Tips for the perfect presentation

1. CGW Presentation Do’s and Utilising Graphic Materials (audio
Don’ts: Supplemental and/or visual)
Visual materials must serve a purpose.
They should illuminate some aspect of the
Know Your Materials issue or move the discussion forward.
(a) Avoid Reading Off: You should be They should be relevant and timely. Also,
off-script so to speak. Reading from your some information is best presented in
notes verbatim does not a presentation visual form. Here I am referring, in
make! Your job is to become the “expert” particular to alot of the data that was
on your (limited) subject matter. You rhymed off in a number of the
should be able to speak to the audience presentations. Turning the data into
knowledgeably with minimum reference simple graphics (maps, charts, graphs)
to your notes. This also includes knowing and then speaking to the patterns and
how to pronounce the vocabulary that is trends that can be observed will aid
included in (relevant to) your retention on the part of the audience.
presentation.
Be Prepared!
(b) Use Your Own Words: Beware that The Boy Scout motto - Be Prepared - applies
you are not simply parroting a website well here. You must know, in advance,
(including their own self aggrandizing what audio-visual materials you are using
promotional materials). The text of your and when you are using them. They must
presentation should sound like you. While be pre-loaded on the computer, or
we’re on the subject of language, you hotlinked on a flash drive file, so they are
must eliminate all “garbage language” ready to go to when necessary. Under no
from your presentation vocabulary - the circumstances should there be surfing
ah’s, uhm’s, like’s, etc. going on, on screen, behind a speaker.
This is a huge distraction and takes away
Reading Off Screen from their hard work and effort.
An extension of the above noted point.
Neither should you be reading verbatim Speed... Slow Down!
off the screen at the front of the class. This Speed bump ahead! Whoa Nellie! Make
naturally leads into the following point... sure that you speak at a pace that your
audience can follow. This is especially
The Dangers of Power Point important if/where/when you are dealing
As I cautioned before the presentations with information that includes lots of
began... Beware! Beware falling into the statistics and (random) facts. What
trap of putting everything you want to exactly are you expecting your audience
say on the screen and simply reading it to take in? If you want them to remember
off. It’s called Power Point for a reason... particular stats/facts then they must be
provided an opportunity to note and digest
Voice, Body Stance and Positioning that information... and/or provide it on
Your voice and body stance should reflect the summary handout.
your interest and enthusiasm in the
subject matter (fake it if you have none). Be Specific
Further your should be positioned so that Giving us the big picture is great... But,
you are facing the audience. You should there’s a but! At some point you have to
not be presenting your back to anyone in get specific. For instance, listing the basic
your audience. Neither should you be principles or goals of some programme or
positioned such that you are in front of, or another is a good starting point, but you
blocking, another group member while need to also provide clear description of
they are speaking to the audience. what the goal/principle means in plain

2. English as well as concrete examples of Presentations TIPS!!
how (they plan) to achieve these
principles or goals. • question and reason with the class
• explain points clearly until understood
The Comprehension Check (the quizlet • use many and varied visual aids
or whatever it is) • work with answers given by audience -
This was supposed to be able to be handed even when not exactly what you were
in for evaluation... after you marked it. looking for
The questions asked were to assess their • be well organised
understanding of the key issues, not test • clear speech - enunciate each word slowly
whether or not your audience members and clearly
had taken in a random sampling of • vary the tone and pitch of your
numerical facts (which they’d have been presentation... lose the MONOTONE!!
hard pressed to have done with the speed • know material by heart... DO NOT read off
many were motoring along at!) Also, the your notes
intent was not that they be the equivalent • become an expert on your particular
of open book... i.e. don’t tell them the topic... exudes confidence
answers are on the handout, and let them • relax, slow down... don’t rush and stutter
look at it. and stumble for words
• vary the pace and structure of your
Mind Your Timing presentation... keep audience interest
Do a run through of your presentation in • include all group members in presentation
advance... either individually or as a • make information relevant
group. You must mind the time. There • maintain eye contact with all members of
are a specified number of people who have the audience... invites them to participate
to speak in a specified period of time. If and maintains crowd control
you take more than your share you create • keep audience interested - watch for signs of
a time crunch for the group members who restlessness and address them
follow you. • provide audience with definitions of terms
• place information in a context that the
Mind Your Manners audience can relate to
Avoid, at all costs, creating a distraction • invite audience participation
while your other group members are • use blackboard and overhead to assist with
presenting. If you’re not the speaker you presentation
should be sitting quietly by, nodding quiet • review important points of information as
support and confirmation of what your presenting and in summary at the end of
other group members are saying... not the presentation
chit-chatting away on the sidelines. • provide outline - road map - at beginning so
audience knows what to expect
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. and The Golden Rule • provide answers to all questions asked
For your classmates. They have worked • speak loudly and face the audience
hard on their presentations as indeed, • avoid “garbage” language (i.e. uhm, ahh,
presumably, you have. You owe it to your like, etc)
classmates to sit and listen attentively to • use humour to keep things interesting -
their presentation. Surely you expect the BUT use it wisely!!
same of them when you give yours? • use lots of examples... including metaphors,
Remember the Golden Rule: that you similes, etc.
should “Do unto others as you would have • make the presentation age appropriate
done unto you.” If you are late to class, • dont fidget... and LOSE THE GUM!!
come in quietly, take your seat and do not • use quick quizzes to test audience
create a distraction/disturbance. comprehension