How to give a presentation

Ross Woods, Rev. 2022

If this is your first time speaking in front of others, here some hints:

  1. Prepare with a good set of notes that addresses the topic.
  2. Crystallize your message; try to express your topic in ten words or less. As a general rule, if you can’t say what it is in one concise sentence, you are probably not quite sure what it is.
  3. Your purpose is to help your listeners to understand a topic of new information. That is, your main task is to make that information easy to understand and apply. Do not preach.
  4. Get the basic information right.
    1. Think of your audience, so that they will understand it.
    2. Give enough detail so your listeners understand what you are trying to say. Identify the main points you need to get across, and separate them from supporting points. This is not as easy as it sounds, because many students think “Everything is necessary.” You might need to omit content from your plan just to fit in the time limit.
    3. Don’t be tempted to digress.
    4. Prepare one-sentence answers for the following questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how?

Preparing a Powerpoint

  1. Ask if you can use software such as PowerPoint. It is usually permissible, but is not required. It will make your presentation easier for your listeners to follow, and will help keep you on track. (It will also help prevent you from digressions caused by nervousness.)
  2. Do a Google search on something like “PowerPoint Presentation Checklists.” Skim the suggestions and use those that apply to you.
  3. Keep each slide short with a minimum of words so that you can focus clearly on the main points.
  4. Add suitable graphics that help make your point and engage your listeners, but avoid gimmicks.

Practicing your presentation

  1. Practice alone.
    1. Just give the information clearly. Don’t try to impress people or to preach.
    2. Keep eye contact with your audience. (Use your notes, but don’t read them.)
    3. Keep your hands under control.
    4. Breathe and talk slowly. (Nervous people tend to talk faster and omit pauses.)
    5. If using Powerpoint, have a script for each slide and don't just read off the slides.
    6. Some things that seemed sensible in a written plan mightn't seem so logical when you start verbalizing them.
    7. Some sentences sound awkward and this is a good time to tweak them. (The worst are long, convoluted sentences and unintended tongue-twisters.)
    8. Practice again and again. It's best if you can rehearse it enough times so that it feels easy and natural, and it will help you to relax and have fun. You will then be able to relate to people more easily because you're confident with the content.
    9. Presentations normally have time limits. Time yourself until your presentation fits into the time allowed.
    10. Record yourself to make sure you convey the main points. (You might miss this step if you intensely dislike watching or listening to yourself.)
  2. After you’ve practiced alone, practice with a friend as your audience. You might find that some things that made sense when you were alone suddenly don’t make sense when you have a real person as the audience. Ask for honest feedback, and be thankful for it. Incorporate their feedback as appropriate.
  3. General tips:
    1. If you have practiced well, you can be more relaxed during the actual presentation.
    2. Ask your instructor if you can give a practice or mock presentation beforehand.
    3. Keep it serious and don't use any gimmicks.
    4. Remember: Panic and worry are not preparation.
    5. Don’t get discouraged. The first time usually feels difficult, even if you do really well.

In the actual presentation

On the day, just do as you practiced. Follow your notes, but don't read them. If you've done your homework, the content won't be your main problem; you'll probably be very nervous. Keep the basic outline clear and simple, and don’t go into details that would confuse listeners.