Power Point - Oral Presentations

By Stacie Bouchard, Morgane Milliet, Ramez Hanna, Michael Kasparian and Robert McQuillen

Know your purpose Decide what you want to accomplish. Decide what you want your listeners to remember at the end of your presentation. Ask yourself the following questions: What do I want to tell them? What do I want them to DO as a result of this talk? What do I want them to BELIEVE as a result of this talk? What can I realistically achieve in this presentation? What will need written or other support?

Know your audience Analyze your audience, anticipate its reactions and make appropriate adaptations. Ask the following questions: How will this topic appeal to the audience? How can I relate the topic to their needs? How can I earn their respect so that they accept my message? What would be most effective in making my point? Facts? Statistics? Personal experiences? Expert opinions? Humour? Analogies?

What measures must I take to ensure that this audience remembers my main points?

1. 2. 3.

Tell them what you’re going to say Say it Tell them what you told them

Introduction Should achieve 3 goals: 7. Capture listeners’ attention and get them involved 8. Identify yourself and establish credibility 9. Preview your main points

Body Should focus on a few key ideas. The body could be organized chronologically, by topic, by importance, etc. Conclusion Should achieve 2 goals: 7. Summarize the main themes of the presentation 8. Include a statement that allows you to leave the podium with poise

Useful to spotlight organization and key ideas. Use « bridge » statements between major points, for example: « I shall now discuss... » or «On the other hand » 

Appearances can help sway the audience: Dress for the audience and pay attention to details. Use gestures to animate your presentation, keep the audience’s attention and communicate feelings. Minimize gestures like playing with coins, etc. Vary the tone, volume, pitch and pace without forgetting to pause after important points Avoid being planted to the podium but use movements allowing yourself to look natural and comfortable

These can be overhead transparencies, handouts, PowerPoint slides, etc. Choose the appropriate type of visual for the presentation. Make sure it is simple and dynamic to attract the audience’s attention. Always begin by talking and then use the visuals. Speak slowly and use your visuals to make the ideas clearer.

Pros  Audience can better understand your ideas.  They announce each point of the presentation.  They make your presentation memorable.  They give an accurate representation of the purpose.

Cons  They require extra work and organization.  Some visuals can seem like old fashioned methods.  The speaker can lose the audience’s concentration.

Computer programs such as PowerPoint. They are easy to make and deliver professional presentations. Avoid putting too much information (Summarize). Elaborate on points.( Do not simply read off the slides). Make sure your audience listens and retains information easily.

Stage fright is a phenomenon experienced as a fear or anxiety of public speaking. Symptoms: voice cracks, tremors in the legs, trembling hands, facial nerve tics, dry mouth, etc Problem solving: Controling emotions and nervousness with relaxation, stretching and breathing techniques.

In order to perform better:        

Be yourself Get a good night’s sleep Work preparation thoroughly Avoid distractions during performance See your presentation as a celebration, not as atrial Ignore stumbles; give no apologies Make your listeners your partners. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Identify clearly the audience and adapt to satisfy their needs. Keep in mind that others may not share the same cultural background Pick your medium of visual aids accordingly. Be careful of your body language. When you finish, distribute translated handouts or summaries.

Be Ready Know your subject through extensive research Rehearse thoroughly Plan use of visual and memory aids Familiarize yourself with presentation room DO NOT “Wing It”

Start slow or with a pause Memorize first line to sound confident Do not speed through, take your time Maintain constant eye contact Do not go off topic (use notes when needed) Summarize to assure full absorption

Distribute handouts with data that the audience will need. Ask and encourage for questions. Repeat questions before answering them to maximize audience hearing. Always keep the entire audience involved. Signal the end of the presentation before taking the last question.