How To Make an Effective Presentation

Introduction

The ‘Context’ of your presentation

The Audience

The Speaker

The Presentation

The Context What is the context, the environment,

how much time ? What is the overall purpose ? –

generally 3 forms of presentation: to inform to persuade to inspire

What is the specific aim, objective, message?

The Audience What are the needs and expectations

of your audience ? What is their background? Title of your presentation What will keep them interested?

Icebreaker!!

An Exercise – In pairs

‘You have won 50,000 Euro but have to give it all away. To which charity or institution would you donate it to and why’

The Speaker

Public speaking is the No.1 fear for most people

Most speakers are made not born 3 Ps – preparation, preparation,

preparation!

Handling Nerves Rehearse in advance Normal - audience often don’t notice Prepare for worst case scenario – e.g.

awkward questions Try to relax - deep breathing, arriving in

ample time, don’t hold pages, position yourself comfortably

Your audience not focused on you – more interested in the information

Have a glass of water at hand

What Many Presenters Do

Write out the whole presentation Read - instead of communicating Talk too fast Dull voice Irritating mannerisms Become self-conscious No eye contact Overload with information !

Presentation: the Planning Phase

What is the specific aim or objective ? Research- gather

information/brainstorm Identify the central theme/idea Develop the main points or outline

The Preparation Phase

Introduction, body and conclusion Develop headings Does your introduction catch

attention? Open with a question, quotation,

story, factual information, historical review

The Preparation Phase Visual aids

Keep it simple, professional Few points on each page Heading on each page, numbering,

slogan Visuals: pictures, charts, photographs Emphasise points with colour

Use cue cards, words or phrases as triggers

How we take in information during a presentation

Use visuals (pictures, graphs, tables, props) whenever you can

In a speech you are only using 38% of the communication medium

Ditch the bullet points

The Preparation Phase Does your conclusion adequately

summarise your presentation? Prepare your closing to suit your

personality, e.g. close on a question, quotation, story, summary, call for action

Handouts Practice

Delivery Phase

Develop rapport Make sure you/audience ready Introduce yourself with contact details Copy of presentation Tell them what you are going to talk

about and for how long Questions

Delivery Phase

Be yourself – posture, voice, eye contact

Dress comfortably and appropriately Don’t recite, don’t read, don’t joke Use involvement techniques

(participation) Notes unobtrusive and not distracting

INTRODUCTION

Introduce yourself/ your organisation Introduce the topic ‘I will be talking

about…’ Put your subject in context, highlight

its importance Give an outline ‘We will be looking at

the following issues’ State your main objective ‘I hope to

persuade you that..’

BODY

Give information in order ‘First, I will deal with…. next…finally’

Mark transitions using linking phrases ‘Let’s now look at…another way of thinking about this is….’

Support with examples and illustrations

CONCLUSION

Repeat and stress key message Invite questions Thank the audience for their attention

Handling Questions Concentrate, listen carefully Look interested, maintain eye contact with

questioner Check that you understand the question -

repeat or paraphrase question if necessary If don’t know ask for clarification Separate issues In a group presentation select a

chairperson

Conclusion We covered – the situation, the audience,

the speaker, the presentation. Most speakers are made not born…you can

be one of them !!! Remember: tell them what you are going to

tell them, tell them and then tell them again!

Have a strong conclusion ... so your audience is looking for more!

Your Questions

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