1. Junior Thesis Oral Presentation Guidelines
Requirements:
● Oral presentation of thesis—4 to 6 minutes
● PowerPoint, Prezi or Google Presentation
Preparing your presentation:
1. Time yourself. Do you have too much or too little? Decide now what you have to add
or delete.
2. Consider teacher comments on your paper, especially concerning organization.
3. Transfer information to notecards. You may not read from your paper. In the
presentation, it is important that you maintain eye contact with your audience, not be
turned to read from your PowerPoint.
4. Decide early on PowerPoint slides. Find pictures, illustrations, etc. that CLARIFY and
ENHANCE.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice! First by yourself, then in front of a mirror, standing in
front of a friend or family member, with your PowerPoint…
Howto lookcomfortable whenyou are not!
1. Know how to pronounce every word. If a sentence doesn’t “flow,” change it!
2. Your hands. Keep them out of your pockets, out of your hair. If you are prone to
fidgeting, plan some gestures. Where will gestures fit in your presentation?
3. Your eyes. Eye contact is key. Don’t look at the ceiling. Don’t stare down at your
notecards. If it makes you nervous to look someone in the eye, try looking at the spot
where his or her forehead meets the hairline. Look at each person one at a time.
4. Your feet. Don’t shuffle. Don’t shift. Plan movements between sections.
5. Posture. Stand straight. Do not lean, sit, etc.
6. Voice. Pause at the end of sentences (and take a breath). Speak louder at points you
want to emphasize.
7. Dress up. First impressions do matter. Smile. Greet the class.
8. Practice, Practice, Practice!
Preparing your Visual Aid
1. Choose the type of media you can best manipulate: PowerPoint, Prezi, or Google
Presentations
2. If you are using PowerPoint and plan to work on your file both at home and at school,
make sure you save in a version of PowerPoint that you have at home or that you have
access to VM Ware at home.
3. Your visual aid must be saved in such a way so that it will be accessible to me on the day
of your presentation. Title your presentation by last name, first name. Below are
specific guidelines for the treatment of each type of presentation.
● PowerPoint: Once you have name the file appropriately, save it in the appropriate
file in my drop box. You will be able to retrieve, play and project it from my
computer on the day of your presentation.
2. ● Prezi: Make certain that your Prezi is public, and email the link to me.
● Google Presentation: Again, name the file appropriately, and then share it with
me.
4. Follow through. If you’re using a PowerPoint file, I strongly recommend you not rely
on your PowerPoint being in the drop box alone. Instead, bring a back-up copy on a
flash drive. If you are sharing a link through Prezi or a file through Google, specifically
check with me to verify that I have received it - LONG before the moment that it needs to
work in front of the entire class!
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TED Talk Style Guide
1. Make an outline and script
What is the best structure for a talk?
Remember: The primary goal of your talk is to communicate an idea effectively.
● Start by making your audience care, using a relatable example or an intriguing idea
● Explain your topic clearly and with conviction
● Describe your evidence and how and why it supports your topic
● End by addressing how your topic is important for your audience to know/how it affects
your audience
Remember: The structure of your talk should be invisible to your audience. In other
words, don’t talk about how you’re going to talk about your topic—just talk about it!
Introduction
A strong introduction is crucial.
● Draw in your audience members with something they care about.
o If it’s a topic your audience already thinks about a lot, start with a clear statement of
what your topic is
o If it’s a topic they never think about, start by invoking something they do think about
a lot and relate that concept to your idea.
● Get your topic/thesis out as quickly as possible
● Don’t open with a string of stats
Body
In presenting your topic and evidence:
● Make a list of all the best evidence you want to use. Think about items that your
audience already knows about versus the things you’ll need to make them aware of.
o Order all of the items on your list based on what a person needs to know before
they can understand the next point, and from least to most exciting/interesting.
o Now cut out everything you possibly can without losing the integrity of your
argument. You will most likely need to cut things that you think are important
3. ▪ Consider having a friend look this list over—someone who isn’t an expert
in your topic
● Use data and evidence; limit anecdotal evidence
● Respectfully address any controversies in your claims, including legitimate counter-
arguments, reasons you might be wrong, or doubts your audience might have about
your ideas.
Conclusion
● Don’t simply summarize what you’ve already said; tell your audience how your
idea/topic might affect their lives
● If appropriate, give your audience a call to action
2. Create a visual
What goes on my slides?
● Images and photos
○ People should understand that the images represent what you’re saying; there is
no need to verbally describe the images onscreen
○ Only use images you have permission to use. If you don’t, cite your source (in
very, very small font!) at the bottom of your slide
● Graphs and infographics
○ Must be visually clear, and BIG. Graphs should make one point.
● No slide should support more than one point.
What should my slides look like?
● Use as little text as possible-- if your audience is reading, they are not listening.
○ Text font should be clear, simple, and large
● Avoid bullet points. Put different points on different slides.
3. Rehearse
Rehearse. Rehearse. Rehearse!
● Rehearse until you are completely comfortable with your content
● Listen to criticisms when you practice in front of people, and rehearse some more.
● Focus on talking like you’re speaking to just one person in a spontaneous conversation
● Evaluate the pacing of your speech - are you talking too fast? Be certain that you are
articulate and measured in your speaking.
Timing
● Time yourself. Practice with a clock in front of you. Do it until you get the timing right
every time.
Posture
● Practice standing still, planted firmly in one spot. Have a friend watch you and stop you
from pacing back and forth or shifting your weight from leg to leg.
