Oral Presentations

1. Oral presentations need structure, and organization. Your presentation should have a strong beginning, middle, and end.

  • You will want an introduction of some type that establishes the focus of the presentation for your audience.   The clearer you are at the beginnSing, the better your audience will be able to follow the points you are developing.

  • You will want to think especially hard about transitions - those key statements that let the audience know you are moving on to another point, linking an upcoming point to one made earlier, moving in a different direction, or bringing up a point from an earlier part in the presentation.
  • Consider your audience - what you think they know and don't know.
  • Finally, the conclusion should tie together the points you have made and bring the presentation to a smooth closure.  The conclusion should use the preceding points to consider a larger point.  It should leave the audience thinking, "I really learned something from that" or "That really made me think."

2. You will have at least 5 minutes to explain your project.  

  • You may use an outline or notes, but whichever method you use, you must come prepared.  You should practice your presentation in front of an audience of family or friends.  They can help you correct where you are not clear about a point and may offer suggestions to improve your presentation.  Practicing will also help you become comfortable with your words and enable you to rewrite parts of your presentation that you feel do not sound  appropriate.  This is also a good opportunity to time yourself to see how long your presentation will take (not including questions from the audience, but including all supplemental material you will present.)

 3. Relax.  This is as friendly an audience as you are likely to speak in front of - everyone will be performing a similar task.  Everyone wants you to do well!

4. Make eye contact with you audience, avoid a monotone delivery, and convey a sense of enthusiasm and interest in your subject.

5. Audio-visual aids or handouts are often useful tools.  Make sure they are appropriate and do not distract from your presentation.  They should be used for illustration and emphasis.  Do not rely on them to make the point themselves.

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