1. How to Improve your presentations

2. Before the Presentation

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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:
Picture from:

7. 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 …

8. 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

9. During the Presentation

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. After the Presentation: Q&A

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. Some Other Tips

18. 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.

19. 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,
“Part 2 How to Improve Your Presentation.” from Youtube, 2 March 2017,
“Part 3 How to Improve Your Presentation.” from Youtube, 2 March 2017,

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