Presentation Skills Adapted from Mc Dougal University Verbal

Presentation Skills Adapted from Mc. Dougal University

Verbal Presentation Style Speak to the audience Slow down. Speak up. Don’t read your slides (use as clues). Vary voice tone (conversational). Genuine enthusiasm.

Non-Verbal Presentation Style Appearance Dress Body appropriately for public speaking. Language Use a comfortable, confident style of presentation. Do not speak to the screen/monitor/ceiling. Do not overuse the laser pointer. Face the audience. Stand Straight. Eye Contact

Common Problems Verbal fillers Um”, “hmmm”, “ah, “uh”, “like”. Any unrelated word or phrase. Hands in pockets. Fidgeting. Failure to be audience-centered.

Know your audience In your field - can jump in with brief background; if non-experts - need more set-up. Purpose of your talk (Convince? Update? Teach? ). Convey Don’t them. enthusiasm about your work. talk over their heads; don’t talk down to

Presentation Clarity Style & format use color to highlight & organize. be consistent (audience knows where to look). Read through presentation and see if main points stand-out Heading = WHAT or HOW. Summary statement = CONCLUSION.

Keep it simple and clear If you understand it - you should be able to explain it in simple terms. It is not enough to know it - you have to explain it clearly. More information more learning

Managing Fear Be prepared know your presentation Rehearse (but don’t over rehearse!) Talk with audience beforehand. Provide Turn Ask Handouts. your nervousness into energy. questions.

Planning • Who are you talking to? • Why are you talking to them? • How long do you have to talk? • What main points do you want to convey?

Preparation Outline and sketch slides. § Prepare slides. § Proof read. § Prepare notes § brief keywords and phrases, except maybe first few paragraphs. §

Like most things, the best way to learn is to do.

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background

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

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds 24 pt is minimum, 32 pt, or even 36 pt is better

If it can’t be read – it’s a waste & it annoys the audience

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mix upper and lower case

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mix upper and lower case Use color to highlight text Use high contrast colors for important lines, symbols or text, and lower contrast colors for less important lines, symbols or text. But use a limited number of colors.

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mixture upper and lower case Use color to highlight text Keep figures simple

Preparation - Slides Use Images & Graphics Minimize text & numbers Light text on dark background Avoid distracting backgrounds Mixture upper and lower case Use color to highlight text Keep figures simple Thick lines and large symbols

While hard work and good ideas are essential to success, your ability to express those ideas and get others to join you is just as important. Much of this verbal expression will be on one or in small groups, but periodically you will be involved in more formal and public speaking in front of larger numbers. If this thought makes you nervous, you are not alone. Many speakers lack the skills and confidence to make effetcive presentations. We have all been victims of speakers who put us to sleep. Despite knowing how ineffective many speakers are, many of us have found that, despite the best intentions, we haven’t fared much better. We knew the topic and the ideas were written down, but the presentation still didn’t go well. Was it the way you delivered the presentation? Was it because the audience didn’t seem interested?

Performance § Speak loudly & clearly. § Use short simple sentences. § Avoid unfamiliar jargon & abbreviations. § Vary tone, volume, speed and pauses.

Performance § Avoid distracting mannerisms. § Relax, be enthusiastic. § Make eye contact. § Be aware of the time remaining.

Performance Explain figures, and point to important aspects. Visual Aids should: Supplement presentation Outline main points Serve audience’s needs, not speaker’s Simple and clear Vs.

Questions Paraphrase questions 1. so that other people hear the question

Questions Paraphrase questions from the audience 1. so that others hear the questions 2. to make sure you understand the questions

Questions Paraphrase questions from the audience 1. so that others hear the questions 2. to make sure you understand the questions 3. to stall while you think about an answer

Questions If you don’t know the answer, say so. Offer to find out. Ask the audience.

Extra preparation hints Ask ahead of time what equipment provided: - overhead projector vs. Powerpoint What format used: - PC vs. Mac? CD / Memory Stick (flash drive) / Zip? Emergency back-ups: - handouts.

Questions

Debating Skills

Practice �Argument: “ Students engagement in political activities have negative impact of their academic performance”. �Supporters. �Opponents.