Presentation skills feb2012
- 1. Presentation Skills Isabelle Pottinger Effective Learning Adviser Effective Learning Service
- 2. Think about... • Why? • What? • Who? • Where? • How?
- 3. Giving a Presentation • Who are the members of your audience? • Clarify your task • Be Positive!
- 4. Establish your Aim • Decide on central theme • Audience will only hear each point once • Will remember 3 - 4 points, so… • Aim must be clear
- 5. Collect Ideas - Academic • Web • Text books • Journals • Lecture notes • Lecturers and other staff
- 6. Collect Further Ideas • Any further ideas? – jot them down • Props or visual aids you want to use? • Lay out ideas in a logical order or a pattern.
- 7. Group under headings that… • …reflect your aim • ….correspond to a theme or topic • …will help to ‘sign-post’ your talk
- 8. Order/ reorder • Get headings in a logical order • Structure talk: – Beginning – Middle – End • Stick to Structure
- 9. Visual reinforcement - Why? • Attention grabbing • Bold • Concise • Dedicated • Easy to read
- 10. Visual reinforcement - How? • Don’t clutter • Words alone are not very visual – Use bullet points – Use keywords – Stick to the theme • Keep visuals simple – Do you need each one? – What will each one show? – Any important ones missing? • Ensure visuals are used effectively
- 11. Visual reinforcement - Types? • Black/ white board and/ or flip chart? • Magnetic or Velcro boards? • Samples and/ or models? • Slides, film and/ or video? • PC with data projector? • Overhead transparencies (OHTs) with overhead projector?
- 12. Using OHT/ PowerPoint • The sequence of slides should tell a story • Use appropriate typesize • Use appropriate colour • Special effects?
- 13. Using OHT/ PowerPoint • Think about how to use the medium to its best advantage – Don’t talk to the OHT or screen – Don’t reveal the slide too soon – Don’t leave the slide still showing once you have moved on to your next point
- 14. Graphics in oral presentations • Less time to absorb • Simplify – bold and clear • Say if you will supply paper copy of graphics • Think about how graphics fit within your presentation
- 15. Prepare final notes • Don’t create word-for-word notes • Use prompt cards, not sheets • Highlight key phrases • Keep contact with your audience
- 16. Practice • Rehearse • Consider timing • Consider where props may come in • Ask a friend to listen • Tape yourself?
- 17. Conclude • Concisely • Confidently • Positively
- 18. And next...
- 19. Clothes • You are a young professional-in-training. Dress accordingly. – No offensively-sloganed tee-shirts – No shorts or ripped jeans – No low cut tops on women • While there is no need for a suit, let your clothes reflect the effort you have put into preparing your presentation.
- 20. Voice • Vary pitch • Vary the speed • Watch volume • Speak clearly • Don’t try to hide your accent
- 21. Mannerisms • Avoid annoying or distracting habits • Think about your own mannerisms • Review and control – Body language – Expressions – Stance – Movement – Gestures
- 22. Humour • Can backfire – doesn’t always go down well • May actually upset people • If you do not feel confident with it, you don’t have to try
- 23. Confidence • Everyone wants you to succeed • Preparation will help • You may become more effective as a result of a few nerves
- 24. Question technique • Must allow audience questions • Try to remain calm – Thank/ Acknowledge – Rephrase (if appropriate) – Answer – Check (by body language?)
- 25. Contact Details • Isabelle Pottinger • Effective Learning Adviser • Effective Learning Service • Ext: 3062 • E-mail: I.Pottinger@hw.ac.uk