Presentation SkillsCC1HO1 Week 5

Outline of the lecture classA. PlanningB. PreparationC. MessageD. MediaE. DeliveryF. Common PowerPoint mistakes

A. Planning• Understand the brief.

– Read carefully, discuss and agree on, specifically what, you are being asked to do.

• The objectives of the talk?• The main points you want to make.– A rough draft– Brainstorm

The PresentationSetting objectives• Consider the requirements of the audience,

what will they gain?• What are your objectives?– Get the audience to agree with your views?– Give information?– Explain something?

B. Preparation• Audience - who are the members? How many

will be at the event• Understanding - what is their knowledge about

the topic you will be addressing?• Demographics - what is their age, gender,

educational background, etc.?• Interest - why will they be at this event? Who

asked them to be there?

Preparation Cont.• Environment - where will I stand when I speak? Will

everyone be able to see me?• Needs - what are the listener's needs? What are your

needs as a speaker? • Customized - how can I custom fit my message to this

audience?• Expectations - what do the listeners expect to learn

from me?

C. MessageThe message refers to EVERYTHING a speaker does or says, both verbally and non-verbally:

a) Structureb) Style

a. Structure3 main sections:1. Introduction2. Developing your argument3. Conclusion

1. Introduction• Welcome your audience

• Identify yourself and topic

• State objectives

• Give outline of what will be covered

2. Developing your ArgumentConsider the time available for your presentation

– the structure you use may vary depending on the time available

As your presentation slot will not be long, you will probably want to state your chosen topic at the beginning, then provide supporting rationale

3. Conclusion• Summarise the main points discussed• Emphasise the key arguments• Ask the audience if they have any questions• Answer questions from audience, taking into

account the time available• Thank the audience

Presentation ContentTry to make it• Interesting• To the point• Clearly understood• Appropriate for the audience• Right length for the time available• Achieve your objectives

b. Style• formal • informal

D. Media

• Transparencies/slides

• Power point slides

• Video projection/projector handouts

How to Convey Your Message • Visible– Use a reasonable size font and a typeface which will

enlarge well• Clear– Slides should contain the minimum information

necessary• Simple– Visually simplify using design, colour, or overlays

What Are Visuals?• Graphs • Charts • Maps • Photos • Drawings • Images models • Video/film • Objects

E. Delivery• Speak clearly- don't shout or whisper - judge

the acoustics of the room • Say what you are going to say• Say it - remember that "listeners" listen only 25

to 50% of the time • Say what you’ve said - repetition often suggests

importance• Deliberately pause at key points

Elements during Delivery1. Tone of voice2. Emphasis3. Content4. Humour5. Speed6. Pronunciation and Pitch7. Visuals

1. ToneConsider the statement “What are you doing?”• It can be said with a harsh tone and sound like a

rebuke• It can be said with a soft tone and sound like a

caring query.

2. Emphasis Consider the statement “What are you doing”Try using emphasis on the bold word:1. What are you doing?2. What are you doing?3. What are you doing?4. What are you doing?

2. Emphasis (Contd.)1. Focuses attention on the action2. Implies disbelief/suprise as to what is being

done3. Suggests the person is at fault4. Focuses attention on the action.Combining emphasis and tone makes messages

easily understood

3. ContentActual words are important.• Set them at the correct level for the listener• Avoid technical words, particularly if you are not

sure of their meaning• Try to ensure that your words cannot be

misunderstood, no ambiguity

4. Humour• Can be a useful way of maintaining the listener’s

attentionBUT• Can also risk the loss of credibility• Not everyone has the same sense of humour• May risk offending someone

5. SpeedCan be used to aid emphasis and structure• to create anticipation• build up momentum before an important point• a pause can also highlight and aid the listener in

absorbing a point• a pause can infer deliberateness and thought • ‘Um’ and other noises are not pauses

6. Pronunciation and Pitch• Read difficult words aloud before you have to speak in

public• Try to avoid using words you are not sure how to

pronouncePitch is a combination of tone and loudness• it tends to change when people get irritated or angry• A speech with no change of pitch sounds very boring

7. Visuals• Keep visuals simple• Consider colour coordination• Use large enough type for audience to read at a

distance• Do not stand in front of the thing you want the

audience to see• Speak to the audience, not the visuals

Before Delivery• Rehearse your presentation.– To yourself at first and then in front of some

colleagues.

E. Common PowerPoint mistakes

1. People tend to put every word they are going to say on their PowerPoint slides. Although this eliminates the need to memorize your talk, ultimately this makes your slides crowded, wordy and boring. You will loose your audience’s attention before you even reach the bottom of your...................................

Continued) ..........first slide.

2. Many people do not run spell cheek before theirs presentation – BIG MISTAK!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing makes you look stupid than spelling errors.

Too many Bullet Points• Avoid• Excessive• Bullet • Pointing• Only • Key• Points• Too• Many

• Bullet Points• And• Your • Key• Messages• Will• Not• Stand• Out

• In fact• Term ‘Bullet Points’• Comes• From • People• Firing• Guns At• Annoying• Presenters

Bad colour schemes• Clashing Background and font colours can lead

to:• Distraction• Confusion• Headache• Vomiting• Nausea• Loss of Bladder Control

Practice makes perfect• Practise your presentation - preferably in front

of a friendly audience• Time your presentation keep adapting it until

you can do it effectively in the time available• Try to appear confident as you do it – even if

you don’t feel confident

Other Points to Remember• Rehearse• Eye contact• Posture• Gestures• Inflection• Movement• Nerve control

Presentation deadlines• The 1st presentation is in week 6 on your

progress for your group work (unmarked) and follows on every week

• The main final presentation is in week 11, and is of your learning object itself

• Make sure both you and your presentation are ready for it

Finally ...,

• Enjoy yourself - The audience will be on your side and want to hear what you have to say!