Presentation Skills

Presentation Skills

English IV: BlendedEnglish IV: Blended

Essential Understanding

Essential Understanding

This presentation will help you improve:

your ability to present knowledge and ideas by designing a logical organization and style for your audience using visual displays, technology and appropriate language choices.

Elements of a Strong Presentation:

AM

Elements of a Strong Presentation:

AMAudience

Who are they?

What do they need to know?

Message

What content are you required to present?

Which elements of your content are essential, which are supplementary?

Elements of a Strong Presentation:

PM

Elements of a Strong Presentation:

PMPresenter

How can you design your presentation so that the content creates an impact on the audience?

How can you reduce distractions so that the focus is on the content, not the presenter?

Medium

What’s the most effective medium to use?

How does this choice improve the impact?

AudienceAudienceWho are they?

What do they need to know?

What can you assume they already know?

What will they gain by paying attention to your presentation?

How can you keep them engaged (handouts, interaction)?

In the real world, it’s never about “getting a grade.” Consider the real purpose.

MessageMessageHow much time do you have?

What content are you required to present?

How can you make it fit the time constraints?

Brainstorming: When working in groups, you must be supportive of every idea, but firm enough to throw out weak or unnecessary content.

Visualize ideas – Use diagrams, mapping, outlines, chart to help you organize and simplify.

PresenterPresenterYou will need to be able to:

To use your voice to emphasize your content.

To use body language to accent your content (gestures, facial expression)

To adjust your timing (speed, detail, length)

To deal with your own nervousness

To respond to audience (eye contact, changing pace given cues)

PresenterPresenterKnow about what you want to say.

Look at people when you speak to them.

Speak clearly and keep what you say simple.

Ensure that your words, body language and voice all emphasize your most important content.

Adapt your delivery to your audience by paying attention to the signs of confusion, disagreement or boredom.

Summarize and check that people understand you.

MediumMediumFlip Chart and Poster presentations:

Clear and concise

High Visual impact

Well-organized

Binders or Folders:

Well-organized

Allow for review after presentation

MediumMediumPowerpoint (or other presentation software)

If you use a small font, your audience may not be able to read what you have written

CAPITALISE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. IT IS DIFFICULT TO READ AND APPEARS RUDE.

Avoid complicated / distracting transition

Specialty fonts are often difficult to read

Colors that don’t contrast the background are difficult to read.

Background images often obscure text.

Group DynamicsGroup DynamicsRehearse early and often.

Have a real introduction; don’t simply begin. Introduce yourselves.

Know your transitions and make them smooth and logical, especially between presenters

Have an “anchorman” who directs the flow of the presentation.

Inactive presenters should not be inattentive.

Use each member’s strength.