1. Presenting your Project
Global Connections Seminar

2. Set the Tone
Shake hands with each judge & introduce yourself personally
Hand them any manipulatives you might have (survey results)
Wait for your audience
Remain poised
Establish mood

3. What’s your hook? NOT ON YOUR SLIDE! Let them get to know you.
My name is Katherine Lacks and I’m attending James Madison University in the Fall. My project is Why is political apathy so prevalent in the US? This project has inspired me to major in political science because…
My name is Katherine Lacks and I was inspired to do this project because (personal story, condensed)
My name is Katherine Lacks and I would like to be your President one day; hence my decision to research public opinion.

4. Manipulatives
Slides are to guide your audience, note cards are to guide you
Audience members cannot effectively read and listen at the same time
Consider color of slides and typeface
Notecards
Write largely and legibly
Put on a ring, or use the notebook version
Should have no matter what for back up

5. Don’t breeze through…
Don’t bring something up you’re not willing to explain
If you don’t answer their question in your presentation, they will surely ask you
If you confuse them, they will ask you to clarify later
Fill the 10 mins
Know about the topic more than you speak about the topic

6. Don’t be obnoxious Refrain from promoting the following: Arrogance
Negativity
Makes people think you have a bad attitude
If you think it, they’ll think it
Makes people think you’re fishing for a compliment
Sarcasm

7. Don’t be obnoxious Refrain from promoting the following:
Impatience (don’t hurry along questions)
Defensiveness (other people have ideas too; that was not in the scope of my research, but…)
Simple-mindedness (I’m cute, I can just smile and blush)

8. Think before you speak
Is your comment/answer adding value, or are you merely speaking?
Strive for wit, not words
Don’t worry about the pause; allow for think-time
Be open-minded (it is not your way or the highway)
Ask for clarification if you don’t understand the question
If nothing else, say “That was not within the scope of my research”

9. Leadership Qualities
Eye contact (promotes professionalism, trust, comfort, and confidence)
Relaxed face (smile with your eyes)

10. Leadership Qualities Stay in the moment
Ground control to Major Tom (you’ve been working on this all year, you know this… tell yourself)
Plan for the stress
Take responsibility
Practice

11. Before We Practice
What are your presenting strengths and weaknesses?

12. Reasons you choose to do poorly…
Predictability (threatened by change)
Conditioning (might make you change)
Belief in miracles (sit and wait)
Fear of losing
Fear of winning (changes comfort zone)
Over expectations (“I know I can’t reach that goal, so I won’t even try”)
If I choose to fail, I it’s a choice; if I choose to try, and fail, it’s a judgment upon myself

13. Projecting your self Image
ABCs of Me
What were/are they?
How can we promote them?