BISC110/F13:Guidelines for oral presentations

The following tips from the PLTC Oral Presentation Peer-Tutors will help guide you in the development of your oral presentation.

TIPS:

• Keep it simple!
• Keep to the time limit. ( presentation + Q&A)
  

QUESTIONS:

• What is my purpose?
• Who is my audience?
• What do they already know about the topic?
• What information will they find relevant? interesting? amusing?
• If the information is controversial, what is the audience’s position, attitude or reaction likely to be?
• What information might I include/leave out?
  

ORGANIZATION:

• Engage the audience with your first sentence; don’t mistake your first sentence for your introduction.
• Use clear and simple topic sentences and transitions.
• How might I organize the material?
• Use scientific format to your advantage
  • Introduction (catch attention, set up problem, broad/specific questions, hypothesis, etc.)
  • Method (experimental design, set-up, etc.)
  • Results (what did you find, statistical significance, graph/table?)
  • Conclusion (explain what it all means, future directions, limitations, etc.)

• Have I made the structure of my talk clear to the audience?

PRACTICE AND DELIVERY:

• Practice enough so you avoid reading aloud.
• Nerves: if you know your material, nerves can only give you an extra boost of energy.
• Make sure you know how to use your visual aids with your presentation; practice on the technology you will be using.
• Look enthusiastic, confident, and sincere—don’t use weak words (just, really).
• Make eye contact in slow sweeps of the room (make “M” or “W” scans across the audience).
• Stand still; balanced on both feet.
• Any gestures or movements should appear natural and fit with what you are saying.
• Voice: watch for Volume, Clarity, Variety and Inflection!¬¬¬
• Watch for fillers: ah, umm, like, you know, OK.
• Talk slowly, remember the power of the silent pause—write in pauses if it helps.
• When giving a group presentation:
• Pay attention to the transitions
• Look interested and attentive when your team members are presenting.
• Anticipate questions: what are the weak points of your argument?
• When answering questions:
  • Don’t be defensive or roll your eyes.
  • Don’t rush to answer—remember, pauses can be powerful.
  • Smile your way through your mistakes

USING A POSTER:

• Follow the guidelines of your instructor (clear colors, spacing, visuals, etc).
• Give the audience a second to take in the poster and skim through it before beginning (to decrease distraction).
• Reference the poster in a logical fashion
• Don’t make your audience have to read everything
• If pointing, make it exact. Turn towards the poster, find the spot, turn back, and then begin talking while facing the audience.
• Other ideas: Props from experiments, model, handout, etc.
• Summarize quotations in your own words, drawing attention to their specific significance.

CONCLUSION:

• Sum up the 1 or 2 main points you wanted to make.
• Recapture your audience with your final statement; end on a high note.
• Prepare an outline or note cards.
• Use single key words.
• Number them!