Presentation Techniques

[Gopa B. Caesar]

From 2 December, 2011 to 8 December 2012, some students of Uttara Campus, DIU will be conducting presentation session as a part of their course requirement. I hope the following content would/could/might help them to turn their COLD FEET into HOT ones  .

PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES
What is presentation?
a.   When you give a presentation, you give a FORMAL talk before an audience. In business situation, the purpose is usually to sell something or get support for a proposal. In academic situation, the purpose is to present information or persuade the audience to accept what the presenter says. In its recent usage and practice, presentation means more than simply giving a formal speech as it involves a number of audio-visual elements; for example, a slide and video presentation.
b.   When you give a presentation, HOW you present your talk is just as important as WHAT you say. Knowing your subject well and knowing your audience are both very important for your presentation, but there are other consideration—presentation techniques. And above all, what makes a presentation effective and interesting is preparation.

To introduce, below are some of the things that make a good presentation. Number 1,2,3 etc. the features in your order of priority, then compare and discuss your list with the rest of the group.

body language __     confidence__        visual aids __      notes __    voice__    speed__                    language __             humour__             length__            content __
Basic structure of presentation

a.   A presentation will be much clearer to an audience if it is structured and if the structure is clearly signaled.
The following box contains the golden rule of any presentation.

Say what you are going to say. Say it. Say that you have said it

b.   The following box contains the expressions we use while making presentation to make audience follow
our talk. In the next Modules of PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES, you will learn more of it
Presentation Signals

Introduction Topic Outline    I’d like to talk to you about ... I’d like to say a few words about ... I’ll be dealing with ... I’ve divided my talk into ...     our management training scheme three areas/ parts Middle Showing steps    First of all First, Then Next     let’s look at in-service training I’ll go on to external training. Conclusion Closing     Finally, ... To sum up, ...     we hope to provide even more specialist courses next year. Inviting questions   Are there any questions? If there is any question, I’ll be happy to try to answer them.

[Gopa B. Caesar]

  ...

[Gopa B. Caesar]

Think before you leap...first you need to evaluate yourself

a.   Tick the category that best describes you as a speaker.
CATEGORIES                                    CHARACTERISTICS

__________Avoider                    An avoider does everything possible to escape from
                                              having to stand in front of an audience. In some cases
                                              avoiders may flunk an academic presentation at the
                                              cost of losing grade or may seek careers that do not
                                              involve making presentations.

__________Resister                    A resister is scared of speaking in public. Resisters
                                              may not be able to avoid speaking as part of their job,
                                              but they never encourage it. When they do speak
                                              they do so painfully and with great reluctance.

_________ Accepter                   The accepter will give presentations as part of the job
                                              but does not seek opportunities to do so. Accepters
                                              occasionally give a presentation and feels as though
                                              they did a good job. They even find that once in a while
                                              they are quite persuasive, and enjoy speaking in front
                                              of a group.

__________ Seeker                    A seeker looks for opportunities to speak. The seeker
                                              understands that anxiety can be a stimulant which fuels
                                              enthusiasm during a presentation. Seekers work at
                                              building their academic or professional communication
                                              skills and self-confidence by speaking often.

[Gopa B. Caesar]

b. Evaluate your current presentation skills
    To be a more effective presenter it is usual to examine your present skills. The following evaluation can help identify the areas which to focus to increase your competence. Please read each item and circle the concentrate on those items you marked 1, 2, 3.

                                                                                  ALWAYS   NEVER
1.   I identify some basic objectives before planning               5  4   3   2 1
        a presentation.
2.   I analyze the values, needs and limitations of                  5  4   3   2 1
        my audience.
3.   I write down some main ideas first, in order to                 5  4   3   2 1
        build a presentation around them.
4.   I incorporate both a preview and review of the                5  4   3   2 1
        main ideas.
5.   I develope an introduction that will catch the                  5  4   3   2 1
        attention of my audience and will also provide
        necessary background information.
6.   My conclusion refers back to the introduction                  5  4   3   2 1
        and, if appropriates, contains a call-to-action
        statement.
7.   The visual aids are carefully prepared, simple,                  5  4   3   2 1
        easy to read, and make an impact.
8.   The number of visual aids will enhance, not                     5  4   3   2 1
        detract from, my presentation.
9.   If my presentation is persuasive, I support it                   5  4   3   2 1
        with logical arguments.
10.   I use anxiety to fuel the enthusiasm of my                      5  4   3   2 1
        presentation, not hold me back.
11.   I ensure the benefits suggested to my                           5  4   3   2 1
        audience are clear and compelling.
12.   I communicate ideas enthusiastically.                             5  4   3   2 1
13.   I rehearse so there is a minimum use of notes                  5  4   3   2 1
        and maximum attention paid to my audience.
14.   My notes contain only ‘key-words’ so I avoid                   5  4   3   2 1
        reading from manuscript.
15.   My presentations are rehearsed standing-up                    5  4   3   2 1
        and using visual aids.
16.   I prepare answers to anticipated questions,                     5  4   3   2 1
        and practice replying to them.
17.   I arrange seating (if appropriate) and check                     5  4   3   2 1
        audio-visual equipment in advance of the
        presentation.
18.   I maintain good eye contact with the                              5  4   3   2 1
        audience all the times.
19.   My gestures are natural and not restricted                       5  4   3   2 1
        by anxiety.
20.   My voice is strong and clear, and not                              5  4   3   2 1
        monotonous.

Score explanation
If you scored between 80 and 100, you are  an accomplished speaker who simply needs maintain basic
skills through practice.
If your total score was between 60 and 80, you have the potential to become a highly effective
presenter.
If your score was between 40 and 60, you need to go through a workshop like the present one you are
feeding on.

CHECK IT OUT ... 

[Tamanna Islam]

89

[Gopa B. Caesar]

phew...that's really high api

[sethy]

 Thank you for this post.
This is very helpful post for us. I think most of the student face problem in presentation. This topic help us a lot to make better presentation.

[hasibur rahaman]

Nice, Informative & Helpful post.. Thank you for sharing...!

[710000757]

Thanks for the post

[Gopa B. Caesar]

You are most welcome, the pleasure is all mine

[Tamanna Islam]

i think it will be really helpful to the presenters

[Gopa B. Caesar]

thanks apu

[Ferdousi Begum]

thanks a lot for this particular post, Kitty. It will help the presenters a lot!

[Gopa B. Caesar]

you are mooooooost welcome

[Sultan Mahmud Sujon]

Many Many thanks,beautiful