How to Improve your presentations

Before the Presentation

Structure Your Presentation An ideal structure for a presentation includes: Introduction Opener Topic Statement Preview Body Section A Section B Section C … Conclusion Signal and review Closer

Introduction Opener Topic statement Preview To grab the audience’s attention Topic statement To tell the audience the main subject of the presentation Preview To give a “roadmap” of the main points you will include

Introduction Some Common Openers You may try to open your presentation with one of the following openers. A general statement about people A question to the audience An interesting or surprising fact A quotation, proverb, or saying A “raise your hand” survey A common viewpoint or opinion

Body Brainstorm ideas and details about your selected topic. A brainstorming map or a mind map may help. Organize the ideas and details into a logical order. Make them into an outline. Picture from: http://mastermindmapper.com/ Picture from: http://higherupandfurtherin.blogspot.tw/2012/09/how-to-teach-your-child-to-outline.html

Conclusion Conclusion: Concluding signal + review + closer Concluding signals To make it clear that you are going to finish soon e.g. In conclusion, in closing, to conclude, to sum up, so, etc. Review To remind the audience of the main points e.g. I hope my presentation about … gives you an idea for …

Conclusion Closer Common types of closers To leave the audience with a memorable thought Common types of closers A quotation or saying A suggestion, prediction, or warning Emphasizing the importance or impact of the topic A final question A hope or wish for the future A call to action

During the Presentation

PowerPoint Tips Do … use a large font use one font with a few different sizes and styles (bold, italic) use keywords and short phrases, not complete sentences Use dark font on light background / light font on dark background talk to your audience and make eye contact

PowerPoint Tips Don’t … put too much information on a slide (maximum of 6 bullet points) use bullet points on every slide use many different fonts and colors on one slide include images that don’t support your text talk to the screen or read directly from the slide

Language and Voice Stress and phonetic errors Grammar Be careful with the medical terms. Listening to online dictionaries may help. Grammar Volume, clarity, and speed Slow down and speak clearly.

Language and Voice Use stress and pauses for contrast Pause between phrases Natural pauses for phrases normally occur where there is punctuation, e.g. a comma or a period. after a content word – a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. Emphasize content word by saying them a little louder and more slowly.

After the Presentation: Q&A

Q&A Tips for Questioners Think before asking a question in Q&A section. Are the questions relevant to the presentation? Are the questions understandable? Speak loud and slow enough.

Q&A Tips for Speakers Welcome the question: let people know that their questions are important. Repeat the question: make sure you understand it correctly and everyone can hear it. Speak to the whole audience: not only to the questioner. Keep the answer short and simple: don’t make a 2nd mini-presentation. Be honest if you don’t know the answer; then promise to find out.

Some Other Tips

Other General but Important Advice Practice, practice, practice! Time yourself and control the length of the presentation. Dress appropriately. Greet the audience and smile at the beginning. Thank the audience at the end of the presentation.

References Gershon, Steven. Present Yourself 2: Viewpoints. Cambridge UP, 2015. Anderson, Chris. TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking. Headline Publishing Group, 2016. “Part 1 How to Improve Your Presentation.” from Youtube, 2 March 2017, https://youtu.be/jkbD44F6wNw. “Part 2 How to Improve Your Presentation.” from Youtube, 2 March 2017, https://youtu.be/YZq5iXET4tM. “Part 3 How to Improve Your Presentation.” from Youtube, 2 March 2017, https://youtu.be/EnR8qZNonoM.

Picture from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/269160515207728535/