Presentations Keys To A Successful Presentation

Summary Introduction Preparation Equipment Structure Delivery

What Are You Trying to Achieve Through Your Presentation? Is the purpose of your presentation to: inform train persuade sell

The importance of preparation When preparing to give a presentation it is important to consider… Audience Venue Time and length Method Content …AND…

…Structure Beginning Short introduction welcome your audience introduce your subject explain the structure of your presentation explain rules for questions Middle Body of presentation present the subject itself End Short conclusion summarise your presentation thank your audience invite questions Questions and Answers

Structure Body Clear & to the point Flowing from point to point Suit the audience’s level of expertise On the topic

Equipment Different equipment have different uses and impacts. Choosing what to use can be as simple as: Knowing your venue Does it have a data projector or OHP? Is it in a small or large room? What seating is available? Knowing your audience Age Interest in topic being presented Group size and expertise

Time and Length When am I making this presentation and how long will it be?" Will it be 5 minutes or 1 hour? Just before lunch, when your audience will be hungry, or just after lunch, when your audience will be sleepy? When considering time and length of your presentation use some of the following questions to guide your thinking:

Time & Length A time limit will usually be set for your presentation. Dividing this time into the sections you have is important. Example – This is one way you could divide a 20 minute presentation. Beginning/Intro5 minutes Middle/Body10 – 12 minutes End/Conclusion3 – 5 minutes Questions & Answers5 minutes (usually extra)

Delivery Nerves Audience Rapport Body Language Cultural Considerations Voice quality Visual aids Audience Reaction

Nerves - Pay special attention to your beginning - Relax, speak slowly and calmly - Attempt to learn your introduction by heart Audience Rapport - Build a warm relationship with your audience - Enthusiasm is contagious - Attempt ‘natural’ eye contact

Body language - Clothes, hair, glasses, expressions all help create first impressions - Avoid irritating gestures Cultural Considerations - Gestures may differ in cultures - Do not assume that you will be automatically understood.

Voice quality - speed - intonation - volume Visual aids - visual aids are an extremely effective means of communication - they can assist non-native English speakers to understand a point better

Learning Centre© LJPHay 2003 Manukau Institute of Technology