1. Presentation Skills
Preparation
Practice
Performance

2. Preparation Collect your information Write your presentation
Make it Interesting
Do not present your audience with information overload
When using power-point do not fill the page with text, or include too many effects
Make sure you have a back-up copy of your presentation

3. Points to Remember What is the aim of the presentation
Have you addressed the marking criteria
Use a few key well explained examples
Make sure the presentation has a structure
Emphasize key points and even repeat them later

4. Practise You must time yourself Speak clearly and confidently
Do not read from notes, or a PowerPoint
Do not read out in a monotone
Emphasize key points
One practice is nowhere near enough
Video your practice and analyze it

5. Common Faults Talking too quickly Preparing far too many slides
Reading every word off the PowerPoint as if it was a script
Text too small
Endless animations and transitions

6. Presenting Take a few deep breaths Look at the back of the room
Speak clearly
If you miss something out do not panic, add it in later (nobody else has your notes)
If something goes wrong take a deep breath and a pause and calmly sort it out

7. Presenting Tell the audience when they can ask questions
Do not apologize if you think something went badly. Other people may have a different perception
End strongly

8. Armstrong’s Heart beat never went above 80 beats per minute
NASA training
Address your audience like a friend
The more presentations you do the better you get
Video yourself presenting
Make an effort to relax beforehand
Practise in the space presentation venue beforehand

9. Using PowerPoint Make sure colours do not clash Avoid tacky animations
Make sure you practise with your PowerPoint presentation
Use large text (e.g. 32 points)
Use on one page for every 3 – 4 minutes of presentation
Great presentation does not make up for poor content

10. Activity Make two PowerPoint Slides Criteria Must be clear
Must convey key points
Effective design
Smooth transition
Include key points for your theme

11. Alternatives to PowerPoint
The postcard technique
Use bold text or capitals for different sections
On the cards write subsection titles and key words as prompts
Number the cards in case you drop them
Look up as you express your ideas after reading the prompt

12. Alternatives to PowerPoint
OHP acetates
Short film
Some acting
Audience participation
Posters
Using a whiteboard
What about a combined approach?

13. Work the Audience Emphasize key points using different phrasing
You sections to break up your talk into segments
Complex arguments are easier to follow visually
Don’t go off at tangents
Edit your talk if you run short of time
Use examples and stories

14. Developing Presentation Skills
Try some drama classes
Join the model UN
Watch politicians and actors making speeches
Take advantage of as many opportunities to present as possible

15. Links http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX010857971033.aspx