Presentations A General Introduction into the basic principles
Why do we ask you do PRESENTATIONS? 1.It encourages you to organise your ideas, to construct logical arguments and it fulfils the objectives of HE There are also vocational objectives; many careers require you to make public presentations 3. Business and many professions needs communicators written and oral 4. Being well practiced is an advantage 5. At many job interviews candidates are required to give a presentation
Organisational Framework Chronological/sequential development Scale: overview, followed by case studies Spatial: sequence ordered by area Causal: the consequences of an event Order of importance: rank list of consequences
Effective Presentations Preparation: clear purpose and objectives, gather material, know audience,time, visual aids Drafting: plan the sequence, decide what needs to be said, shown, given out, prepare drafts, opening and finishing points Rehearsal and review: do it, timing, have you fulfilled objectives Final preparation: check visual aids, can you read your notes Structure: explain the format, introduce, sum up Delivery: be clear, eye contact, voice, simple Visual aids: clear and readable, limit words
Visual Aids Impact and removes need for descriptions Photographs Tables Diagrams Charts Drawings Key words
Different types of Visual aids Overhead Projector transparencies- prepared on a computer. 18 point at least White or blackboard Paper handouts Flip charts Video 35mm slides Artefacts or props PowerPoint presentation
Visual Concepts Use pictures instead of words Pie charts for percentages Bar graphs for comparisons Simple data rather than full tables Make eye contact with the audience Do not block views of the visual aids Remove illustrations as soon as you are finished with them
Introduction Provide a Framework State the topic State the aims and purposes Outline the scope of the talk Provide a plan of the discussion Visual aids: title, definitions, plan of presentation, image to encapsulate the presentation,highlight key question
Capture your audience’s attention A quote, a question, an amazing fact, a little story, a GOOD joke Make the introduction lively- first impressions etc.
The Main Body Ensure you provide reasons and evidence to support your case Do not try to cover too much Provide your case logically Support points with examples Connect points together Visual aids: new points highlighted with image or phrase, data to support technical information, supporting evidence
The Conclusion Cue it! Restate the main points using different words, review implications Relate back to aims End your talk emphatically Visual aids: Summarise your main points, conclusion with phrase or image, key references
Some other points to bear in mind It’s a talk not a speech: so do not prepare a full text to be read Use memory prompts: key words on cards or visual aids Write a summary for the audience (PowerPoint handout?) If you have statistical data obviously a OHP and/or handout should be used but do not read the numbers out, generalise use orders of magnitude Keep the number of ohp’s down, keep them neat and simple. Keep them consistent, 5 or 6 points on each, normally typed. Use charts
Further points about delivery Be confident and enthusiastic Talk naturally, simple language, short sentences but this is a formal occasion! Make eye contact with the audience Keep to the time limit Speak clearly, engage your audience- vary volume, pitch (group presentations with frequent and slick changes in speaker are good) Do not bury your head in your notes
Assessment of Presentations An assessed Presentation as a learning skill An assessed presentation to report research and/or other information
Research presentation
Presentation Assessment Assessment of Project Presentation CommentsMax. Mark Clear explanation of Topic involved. Posing of Research question in right context, incl. some mention of literature 15 Methods explanation 15 Results and analysis 15 Conclusion 15 Presentation Skills Familiarity: speaking rather than reading 10 Clear and audible 10 Interaction with audience 10 Timing: keeping to limit 10