Questions and answers

Don’t ask ‘Are there any questions?’ – You’re likely to get dead silence. A better way would be to ask ‘Are there any questions about the twelve techniques?’ If you don’t know the answer or aren’t sure – don’t bluff.

F

Read the comments from the audience who are listening to a presentation. What caused a problem in each case?

a) ‘What on earth is he talking about?’ ‘I’ve no idea!’

b) ‘Hey, Sarah! Wake up! He’s finished!’

c) ‘Read that! I can’t read that I’d need a pair of binoculars!’

d) ‘Speak up! I can’t hear a thing!’

e) ‘Summarize four main points? I only noticed one! Have I been asleep?’

Go on with the list of comments and ask your partner to define the problem in each case.

Are you a good presenter?

Take this little quiz and find out…

1. When I know I have to make a presentation, even a small one before a very limited number of people, I start feeling nervous…

a. Before I know about it, even.

b. About a week before, then I get ready. When I’m preparing or well-prepared,

I’m okay.

c. The day before. Then I go nuts and drive everybody around me completely

crazy.

d. Nervous? Me? Ha!

2. When a big meeting is coming up, one that will involve a number of presentations from a range of people…

a. I hide inside my BlackBerry, furiously typing with my thumbs, head down until all the others have volunteered for every available slot.

b. I listen for a topic I could do well at and put up my hand for it. If no appropriate topic appears, I try to get a pass.

c. I wait until the end of the meeting, then sign up to make a presentation on something about which I have no knowledge or interest.

d. I make sure I’m doing ALL the presentations. They’re mine! Mine!

3. I would say my ability as a presenter is…

a. Abysmal. How can you talk if you’re about to barf?

b. Good. Depends on the material.

c. Why? Who wants to know? What did you hear? It’s not true!

d. I’m the best presenter who ever lived.

4. While I am up on stage, I…

a. Feel tremble and bizarre.

b. Feel a little nervous at first and then get into it. By the end, I’m having fun.

c. Spill water on my notes and then wing it.

d. Am God.

5. Comments about my presentations are generally…

a. Comments? I have no idea. Nobody looks me in the eye after I speak. Is that

bad?

b. Generally quite positive. I don’t listen to them very much. I kind of know how

I did from the way I feel after it’s over. Other people are so full of it a lot of

the time, you know?

c. Great! I mean, terrific! I mean… have you heard anything different?

d. Never good enough. No matter how good they are.

6. If I have to go “off the cuff”…

a. I will faint.

b. I like that much better than working off a paper text, actually.

c. I’ll do it. But I won’t like it.

d. I will talk until my audience is weeping with exhaustion. Then I’ll go on. And

on!

7. If I could describe public speaking as a food, it would be…

a. A poisoned apple.

b. An English muffin

c. A big messy bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.

d. A huge juicy roast beef I can eat all by myself.

Score yourself: a – 1 point; b – 2 points; c – 5 points; d – 10 points

7-20:

If called to speak, stick your head in a microwave. You’re doomed.

21-35: You’re a good, professional presenter; possibly not the most interesting in the world, but then if your mother had wanted you to be an actor, she would have given you a different nose.

36-55: You’re all over the place. You’re a paranoid maniac. And you’re probably pretty entertaining.

56-70: You’re probably fundraising for the elections right now.

How to give a GOOD Presentation: Tips and Suggestions Before you read try to guess what is said about: a) objectives of presentations b) main steps in preparation c) the information about the audience d) visual aids e) speaker’s behavior during the presentation (his appearance, voice, body language) f) the ways to cope with nerves g) things to avoid

Read the text and check your answers.

To give good presentations, you have to find a topic and be able to talk about it for a few minutes. Most teachers or instructors have guidelines that tell you how to present and what to present about, so be very careful and follow what your teacher says. The following tips and suggestions are general suggestions that can help you get a good mark for your presentation.

In your presentation you have to fulfill at least one of the following four (4) objectives:

· To Inform:When you inform you are sharing knowledge, talk only about the data that is relevant to the audiences’ needs. Too much information is boring.

· To Entertain:Always relate your humor directly to your presentation topic. Focus on energizing the audience in the first couple of minutes then get to the body.

· To Touch Emotions:Do not depress your listeners. Never criticize without offering constructive solutions. Offer ideas to improve the situation.

· Move to Action:What is the one thing you want the audience to do in reaction to your speech? Be specific and direct! You have to request a commitment.

