Presentation skills

Session outline  Introduction  Steps in Giving Presentation  Creating effective visual aids  Effective presentation techniques  Summary

Why Give A Presentation? Three Main Purposes 1. Inform 2. Persuade 3. Educate

Definitions Presentation “Something set forth to an audience for the attention of the mind “ Effective “…producing a desired result”

#1 Fear Feared more than death! THE FACTS: Shaky hands, blushing cheeks, memory loss, nausea, and knocking knees NORMAL!

“Great speakers aren’t born, they are trained.” Presenting is a Skill… Developed through training and experience

1.Plan 2. Prepare 3. Practice 4. Present Steps in Giving Presentation

1. Planning

Who is your audience? Why are they there? What is your goal? How long will it be? Where will it take place? Questions?

Start your Outline No Powerpoint Film with no script Pencil & Paper Order your thoughts Key points

Create interest “We need to open gaps before we close them. Our tendency is to tell people the facts. First, though, they must realize that they need these facts.”

Introduction Main theme Summary/ Conclusions Structure Get Attention Content Key message

2. Preparation

Preparation  Outline and sketch slides  Prepare slides  Proof read  Prepare notes - brief keywords and phrases, except maybe first couple of paragraphs

Preparation - Outline minutes per slide Generic 15 min Conference Presentation  Title Slide (1) Title, author, affiliation, acknowledgements  Rationale (1-2) Why this is interesting  Methods (1-2) What you did  Results (2-4) What did you find and what does it mean  Summary (1) One thing you want them to remember

Preparation - Slides  Use Images & Graphics  Minimise text & numbers  Light text on dark background  Avoid distracting backgrounds

 Use large fonts  Mixture upper and lower case  Use colour to highlight text  Keep figures simple  Thick lines and large symbols Preparation - Slides

Be Visible Use Sans Serif fonts (fonts without feet) – e.g. Arial, Tahoma, Trebuchet, Verdana, etc. Titles should be pt. font size, BOLD Text should be as large as possible – First level pt font size – Second level pt font size – Etc. Use color wisely – Contrasting colors

Red/Blue Conflict Red letters on blue background creates “flicker effect” Blue letters on red background just as bad

Low Contrast White on yellowYellow on white Black on blueBlue on black

Visual Aids To make, explain or identify a point To emphasize, clarify or reinforce a point To remind, summarize or review a point We remember – –10% of what we read –20% of what we hear –30% of what we see –50% of what we see and hear

PowerPoint slides Overhead transparencies Graphs/charts Pictures Web links ( ) Films/video Flip charts Sketches Chalk or white board Visual Aids

3. Practice

Practice Practice, practice, practice Get feedback, and use it. Be ruthless - delete unnecessary information

Practice Practice in front of people In the venue Fix things that don’t work Timing Gets you used to being in front of an audience.

4. Present

5 Presentation Tips 1. Smile 2. Breathe 3. Water 4. Notes 5. Finish on, or under time

Performance Don’t Apologise Speak loudly & clearly Use short simple sentences Avoid jargon & abbrev. Vary pitch, tone, volume, speed and pauses

Performance Avoid distracting mannerisms Relax, be enthusiastic Make eye contact Keep an eye on the time remaining

Performance Explain figures, and point to important aspects Give a clear and concise summary, then stop. Don’t go overtime. Ever.

Dealing with Questions Questions show people are listening! Allow time to deal with them Decide when to answer them Try and anticipate Don’t be afraid to stop and think

What if I don’t know the answer? Open it to the floor Take details and answer later Repeat the question back if you don’t understand it

Common Problems Verbal fillers – “Um”, “uh”, “like”, “you guys” – Any unrelated word or phrase Swaying, rocking, and pacing Hands in pockets Lip smacking Fidgeting Failure to be audience-centered

Closing Summary Audience is always attentive at the begining Somewhat less attentive in the middle Generally more attentive at the end Tell them what you are going to say Then say it At the end, say it again Allow time for questions

Effective Presentation Techniques

Effective Presentations Control anxiety – Don’t fight it Audience centered Accomplishes objective Fun for audience Fun for you Conducted within time frame

Summary Guide audience gently Design slides carefully Use pauses effectively Answer questions inclusively