Presentation SkillsByMr. Mahyuddin DaudDepartment of LawsCFS IIUM

One of the most important legal skills is presentation skills.

Connotes the ability to deliver and present ideas effectively in public.

The legal industry expects legal professionals to have good presentation skills.

Having good presentation skills enhances: Academic performance in university Graduate Employability Career advancement

Introduction

Select appropriate topic for your presentation

Conduct effective research into your topic Organise your presentation Make full use of visual aids Deal with common problems on presentation

skills

Learning Outcomes

To apply 2 stage process:

COMMON STUDENT MISTAKES!

Research

Delivery

1. RESEARCH: Students conduct research to find materials for the

presentation (books, journals, online materials)

2. DELIVERY: Research findings is converted into PowerPoint

slides and students read word-by-word from the slides

Less engagement with audience (preferably no engagement)

Once presentation is done, no review was conducted.

4 stage presentation process

How to overcome this problem?

research preparation delivery reflection

An effective presentation is ensured if students conduct proper groundwork i.e. research

Research is a systematic, thorough and rigorous process of investigation that increases knowledge.

Research stage

Legal research is "the process of identifying and retrieving information necessary to support legal decision-making.” (J. Myron Jacobstein and Roy M. Mersky, Fundamentals of Legal Research, 8th ed. (Foundation Press, 2002) p. 1.)

If you are given option to choose topic, choose the one which:a) Fits into the time allocatedb) Sufficient materials are available

Choosing a topic

Students should check the assessment criteria to determine:1. What attributes are regarded as

important and,2. What weight is given to them

Examples: Is credit available for demonstrating

research skills, using visual aids, engaging with the audience etc.

Assessment criteria

Make clear on what are you trying to achieve in your presentation Example: to give an overview on the topic,

discuss in depth If you are not sure, always consult

your course material or ask your lecturer

Aim

DO YOU WANT TO LOOK STUPID IN FRONT OF YOUR

AUDIENCE?

Audience

Look up for audience expectations on your presentation: How much do your audience know about

the topic? If they know A LOT about the topic…? If they don’t know much about the topic…?

Are they of higher academic levels than you? If higher….? If lower…?

What appropriate engagement styles should you use? Should you be :

Aggressive? Passive? In between?

So, you should…

Content overload is a major problem for many presentation

Select your topic and the content of the presentation carefully (don’t cram too much material into the time available)

Try ranking each point on the basis of its relevancy to the question

Preparing the presentation

Ensure that your presentation tells a story by giving clear introduction, a series of interrelated points and conclusion

Always prepare a handout, unless there was an express instruction on not to do so

Give careful thought to the selection and presentation of visual aids to ensure that they complement the presentation

Practice – to ensure everything runs smoothly Self-practice

‘mirror-mirror on the wall’ By group

Present in front of your colleagues

Apply a style of delivery that is ENGAGING for the audience to listen and follow

Take particular care with the TIMING, PACE, AND VOLUME of your presentation

NEVER READ DIRECTLY from a prepared script, use numbered cue cards

Delivering the presentation

Anticipate issues that will cause you to feel nervous and prepare for the answers.

Be prepared to answer questions from the audience

Listen carefully to what is being asked and take a moment to think about the answer before responding.

Presentations are increasingly required as part of job application process

Take advantage to become a more accomplished presenter by reflecting upon your performance

be honest about your limitations as a presenter and find ways to strengthen your skills

Review and reflection

Be active and precise in seeking feedback from others about your qualities as a presenter

Use feedback sheet and invite audience to complete it

Students should utilise the time available in college/university to MAKE MISTAKES and ENHANCE presentation skills.

Colleagues should assist each other and make no fun of this matter

Take each presentations SERIOUSLY and IMPROVE from day-to-day.

Insya Allah, by practice, you will gain more CONFIDENCE to speak and present your ideas in public.

Conclusion