Structuring a presentation
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This document provides guidance on structuring an effective presentation in 3 parts: introduction, main content, and summary. The introduction should get the audience's attention, establish credibility, and set the mood. The main content should be broken into chunks and include visuals, interaction, and allow for questions. The summary restates the key points and ends on a positive note, linking back to the introduction. Effective presentations are planned, consider the audience and their needs, and have a clear structure.
Structuring a presentation
- 1. Structuring a presentation Introduction This sheet is adapted from materials developed by the Alder Travel and Lotus Training as part of their Key Skills Support Programme development projects. Planning your presentation The best presentations are planned whether the audience is 1 or 1,000. You should never panic but you can use the word to help you remember the key points like this: P Purpose What is the purpose of the presentation/meeting? A Audience Find out as much about your audience as possible and focus your presentation accordingly N Needs What are the needs of your audience? Information? Encouragement? Clarification? I Information Collate and prepare your information Not too little!! Not too much!! C Communication Plan the structure of your presentation The structure of your presentation Here is a simple summary of a good presentation: Introduction: Tell them what you are going to tell them Main content: Tell them Summary: Tell them what you have told them and why ©Crown Copyright 2000 Produced with assistance from the DfEE Key Skills Support Programme
- 2. Introduction Your audience will form an impression of you very quickly – so the first minute of your presentation is vital: • Get everyone’s attention • Establish your credibility • Set the mood Your introduction might include a brief list of things that you will be talking about and the possible benefits to your audience – this might be general interest or work-related. It might be helpful to give some background information about yourself and why you have chosen to speak about the subject. Main content If your presentation is more than a few minutes long you need to plan a structure for this part of the presentation by breaking the content of what you want to say into chunks. In addition to this: • Tell them what they need to know – not too much information and not too little • Show them pictures or use images to clarify, support and enhance your verbal messages • Create opportunities for interaction, ask them questions and listen actively • Don’t waffle – keep to the point • Don’t be afraid of silences as this will give your audience time to absorb what you have been saying. Prepare some notes, perhaps using index cards that list one idea on each card. Avoid using a script as this can become monotonous. Allow your audience time to ask questions and encourage them to do so. If you are involved in a discussion, then this should be a two-way experience. You may need to ask questions to encourage audience participation. Summary This will be the part of your presentation which is remembered! Plan in advance how you will end the presentation. Key points are: • When you come to the end stop! • No last minute ideas • Always finish on a positive note You may link the summary to the introduction and summarise the key points discussed. ©Crown Copyright 2000 Produced with assistance from the DfEE Key Skills Support Programme