How to do presentations

• As part of the selection process for a course or job, you might have to do a presentation.
• As a student you might have to do a presentation for a tutorial or as part of an assessment.

If you are not used to public speaking, this can seem scary. Don’t worry. You will usually get plenty of warning, and, as with so many tasks, the golden rule is: prepare your talk well. Failing to prepare is the same as preparing to fail!

Work out what you want to say

• Start in good time. Research the subject carefully. Decide on your main points and get them in the right order. If you end up with more material than you need for the talk, it could be useful if there are questions.
• Start the talk with something to catch the audience's attention: a story, a surprising fact or a question.
• Form a bond with the people in your audience. If you have the same work background as they have, use a little trade jargon. If you are a visitor, refer to local places or issues.
• Put abstract ideas over by use of concrete examples. If your examples are dramatic, all the better. For instance: 'The population is growing at such a rate that today there are more people alive in the world than ever died in it.'
• Finish the talk the way you began it, with a strong point of interest - a story, a fact or a question.

Your notes

Do not try to use the full text of your talk - reading aloud without looking up can be boring and if you do look up you might lose your place.
Your notes should list the main sections you want to cover. Learn your talk so that the name of each section calls to mind what you want to say.
If you think you might forget the order of things, write the name of each section on a card and number the cards. Put each card to the bottom of the pile as you finish that section.
Make sure your notes are clear and easily read.

Delivery

• Practise your talk. Read it aloud a few times, alone or to a friend. Is it the right length? Watch out for words you might trip over.
• Look at your audience and make eye contact with some people.
• Don't stand stiffly - move around a bit - but don't fiddle with your hands or jangle your loose change!
• Speak clearly and not too quickly.
• Wear a watch in case there is no clock in the room.

Visual Aids

Over 80% of the data we remember is visual. Visual aids:

• catch and hold people's attention
• explain points clearly
• look professional
• act as notes to remind you of the order of things
• draw attention away from you, which can help if you are nervous.

What kinds of visual aid?

•  Computer: This holds people's attention best. Use animated effects with a program such as Powerpoint. Make sure words can be read easily.
• Video: Set your tape to the place you want to begin. Time the clips you are using to be sure they fit in.
• Overhead projector (OHP): Write on the slides with special pens, or type them on a computer. Use colour to stress key points. Again, make sure words can be read easily.
• Flipchart/Chalkboard/Whiteboard: Use these for feedback from the audience. Write down points as people make them. Check that they can read your writing from the back of the room.
• Objects: Such as gadgets or photographs. Don’t pass around fragile or valuable items unless you know the audience well or you only have a few objects.
• Handouts: A quiz, a puzzle - something to do with the topic - can break the ice. Other ideas are 'would you believe it?' facts or quotes. Give out printed notes with key points or statistics that people might find it hard to remember.

If you are borrowing equipment for your presentation:

• book it in advance
• check the day before that it is still available, and in working order
• arrive in good time to set it up and practise using it before the audience arrives.

Thinking on your feet

This part might scare you most, but practice and preparation should give you confidence.

At the end, if you ask for questions, what if somebody asks you something you don’t know?

Don’t worry. If you have prepared well, it is likely that you will know the answer. And nobody knows all there is to know on any subject. If you are stuck, don't make up an answer. Admit ignorance. Ask if anybody else knows the answer. Turn it to your advantage, say something like: 'That’s a very good question. It’s worth looking into. I’ll see if I can find out.'