1. Preparing Your
Presentation
Richard Sapon-White
February 18, 2013

2. Know What You Will Present
Do your background reading!
Go beyond the initial articles
Search for other articles or read cited articles
If necessary, focus your talk on one or two particular
aspects
Create an outline
Introduction
Make your points
Conclusion
Fill in your outline with notes

3. General Structure
Tell what you will say (Introduction)
Say it (Main Points)
Tell what you said (Conclusion)

4. Create Your PowerPoint
Presentation
Title slide
Outline slide
Slides for your main points
Concluding slide
You may use another presentation software package if
you prefer. Make sure it will work on the classroom
computer before your presentation!

5. Keep in Mind…
Illustrate your talk
Avoid lots of text
Use animations

6. Practice Your Talk
Ask yourself: Do your points follow one another
logically? Do you make good transitions from one point
to the next?
What questions might the class ask? Are you prepared
to answer them?
How could you illustrate your talk to make your points
clearer?
Time yourself (should be 30 minutes)!! Consider
practicing in front of a classmate, friend, or family
member

7. Final Slide
Thank your audience
Include your name [and contact information]
Posting site for your presentation
Please post to SlideShare
May also include links and citations for more
information

8. During the presentation…
1. Stand
2. Speak loudly and clearly
3. Make eye contact with your audience
4. Take your time presenting, but avoid long silences
5. Avoid reading your slides
6. Enjoy yourself!

9. Final actions
After your presentation, please send your presentation
to richard.sapon-white@oregonstate.edu
IF you want feedback BEFORE your PowerPoint, please
send by midnight on the Thursday prior to your
presentation time.
I will send you feedback by midnight on Friday