Efective presentation

How to do a good presentation?

There are some things which you have to follow. They are:

• appearance;
• good behaviour;
• good talk about the topic;
• planing a presentation;
• trust yourself;
• comunication with audience (eye-contact, questions);
• good mood (with smile);
• to use visual aids;
• others.

Now some sentences about making a good presentation.

Appearance
Dress neatly and tidily - first impressions are important.
Carry yourself in a confident and professional manner.

Eye Contact
Keep eye contact with the class. This will:

• keep them alert.
• make them feel that they are being directly spoken to.
• make them feel part of the class.
• give them confidence in you as the instructor/presenter.

Monitor the class' reactions to what you are saying so that you can adjust your talk accordingly.

Do not:

• stare (intimidate).
• move your eyes from side to side (distraction).
• look out the window or at the clock (indicates boredom).
• look only at the training aids or chalk board (this can be perceived as impolite).
• look at your feet or at the ceiling (indication of nervousness or timidity).
  

Body Movements
Be natural - don't move around too much or too little.

Do not:

• stand rigid.
• march.
• slouch.

Do:

• move forward for emphasis (e.g. when standing at a podium).
• relax when talking from behind a desk -this creates some intimacy with a group.
• slowly and on occasion move from side to side to engage all parts of the class.

Gestures
Do: use meaningful and appropriate gestures to make a point.
Do not, or at least avoid:

• play with keys or coins in your pocket.
• use your hands too much, touching your nose or ears and excessive coughing.
• use gestures that indicate you are washing your hand of a situation or wringing your hands because of frustration.
• use a praying gesture as some may find this offensive or foot tap as this may be perceived as patronizing.
• use a pointer, pen, pencil or chalk to point at an individual may be perceived as offensive.
  

Voice

Volume - Speak loudly enough to be heard.
Pitch - Use effectively to convey meaning.
Rate - Speak more quickly to convey enthusiasm.
- Speak more slowly to emphasize key points or issues.

Do not:

• speak so quickly that no one can understand.
• speak so quickly that materials are glossed over rather than well explained so that they are understood.
• speak so slowly that people become bored or drowsy.

Articulation
Speak clearly, pronouncing words carefully -don't mumble. Control your lips, teeth and tongue to assist you.

Language
Avoid "pet" expressions (e.g."O.K.","Like", "You know").
Do not use profanity.

Humor

Use humour but only appropriately.

The structure of the presentation is:

1. Introduction;
2. Body;
3. Conclusion.
   

In the introduction, you "tell them what you are going to tell them".
In the main body, you "tell them".
In the conclusion, you "tell them what you told them" .

The introduction should clearly tell the audience what the presentation will cover so that the audience is prepared for what is to come.

The body should develop each point previewed in the introduction.

The conclusion should reiterate the ideas presented and reinforce the purpose of the presentation. It usually answers the question: "so what?"

The conclusion should reiterate the ideas presented and reinforce the purpose of the presentation. It usually answers the question: "so what?"

Visual aids

• They help your audience understand your ideas.
• They help the audience follow your argument, your "train" of thought.
• They make your presentation more memorable and thus increase the chances that what you said will be remembered.

This is the place were you can learn more about how to make a good presentacion: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~riceowl/oral_presentations.htm