Mastering Presentation Skills: Tips and Techniques for Effective Communication
This presentation by Timothy J. Foster, held at the University of Nottingham and Unilever Vlaardingen in March 2010, explores the essential elements of delivering an impactful presentation. Key topics include structuring your talk, engaging the audience with passion and clarity, and using visual aids effectively. Foster emphasizes the importance of preparation, timing, body language, and handling questions confidently. Attendees will learn practical techniques to improve their presentation skills, turning any talk into a memorable experience.
Mastering Presentation Skills: Tips and Techniques for Effective Communication
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Presentation Skills Timothy J. Foster University of Nottingham 18 month Meeting, Unilever Vlaardingen, March 29-31, 2010
What Makes a good presentation? • Good, simple introduction • Warm, confident voice • Clear structure • Speaking clearly • Passion for subject • Free of unnecessary jargon • Visually interesting slides • Appropriate use of humour • Large fonts
What Makes a good presentation? • Positive body language • Making sure screen is always visible • No fidgeting • Eye contact with audience • Verbal pointers indicating different sections • Summary Slide • Presentation at correct level for audience • Staying within time limit • Handling questions confidently and honestly
Presentation Skills • Skills required • Preparation • Content • Structure • Delivery • Timing • Visual Aids • Response to Questions • Summing Up
Presentation Skills • Qualities needed • Confidence • Impact • Manner • Non-verbals
Presentation Skills • Learning from experience • Self-Assessment • Feedback
Different Presentation Structures • The Classical • The Problem Centred • The Comparative • The Sequential • The Thesis
The Classical • Introduction • a b c • a b c • a b c 5. Conclusion
The Problem Centred • Statement of problem • Solution 1 • Solution 2 • Solution 3 • Conclusion
The Comparative • Introduction: Items X and Y • Feature 1 X and Y • Feature 2 X and Y • Feature 3 X and Y • Summary
The Sequential • Introduction • Argument 1…leads to • Argument 2…leads to • Argument 3 • Conclusion
The Thesis • Introduction • Assertion is made and then proved or disproved • Using a mixture of argument, evidence, speculation… • Conclusion
Controlling your nerves • Prepare • Rehearse • Use your breath • Get as much experience as you can • Learn from watching others
Making Talks Memorable • Good recall depends on: • Actively processing information • Gain attention/involvement • Amount to be remembered • Keep attention • Use structure • Depth of processing • Elaborate with examples, visual imagery • Make the audience work • Relationship to existing knowledge • Relate to everyday/prior experience
Gaining Attention • Startling fact • Question • Quotation • Anecdote • Humour
General Hints • KIS(S) – plenty of white space, not too many ideas per page • Use figures or pictures if appropriate • Use clear bullet points • Make sure font is big enough • Include clear introduction slide • Include a clear conclusion slide
Do Use colour carefully Practise Have prompts if you need them Do & Don’t
Do Use colour carefully Practise Have prompts if you need them (These might be visual and use them as tabs) Do & Don’t
Do Use colour carefully Practise Have prompts if you need them Don’t Over-do effects Crowd slides Have too many slides Talk with your back to the audience Use a script Do & Don’t
Close / negative Arms folded Legs folded Avoiding eye contact Nervous pacing or fidgeting Trembling Breathing shallow, high in chest Touching face Slumped shoulders Open / positive Arms uncrossed Legs uncrossed Warm eye contact Solid stance In control Breathing deep, into belly No distracting mannerisms Shoulders back Body Language