words
specified number of people who have to speak · vary the pace and structure of your
in a specified period of time. If you take more presentation... keep audience interest
than your share you create a time crunch for · include all group members in presentation
the group members who follow you. · make information relevant
· maintain eye contact with all members of
Mind Your Manners the audience... invites them to participate
Avoid, at all costs, creating a distraction while and maintains crowd control
your other group members are presenting. If · keep audience interested - watch for signs
you’re not the speaker you should be sitting of restlessness and address them
quietly by, nodding quiet support and · provide audience with definitions of terms
confirmation of what your other group · place information in a context that the
members are saying... not chit-chatting away audience can relate to
on the sidelines. · invite audience participation
· use blackboard and overhead to assist with
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. and The Golden Rule presentation
For your classmates. They have worked hard · review important points of information as
on their presentations as indeed, presumably, presenting and in summary at the end of
you have. You owe it to your classmates to sit the presentation
and listen attentively to their presentation. · provide outline - road map - at beginning
Surely you expect the same of them when you so audience knows what to expect
give yours? Remember the Golden Rule: that · provide answers to all questions asked
you should “Do unto others as you would have · speak loudly and face the audience
done unto you.” If you are late to class, come · avoid “garbage” language (i.e. uhm, ahh,
in quietly, take your seat and do not create a like, etc)
distraction/disturbance. · use humour to keep things interesting -
BUT use it wisely!!
· use lots of examples... including
metaphors, similes, etc.
· make the presentation age appropriate
· dont fidget... and LOSE THE GUM!!
· use quick quizzes to test audience
comprehension