Guidelines for

Oral Presentations

University of the Sacred HeartDepartment of Humanities

Center for Language Development Across the

Disciplines LAD

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and

learning from failure”

Gen. Colin L. Powell

Objectives

To help with the preparation process of oral presentations and activities

To improve oral presentation skills

How to Focus Your Message

Determine if you want to:

Motivate EducatePersuade Inform

Components of a Presentation

All presentations must have:

An introduction

A body

A conclusion

Organize Your Message Effectively

Determine your topic, and what you will cover

Brainstorm and organize all your ideas

Research - Make sure you are well-informed on your topic

Classify and order your ideas

Emphasize the important elements

Write an Effective Conclusion

Summarize the key points of the presentation

Summarize how to implement solutions

Summarize future predictions based on your persuasion strategies

Creating the Presentation

Make it BIG

If it looks too big on the computer, it’s the perfect size

Keep it SIMPLE

Present the main idea of each concept

Creating the Presentation

Make it CLEAR

Choose an appropriate font, font size, and color

Be CONSISTENT

Use a logical sequence and one format

Preparation

Prepare your visuals in advance

Always make back-up copies

Rehearse a lot (avoid the use of papers or note cards)

Know how to use the technical equipment

Preview the room, and select the layout that is best for your presentation

Advantages of Visual Aids

Enhance understanding of the topic

Help your speech be more impressive, and improve your image

Maintain the audience’s attention and increase their interest

Help build credibility

Add variety

Diversity of Audiovisual Aids

Sketches and Maps

Graphs & Charts

Photographs, Pictures & Slides

Objects, Models or

“Realia”

Posters & Books

PowerPoint Presentations

Audiovisual Equipment

Overhead Projectors

Slides & Transparencies

Handouts, pamphlets,

brochures

Films, videotapes, audio

tapes, music,

CD-ROMs & iPods

Preparing Effective PowerPoint Slides

Use visuals sparingly

Rule 7 X 7Use no more than 7 lines of text per slideUse no more than 7 words per line of text

Restrict the contents of tables and graphs

Maintain uniformity in font style, font size, and bullets

Constructing Effective Visual Aids

Never use confusing abbreviations

The use of periods at the end of the bullets is not necessary

Artistry and sounds do not substitute for content, and they can distract your audience

Select complimentary colors; avoid color clashes

Use fonts like “Sans Serif” or “Times New Roman”

Constructing Effective Visual Aids

Transparencies

Slides

Hand- outs

Title 36 pt 48 pt 24 pt

Subtitles

28 pt 36 pt 20 pt

Body 24 pt 28 pt 16-18 pt

Construction of Graphs

Present one graphper slide

Limit the amount of numbers or figures

No more than 3 curves or horizontal bar lines per graph

40%

13%0%

47%

Excellent Good

Fair Deficient

Reading Comprehension in English

Examples of Font Sizes

This is font 48This is font 36This is font 28This is font 24This is font 20This is font 18This is font 16

The font size of the word below is written in 48.

Overuse of Visual Aids

Attention of audience will be divided

Audience may pay more attention to visuals than to speaker

Avoid slides with too much movement and/or sounds

How to Conduct Yourself During Your Presentation

Be punctual

Stand up, or sit straight

Keep hands in front of you

Maintain eye contact with the audience on all sides of the room

Start the presentation with a smile

Use a conversational tone

Dress neatly and professionally

Use Your Voice Effectively

Speak loud enough to be heard, and be confident

Don’t speak in a monotone

Alternate the rate of your voice

Slow down when emphasizing important points

Pauses can also be used to add emphasis

Drink water to prevent voice problems

Top Ten Mistakes Made by Presenters

No preparation

No presentation objectives

Mediocre first impression

Lack good visuals

Ineffective closing

Lack of enthusiasm

No eye contact

Lack of facial expression

Stays in one place

No audience involvement

Things to Avoid

Corporal Movement

Swinging and moving excessively

Playing with hair

Chewing gum

Clicking the top of a pen

Playing with jewelry

Leaning against something for support

Things to Avoid

SpeakingToo fastToo slowToo low

Arrogance

Fillers (repetitive sounds and phrases)“ah” “um”“and”

Voice

Steps to Reduce Your Speaking Anxiety

Know the roomArrive early Walk around the room

Know the audience

Know, practice, and revise your material

Learn how to relax

Visualize yourself speaking

Realize people want you to succeed

Don’t apologize for being nervous

Concentrate on your message

Turn nervousness into positive energy

Gain experience

How to Control Your Nervousness

Transform fear and nervousness to presentation presence and strength

Breathe deeply and exhale slowly (repeat)

Stretch your muscles (neck, legs, and arms)

Repeat breathing exercise, close your eyes, relax,

feel prepared and ready

Walk the room: feel the space of your success

Greet your audience (Impact them)

Question and Answer Session

Know the background of your topic

Find out if there are any current / recent studies

Know if there is any influence or impact on society / environment / organization

Know the sources on which your research is based

References

4 Important Design Concepts – http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/OTEd/jradel/Effective_visuals/102.html

Preparing EFL Learners for Oral Presentations

Presenters Online http://www.presentersonline.com

References

Overcoming Speaking Anxiety in Meetings and Presentations

http://www.all-biz.com/newroot/Authors.asp?

“Técnicas de Presentación Publicitaria”Prof. Modesto Aguayo, Universidad de Sagrado Corazón

Using Visual Aidshttp://www.askjeeves.com/main/followup.asp?qcat=home&ask=how+can+i+make+a+good+oral+presentation

GOOD LUCK!!!

Prepared by Professors Delia Serrano and Jennifer Soler 2002 Revised by Professor Delia Serrano 2003 Revised by Patricia Kidd 2004 Revised by Prof. Delia Serrano 2005