1. Effective Presentations Dr Sean Dodd

2. How is a Presentation structured? • The same as any report or essay: • Introduction • Main body • Conclusion

3. Activity 1 Consider: • Imagine you were in a lecture with a guest speaker instead of your normal lecturer • Identify what you would want to know before you could relax and start listening

4. Is the Introduction the same as for a report or essay?.... Yes, but there are extra requirements: First you should: • Introduce the members in the project group • Indicate each member’s contribution • Enables the audience to acclimatise themselves to listening to you • This is like looking at the cover of the book before reading

5. ….Is the Introduction the same as for a written Report or Essay? Then you should: • Introduce the Presentation material as you would a Report or Essay: • Explain the question • Provide necessary back ground • Explain technical terms • Explain the structure of the response

6. Activity 2: Consider: • How good are you at remembering the content of lectures? • What sort of thing do you remember? • What sort of thing do you forget? • Why?

7. How does preparing a Presentation differ from writing a Report or Essay? • Listening to the spoken word can be hard to follow, so: • Avoid very technical details • Include these in a handout • Consider level of expertise in the audience • You must consider the technique of speaking • You should support your Presentation with slides

8. What is the ‘Technique of Speaking’? • Make yourself easy to listen to: • Speak clearly • Make sure the pace is appropriate • Get the volume right • Too loud is as bad as too quiet • If your voice is heavily accented, practice • Use intonation in your voice

9. How else can I make it Interesting? • Use appropriate body language: • Look around at your audience • Smile • Stand tall - look confident Do not: • Turn round and read off the screen • Read off your notes or the computer monitor • Bury your head in your notes • Keep notes brief and be familiar with their content

10. Why are Slides Important? • Slides should support the presentation • Not dominate it • Well prepared slides can help the speaker • They can act as your notes • You can add detail that help the audience follow your argument • E.g. numbers

11. Activity 3 Consider: • Consider the slides that have been used in lectures that you have attended • What made slides good?

12. What makes a Good Presentation? • Avoid using too many words on each slide • Try to think for the audience • The slide should aid:- comprehension concentration the memory • Do apply a background as appropriate

13. What makes a Good Presentation? • Avoid using too many words on each slide • Try to think for the audience • The slide should aid:- comprehension concentration the memory • Do apply a background as appropriate

14. How can Slides help your Audience Concentrate? • Make the slides interesting • Use animations to enhance the presentation • But do not over-do it • Use space to organise concepts

15. Activity 4. Improve this slide. • Practise your group Presentation with your group members. You should time yourself and complete the eight slides within 10 minutes. You should stop when 10 minutes is up. • Ensure that each member of your group participates in the Presentation

16. Activity 4. An Improved Version: • Practise your Presentation with your group members • Time yourself: • Complete all eight slides within 10 minutes(You should stop when 10 minutes is up) • Ensure that each member of your group participates in the Presentation

17. How can Slides help You? • They can help you present your material fluently • A problem occurs at the end of each slide • -- what comes next? • Print a handout to remind you, or • Annotate your notes • Practice

18. Problem Presentations • The following problems are all typical errors made by students delivering Presentations for assessment • Nothing is exaggerated

19. Presenting with PowerPoint Nice Background Consistent font colour used throughout Far Too Much Information On One Slide For The Reader To See Comfortably ButEvery Animation Different DISTRACTING Nothing Aligned Variety of Fonts

20. Problems with ClipArt Poor colour choice Does not ‘fit’ the background Overcrowded

21. Activity 5. Consider: • What skills are required when giving a group Presentation? • Should anything else be considered?

22. In Summary • The structure is similar to the written word • The Introduction must introduce the group and topic • Detail must be supported by a separate handout • The manner of delivery must aid comprehension and keep the attention of the audience • Slides must be supportive and clear