29/09/2015

Effective Presentation
Skills
Adapted from: Dr. Leonard M. Lye
Associate Dean (Graduate Studies)
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
Memorial University of Newfoundland

At what times in your career might

you have to give a presentation?

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Presentation
You may be required to give a presentation to:

a class as part of a course requirement

audiences at a technical conference

examiners of your thesis

clients of a project

potential employers about yourself

the public about why they should elect you

What is a Presentation?

The preparation and delivery of essential

information in a logical, succinct manner leading to
productive result

Types:

Persuasive (proposals or sales)

Informative (transfer/sharing information)

Briefing (presenting to higher ups)

Instructional (teaching)

Combination of above (thesis, research paper)

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Presentation Planning Process

Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Presentations
(P6)
Six steps:
1.

Establish objectives

2.

Analyze the audience

3.

Create a preliminary plan

4.

Select resources

5.

Organize and develop material

6.

Practice and evaluate

Step 1: Establish Objectives

Provides focus and answers.

Why are you making this presentation?

What reaction do you want from the audience?

What do you want to happen as a result of your

presentation?

Dont try to cover everything.

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Step 2: Analyze the Audience

Answers the questions:

Who is in the audience?

Why are they listening to you?

What is their level of knowledge of the subject?

What are they interested in hearing?

Do they expect data or concepts?

How do they like to receive information?

Step 3: Create a Preliminary Plan

A conceptual guide that includes:

Objectives

Audience information

3 to 5 main ideas

Supporting factual information

What you will cover

Level of detail

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Step 4: Select Resources

Resource materials include:

Stories/theories

Charts, graphs, tables

Equations/models

Pictures

Videos

Other information that supports your main ideas

Step 5: Organize and Develop Material

OPENINGBriefly state what

you will be talking about and
why

BODYTalk details

CONCLUSIONBriefly
summarize the key information

Be concrete
(use examples, statistics, reiteration,
comparison)

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Opening or Introduction

Second most important part of presentation

Information the audience will retain about you

Establish relationship with audience

Include hook

Outline content

Body -The Hook

Attracts the interest of the audience

Introduces the content of presentation

Types

Incentive

Surprise

Curiosity

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Conclusion

Most important part of presentation

Recall the hook

Repeat the message

Transition to action
decision,

questions

Stay in control until the end

Step 6: Practice and Evaluate

Practicing and self-evaluation are key!

Practice out loud at least twice

Dont memorize

Allow 1 minute per slide on average (e.g. 15

minutes talk, use 15 slides).

STAY ON TIME leave time for questions

Practice with a trial audience

Practice if possible in the actual venue

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Delivering your presentation SPEAK

S= Simplify your material less is more
P= Prepare and practice
E= Enthusiasm
A= Anxiety channel it
K= Knowledge of your subject

Enthusiasm

Your most potent weapon

If you do not seem excited by your idea or talk,

why should the audience be?

Wakes em up

Makes people dramatically more receptive

Gets you loosened up, breathing, moving around

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Anxiety/Fear/Nervousness
glossophobia(or speech anxiety) the fear of public
speaking; from the Greek glssa, meaning tongue,
and phobos, meaning fear or dread.
Source: Wikipedia

Glossophobia
Symptoms include:

intense anxiety prior to, or simply at the thought of

having to verbally communicate with any group,

avoidance of events which focus the group's

attention on individuals in attendance,

physical distress, nausea, or feelings of panic in

such circumstances (inability to breathe, inability to
stand up, inability to operate brain).

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Dealing with Anxiety

Nervousness: Nothing wrong with having

butterflies; but you want to have them fly in
formation. Accept it, and live with it.

Harness your nervousness, make it work for you

instead of against you.

Deep breathing while waiting your turn. Take a few

deep breaths before speaking.

Start with a neutral, easy-to-say phrase e.g. good

afternoon [no brain required]

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Dealing with Anxiety

Move around, use large gestures, wave your arms,

stand on chairs.

Go to the washroom first

SMILE and maintain a positive attitude.

Maintain good posture stand tall, chest out.

Everyone feels this way.

Good news: Nobody has died by giving a

presentation yet!

Pre-presentation Strategies

Arrive early

Check media equipment

Locate and check light and temperature controls

Review your notes

Use the loo, toilet, washroom, or WC

Do deep breathing

Relax and stay calm

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Verbal Communication Techniques

How you say something is just as important as what
you say.
Project your voice dont mumble
Maintain an appropriate pace dont rush
Use familiar words e.g. facilitate = help
Use clear, correct, and concise words
Make smooth transitions first, as a result, on the
other hand, next, etc.
Avoid the use of fillersumms, ahs, ...

Non-verbal Communication Techniques

DO NOT speak to the screen, floor, back wall,

ceiling, or anywhere other than the audience.

Find a friendly face in multiple locations around the

room. Make eye contact.

Identify a nodder, and speak to him or her (better

still, more than one)

Make each person in the audience think you are

talking to her or him personally

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Introducing Your Presentation

Capture your audience attention

Prepare your audience

Review your presentation objectives

Be optimistic

Make positive comments

Show confidence

SMILEhelps to relax you

Introduction Techniques
Six methods:
1.

Ask a rhetorical question. What is considered an

effective presentation?

2.

Ask for a show of hands. How many of you love

public speaking?

3.

Use an interesting or famous quotation.

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Introduction Techniques
Six methods:
4.

Define a term: What is glossophobia?

5.

Share a personal experience

6.

At my first conference talk, one of the most famous

people in my field was in the audience. Oh S____!

Tell a joke be sensitive

Finishing

FINISH ON TIME!

Audiences essentially stop listening when your

time is up.

Simply truncate and conclude.

Leave time for questions.

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Dealing with Questions (Hard)

Dealing with Questions (Easy)

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Handling Questions

Expect questions opportunity to connect with your

audience.
Prepare yourself by thinking of questions you might
have if you heard your presentation.
Be prepared to not know the answer to a question.
Nothing is wrong with saying I dont know.
Wait for the question jot it down if possible.
Repeat the question to make sure you understand it.
Answer the question.
Clarify question, if needed.

Remember!

Keep it Short and Sweet (KISS)

Dont let technology dominate your message

Use

plain background

Use

common fonts

Use

simple graphs and tables

Dont

clutter up your page

Limit

use of colour

Plan to uncover rather than to cover

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Concluding Remarks

You dont have to be outstanding to stand out.

You will attend 50x as many talks as you give.

Watch other peoples talks, and pick up ideas for

what to do and what not to do.

The greatest ideas are worthless if you keep

them to yourself.

1 minute Presentation
Deliverable:
One PowerPoint slide to accompany your talk.
Slide must be uploaded to D2L before 5 pm Friday, October
2
Information should include:
Name
Program/research area
Where you are from
Your hidden talent or skill, funny anecdote, anything not
obvious.
Anything else you would like us to know ( remember, you
need to speak for a minute)

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