Oral Presentation for Engineers SUCCESS = Good Content + Practice + Practice+Experience

Doing It LIVE Content + Delivery  ImpactContent + Delivery  Impact Butterflies; who’s nervous?  confidenceButterflies; who’s nervous?  confidence Adrenaline, bad experiences Adrenaline, bad experiences Cycles & sirens: Getting them backCycles & sirens: Getting them back Dead airDead air Visuals, Examples and imageryVisuals, Examples and imagery

Success Factors Be the expert -- speak from experienceBe the expert -- speak from experience Know your audienceKnow your audience Think about the level of detail and how much will be remembered?Think about the level of detail and how much will be remembered? Think about the logical flow of the presentation: organize slides appropriatelyThink about the logical flow of the presentation: organize slides appropriately Don’t memorize - PRACTICEDon’t memorize - PRACTICE Don’t read slides - PRACTICEDon’t read slides - PRACTICE

Preparing Content Plan what you must coverPlan what you must cover Plan what you must to communicatePlan what you must to communicate 3 T’s3 T’s Use simple visuals: block diagrams and flowchartsUse simple visuals: block diagrams and flowcharts Sensible use of slide template, photos, text, charts, graphs, animations and moviesSensible use of slide template, photos, text, charts, graphs, animations and movies

Preparing Content Avoid using too many slides;Avoid using too many slides; > 1 slide/3 minutes. Use bullet items as promptsUse bullet items as prompts Anticipate questionsAnticipate questions Have some extra material “in reserve”Have some extra material “in reserve” Handouts may have more detailHandouts may have more detail

Delivery Speak up, make eye contactSpeak up, make eye contact Do you believe what you’re saying?Do you believe what you’re saying? Keep control: hecklers and distractionsKeep control: hecklers and distractions Ask questions – and wait…Ask questions – and wait… Look at people but beware of the magnetLook at people but beware of the magnet

Controlling Nerves Who knows you’re nervous?Who knows you’re nervous? Holding your papers/notesHolding your papers/notes Use illustrations with which you are familiarUse illustrations with which you are familiar Practice, practice, practicePractice, practice, practice

Remember Your Audience Look at themLook at them Respect themRespect them Excite themExcite them Listen to themListen to them Thank themThank them

Assignment -- Prep for Oral Presentation of Proposal Prepare the PowerPoint material for the oral presentation of your proposal.Prepare the PowerPoint material for the oral presentation of your proposal. Each team will have 20 minutes.Each team will have 20 minutes. Practice with teammates -- don’t just “discuss” it -- practice it! Give each other suggestions!Practice with teammates -- don’t just “discuss” it -- practice it! Give each other suggestions! Everyone must talk an equal time (as practical.Everyone must talk an equal time (as practical. Dry run for facilitator. Seek his/her critique.Dry run for facilitator. Seek his/her critique.