The Senior Project Presentation Your 20 Minute Class to Teach!

Here’s what you need to know: Parameters of the Presentation—what are the requirements? Creation of Your Speech—how should I prepare? Visual Aids—what can I use to enhance my speech? Dress-what should I wear? Suggestions and Tips

Parameters of the Presentation-- What do I need to prepare? The total time you have is 20 minutes. You must speak for a minimum of 16 minutes, with no more than 4 minutes of answering questions from the audience. You may bring or prepare visual aids.

Visual Aids Visual aids are anything that you use to enhance your speech: Power point presentation Pictures Posters Products Tools of the trade Demonstration equipment Video Handouts

Rules concerning Visual Aids: Make sure all visual aids are neat and professional, with no typos. You may use no more than 2 minutes of a commercially prepared video. You may use no more than 2 minutes of a student prepared video. Use Power Point to support and guide your presentation. Don’t let it BECOME your presentation.

Visual aids How NOT to do Power Point Make sure all of your visuals are prepared ahead of time, are free of typos, laid out well. A picture is worth a thousand words!

Creation of the Speech

Use an Outline The outline gives you a structure for your presentation and keeps it from rambling. Use the TELL-TELL-TELL structure: Start with an INTRODUCTION to get your audience’s attention and guide them to the topic of your speech. (Use a story, joke, quotation, image, etc.) TELL the audience what are you going to talk about. Give them a preview. (Your thesis statement.)

The BODY of the presentation: TELL the audience what your main points are going to be. (2 to 4) Transition to your first main point. Support it with examples, stories, experiences, visual aids. Continue with your other main points. What this Company Does & History Work Stories A Typical Day How this Experience has changed me

Have a conclusion. When you finish your main points, TELL the audience what you went over in your presentation—restate the main points and summarize. END your presentation formally with a quotation, idea, story, etc. Open up a Q&A session with your remaining time.

Practice! Speaking is a skill— practice for your dog, your mom, your friends, your senior project advisor— just practice! Time your speech Practice using your visual aids

Speech delivery tips to keep in mind: Don’t READ your speech. Communicate with your audience— at them. Have a conversation with your audience. Speak up. Articulate! Be careful of extraneous, nervous movements. Hands out of the pockets. Have your materials ready before you begin. Turn OFF your cell phone! (Especially the presenter!!!) Practice! You won’t be as nervous!

How to dress for the presentation (and while on the project): Dress PROFESSIONALLY! You are representing the GDS community as well as yourself. And making future professional contacts! Dress for the job, not as a student. Dress shirt and pants for boys, tie is recommended, coat is optional. Dresses, skirts, dress pants for girls. Make sure your skirts are a professional length. (Can you bend over without flashing anyone?) Make sure your tops cover the cleavage. OR wear a work appropriate outfit for your chosen field—lab coat, uniform, etc. No shorts or flip flops, please.

Some Suggestions: Collect materials for your presentation DURING your senior project—don’t let your presentation be an afterthought.

Secure and setup any equipment needed BEFORE your audience arrives. Make sure all visual aids are visible, professional, and enhance what you are discussing. Check for typos!

Practice your presentation using your visual aids so you feel comfortable manipulating them. Time your speech—if you’re not used to speaking you may find you will need much more or less material than you expect.

To Review : 20 minutes—16 minutes MINIMUM of actual presentation time. Use an outline—TELL-TELL-TELL Formally begin and end your speech—use 2 to 4 main points for the body of your speech. Dress professionally Make sure visual aids enhance rather than become your presentation. Start preparing materials for your presentation during your senior project.

Have a great senior project! And a great presentation!