Giving Presentations Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering 1pm – 2pm 15 th December 2009 Maeve Gallagher Student Learning Development

4 Steps in Giving a Presentation Plan Plan Prepare Prepare Practice Practice Present Present

Plan Who is your audience? Who is your audience? Why are they there? Why are they there? What is the subject of your speech? What is the subject of your speech? What is the purpose of your speech? What is the purpose of your speech? How long will it be? How long will it be? Where will it take place? Where will it take place? Will you use visual aids? Will you use visual aids?

Preparation Decide on what audience need to know v what would be nice for them to know (but is less important). Decide on what audience need to know v what would be nice for them to know (but is less important). Methods and sources for researching subject topic. Methods and sources for researching subject topic. Shape and Structure. Shape and Structure. Visual aids – key points only KISS! Visual aids – key points only KISS! Getting the nerves under control. Getting the nerves under control.

Researching it Your own experience Your own experience Listening and talking to others Listening and talking to others Books, Journal articles, Newspaper cuttings, internet, television programmes… Books, Journal articles, Newspaper cuttings, internet, television programmes… Group the information Group the information Be choosy: decide on relevancy Be choosy: decide on relevancy Decide on a rough introduction, main argument and conclusion Decide on a rough introduction, main argument and conclusion

Shape and Structure Introduction Main theme Summary/ Conclusions Get audience attention. Let your own interest shine through. Facts should be in logical order. Make sure there is sequence Re-state your main points. Make it ‘punchy’ and interesting

Preparation of slides One major concept per slide One major concept per slide Few words per slide Few words per slide Try to limit levels and points Try to limit levels and points Limit slides Limit slides Have back ups Have back ups Colours and font sizes use of graphics. Colours and font sizes use of graphics.

Practice Check room, time and equipment Check room, time and equipment Awareness of self, voice, body language and confidence Awareness of self, voice, body language and confidence Rehearse!!!!!!! Rehearse!!!!!!! Organise visual aids, notes and handouts Organise visual aids, notes and handouts Prepare for audience questions Prepare for audience questions

Present Reasons for feeling nervous Reasons for feeling nervous Lack of experience Lack of experience Lack of preparation Lack of preparation Lack of enthusiasm Lack of enthusiasm Negative self talk Negative self talk

Overcoming nerves Be over-prepared Be over-prepared Rehearse and practice Rehearse and practice Know your subject Know your subject Use relaxation techniques Use relaxation techniques Think positive Think positive Allow for all eventualities Allow for all eventualities Avoid stressors Avoid stressors

Resources for Presentations (free stock photographs – an alternative to PowerPoint) (free stock photographs – an alternative to PowerPoint) (Commercial photos) (Commercial photos) prep.html (Tips on presenting) prep.html (Tips on presenting) prep.html prep.html (examples of presentations) (examples of presentations)

GOOD LUCK!