Dr Sean Dodd

Effective Presentations

How is a Presentation structured?

The same as any report or essay:

Introduction

Main body

Conclusion

Activity 1

Consider:

Imagine you were in a lecture with a guest speaker instead of your normal lecturer

Identify what you would want to know before you could relax and start listening

Is the Introduction the same as for a report or essay?....

Yes, but there are extra requirements:First you should: Introduce the members in the project group Indicate each member’s contribution

Enables the audience to acclimatise themselves to listening to you

This is like looking at the cover of the book before reading

….Is the Introduction the same as for a written Report or Essay?

Then you should: Introduce the Presentation material as you

would a Report or Essay: Explain the question Provide necessary back ground Explain technical terms Explain the structure of the response

Activity 2:

Consider:

How good are you at remembering the content of lectures?

What sort of thing do you remember? What sort of thing do you forget? Why?

How does preparing a Presentation differ from writing a Report or Essay?

Listening to the spoken word can be hard to follow, so: Avoid very technical details

Include these in a handout Consider level of expertise in the audience

You must consider the technique of speaking

You should support your Presentation with slides

What is the ‘Technique of Speaking’?

Make yourself easy to listen to: Speak clearly Make sure the pace is appropriate Get the volume right

Too loud is as bad as too quiet If your voice is heavily accented, practice Use intonation in your voice

How else can I make it Interesting?

Use appropriate body language: Look around at your audience Smile Stand tall - look confident

Do not: Turn round and read off the screen

Read off your notes or the computer monitor Bury your head in your notes

Keep notes brief and be familiar with their content

Why are Slides Important?

Slides should support the presentation Not dominate it

Well prepared slides can help the speaker They can act as your notes You can add detail that help the audience

follow your argument E.g. numbers

Activity 3

Consider:

Consider the slides that have been used in lectures that you have attended

What made slides good?

What makes a Good Presentation?

Avoid using too many words on each slide

Try to think for the audienceThe slide should aid:-

comprehensionconcentrationthe memory

Do apply a background as appropriate

What makes a Good Presentation?

Avoid using too many words on each slide

Try to think for the audienceThe slide should aid:-

comprehensionconcentrationthe memory

Do apply a background as appropriate

How can Slides help your Audience Concentrate? Make the slides interesting

Use animations to enhance the presentation But do not over-do it

Use space to organise concepts

Activity 4.

Improve this slide. Practise your group Presentation with your

group members. You should time yourself and complete the eight slides within 10 minutes. You should stop when 10 minutes is up.

Ensure that each member of your group participates in the Presentation

Activity 4. An Improved Version:

Practise your Presentation with your group membersTime yourself:

Complete all eight slides within 10 minutes(You should stop when 10 minutes is up)

Ensure that each member of your group participates in the Presentation

How can Slides help You?

They can help you present your material fluently

A problem occurs at the end of each slide -- what comes next?

Print a handout to remind you, or Annotate your notes Practice

Problem Presentations

The following problems are all typical errors made by students delivering Presentations for assessment

Nothing is exaggerated

Presenting with PowerPointPresenting with PowerPoint

Consistent font colour used

Consistent font colour used

throughoutthroughout

Nothing Aligned

ButBut Every Every

Animation Different

Animation Different

Variety of

Fonts

DISTRACTINGDISTRACTING

Far Too Much Far Too Much Information On Information On One Slide For One Slide For The Reader To The Reader To

See See ComfortablyComfortably

Nice BackgroundNice Background

Problems with ClipArtProblems with ClipArt

Does not ‘fit’ the Does not ‘fit’ the backgroundbackground

Poor colour choicePoor colour choice

OvercrowdedOvercrowded

Activity 5.

Consider:

What skills are required when giving a group Presentation?

Should anything else be considered?

In Summary

The structure is similar to the written word

The Introduction must introduce the group and topic

Detail must be supported by a separate handout

The manner of delivery must aid comprehension and keep the attention of the audience

Slides must be supportive and clear