Presentations

A General Introduction into the basic principles

Why do we ask you do PRESENTATIONS?

1. It encourages you to organise your ideas, to construct logical arguments and it fulfils the objectives of HE

  There are also vocational objectives; many careers require you to make public presentations3. Business and many professions needs communicators written and oral

   4. Being well practiced is an advantage 5. At many job interviews candidates are required

to give a presentation

Organisational Framework

• Chronological/sequential development

• Scale: overview, followed by case studies

• Spatial: sequence ordered by area

• Causal: the consequences of an event

• Order of importance: rank list of consequences

Effective Presentations• Preparation: clear purpose and objectives, gather material, know

audience,time, visual aids

• Drafting: plan the sequence, decide what needs to be said, shown, given out, prepare drafts, opening and finishing points

• Rehearsal and review: do it, timing, have you fulfilled objectives

• Final preparation: check visual aids, can you read your notes

• Structure: explain the format, introduce, sum up

• Delivery: be clear, eye contact, voice, simple

• Visual aids: clear and readable, limit words

Visual Aids

Impact and removes need for descriptions

• Photographs

• Tables

• Diagrams

• Charts

• Drawings

• Key words

Different types of Visual aids• Overhead Projector transparencies-

prepared on a computer. 18 point at least

• White or blackboard

• Paper handouts

• Flip charts

• Video

• 35mm slides

• Artefacts or props

• PowerPoint presentation

Visual Concepts

• Use pictures instead of words

• Pie charts for percentages

• Bar graphs for comparisons

• Simple data rather than full tables

• Make eye contact with the audience

• Do not block views of the visual aids

• Remove illustrations as soon as you are finished with them

Introduction Provide a Framework

          State the topic

          State the aims and purposes

          Outline the scope of the talk

Provide a plan of the discussion

Visual aids: title, definitions, plan of presentation, image to encapsulate the presentation,highlight key question

Capture your audience’s attention

• A quote, a question, an amazing fact, a little story, a GOOD joke

Make the introduction lively- first impressions etc.

The Main Body • Ensure you provide reasons and evidence to

support your case• Do not try to cover too much• Provide your case logically• Support points with examples• Connect points together

Visual aids: new points highlighted with image or phrase, data to support technical information, supporting evidence

The Conclusion • Cue it!

• Restate the main points using different words, review implications

• Relate back to aims

• End your talk emphatically

Visual aids: Summarise your main points, conclusion with phrase or image, key references

Some other points to bear in mind • It’s a talk not a speech: so do not prepare a full

text to be read• Use memory prompts: key words on cards or

visual aids• Write a summary for the audience (PowerPoint

handout?) • If you have statistical data obviously a OHP

and/or handout should be used but do not read the numbers out, generalise use orders of magnitude

• Keep the number of ohp’s down, keep them neat and simple. Keep them consistent, 5 or 6 points on each, normally typed. Use charts

Further points about delivery • Be confident and

enthusiastic• Talk naturally, simple

language, short sentences but this is a formal occasion!

• Make eye contact with the audience

• Keep to the time limit

• Speak clearly, engage your audience- vary volume, pitch (group presentations with frequent and slick changes in speaker are good)

• Do not bury your head in your notes

Assessment of Presentations

• An assessed Presentation as a learning skill

• An assessed presentation to report research and/or other information

Presentation Assessment Schedule

Student Group Title Assessor

Introduction Purpose/aims made clear Sources outlined Key issues identified and made clear Framework for dealing with issues clear

Good OK Poor

Maximum Mark

10

Grade Awarded

Body of Presentation Quality of information available Oral Information appropriate Visual aids illustrate points Identification of changes in circumstances and causal factors

Good OK Poor

Maximum Mark

30 Grade

Awarded

Conclusion Ending signalled Adequate summary Link back to aims

Good OK Poor

Maximum Mark

20 Grade

Awarded

Quality of Support materials/Visual aids/Presentation

Appropriate Visibility Well prepared and organised

Good OK Poor

Maximum Mark

20

Grade awarded

Delivery/Rendition Speech clear/audible Enthusiasm Engagement with audience Kept to time Appropriate pace Teamwork

Good OK Poor

Maximum Mark

20

Grade Awarded

Total Marks Awarded

General Comments

Research presentation

Presentation Assessment

Assessment of Project Presentation

Comments Max. Mark

Mark

Clear explanation of Topic involved. Posing of Research question in right context, incl. some mention of literature

15

Methods explanation

15

Results and analysis

15

Conclusion

15

Presentation Skills Familiarity: speaking rather than reading

10

Clear and audible 10 Interaction with audience 10 Timing: keeping to limit 10

  Comments Max.Mark

Mark

Clear explanation of Topic involved. Posing of Research question in right context, incl. some mention of literature  

   15

 

Methods explanation   

   15

 

 Results and analysis   

   15

 

Conclusion  

  15  

Presentation Skills

     

Familiarity: speaking rather than reading 

  10