Presentation Skills
Introduction
Giving a presentation can be a rewarding experience. By following simple guidelines, you can prepare yourself well, gain in confidence and communicate your message effectively.
When preparing for a presentation start with a script, create slides and rehearse before giving your talk.
Guide for scriptwriting:
1. Introduce the topic - state your position, start with a hook. Engage with your audience and make them care.
2. Explain your idea - clearly and with conviction
3. Describe your evidence
4. Call to Action - how and why you are implementing your idea
5. Conclusion - reveal the new reality, how the audience lives will be affected if they act on your idea.
(Wilkes, 2018)
- Script Writing Example (Wilkes, 2018)Download this example script on the Physics of Car Safety.
Guide for creating a slide presentation:
1. Should I use slides? If slides clarify information use them but keep it simple.
2. What goes on the slide:
- Images and photos to help the audience remember the person place or thing
- Infographics
- One point per slide
- As little text as possible
- No bullets points
3. Formatting the slide
- Use consistent graphics and fonts
- Use a common font like Helvetica or Verdana
- Font readable 42 points or larger
4. Reference material
- Images and text must be referenced
Modified from TedTalks Speakers Guide (2017).
Creating my speech
Speaking Guide
IB.ATL.COM.1.04 Use a variety of speaking techniques to communicate with a variety of audiences.
- Speaking Techniques for Delivering a Presentation (Skillsyouneed.com, 2017)Download guide for speaking techniques.
Ted Talk - Speakers' Guide
- Ted Talk Speakers Guide. (2018). Retrieved from http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/ IllustratedTEDxSpeakerGuide.pdf
Guiding principles known to work for a great presentation.
UWA - Managing Presentation Nerves
- University of Western Australia. (2019). Managing Presentation Nerves. Retrieved from https://www.student.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/3389256/P4-Managing-presentation-nerves.pdfhttps://www.student.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/3389256/University of Western Australian has created this guide to help students manage presentation nerves.
UWA - Presenting to an Audience
- University of Western Australia. (2019). Presenting to an Audience. Retrieved from https://www.student.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/2748211/P1-Presenting-to-an-audience.pdfThis survival guide from UWA offers advice for presenting to an audience.