PREPARATION

Planning:Plan your presentation carefully. Thorough preparation will make you more confident and help you to overcome your nervousness.

Objectives:Think about what you want to achieve. Are you aiming to inform, persuade, train or entertain your audience?

Audience:Whom exactly will you be addressing? How many people will be attending? What do they need to know? What do they already know? What will they expect in terms of content and approach?

Content:Brainstorm your ideas first. Then decide which are most relevant and appropriate to your audience and to your objectives and carry out any research that is necessary. Be selective! Don't try to cram too much into your presentation.

Approach:A good rule of thumb is to 'tell your audience what you're going to say, say it, then tell the audience what you've said'. Try to develop your key points in an interesting and varied way, drawing on relevant examples, figures etc. for support as appropriate.

Organization:Think about how you will organize your content. Your presentation should have a clear, coherent structure and cover the points you wish to make in a logical order. Most presentations start with a brief introduction and end with a brief conclusion. Use the introduction to welcome your audience, introduce your topic/subject, outline the structure of your talk, and provide guidelines on questions. Use the conclusion to summarize the main points of your presentation, thank the audience for their attention, and invite questions.

Visual aids:If you have a lot of complex information to explain, think about using some charts, diagrams, graphs etc. on an overhead projector or flipchart. Visual aids can make a presentation more interesting and easier to understand, but make sure they are appropriate and clear – don’t try to put too much information on each one.

Rehearsal:Allow time to practice your presentation - this will give you a chance to identify any weak points or gaps. You will also be able to check the timing, and make sure you can pronounce any figures and proper names correctly and confidently.

DELIVERY

Nerves:You will probably be nervous at the beginning of your presentation. Don't worry - ­most people arenervous in this situation. Try not to speak too fast during the first couple of minutes - this is the time you establish your rapport with the audience and first impressions are very important. You may find it helpful to memorize your introduction.

Audience rapport:Try to be enthusiastic­ - your interest in the subject matter will carry your audience along. Look around your audience as you speak - eye contact is essential for maintaining a good rapport. You will also be able to pick up signals of boredom or disinterest, in which case you can cut your presentation short.

Body Language:Stand rather than sit when you are delivering your presentation and try to be aware of any repetitive hand gestures or awkward mannerisms that might irritate your audience.

Voice quality:You must be clearly audible at all times - don't let your voice drop at the end of sentences. If you vary your intonation, your voice will be more interesting to listen to and you will be able to make your points more effectively.

Visual aids:Use your visual aids confidently, making sure you allow your audience time to absorb information from flipcharts and transparencies.

Audience reaction:Be ready to deal with any hostile questions. Polite, diplomatic answers are a good disarming tactic, but if you should find yourself 'under fire', suggest that the audience keeps any further questions until the end of the presentation and continue with your next point.

LANGUAGE

Simplicity: Use short words and sentences that you are comfortable with. There is no benefit in using difficult language.

Clarity: Active verbs and concrete words are much clearer and easier to understand than passive verbs and abstract concepts. Avoid jargon unless you are sure all your audience will understand it.

Signaling: Indicate when you’ve completed one point or section in your presentation and are moving on to the next. Give your audience clear signals as to the direction your presentation is taking.

Some more practical Tips:

Introduction:

· When introducing your topic, smile and look at the audience, do not look down in fear.

· Start slowly, with your shoulders back and chin up and then gradually speed up.

· Use a genuine opening like: “I am glad to be here today”; “I am happy to be talking to you about …”; “I am delighted to share with you…”

· Recognize that you are the expert on the topic you are talking about.

· Always smile and tell yourself how good you feel.

· Dress nicely in professional looking clothes.

Voice

· Be Heard: Make sure your audience can hear you, so practice projecting your voice as there is no excuse for not being loud enough.

· Air Intake: Effective air intake (breathe) and appropriate pauses during your talk will help you control the volume of your voice.

· Vary your voice: Periodically change your speed, pitch and volume and do not mumble in a monotone.

· Fluency: Avoid saying words such words as: “Um”, “Er”, “Like”, and “Totally”.

Body Language

· Eye Contact: This builds trust with the audience, so look at them.

· Gestures: This means speaking with your hands. Try to make sure gestures are smooth and natural.

· Keep your hands out of your pockets: Keep them visible and feel comfortable using them.

· Shoulders: Can help convey confidence if straight, but if bent they can also make you appear tense and nervous. So, keep your shoulders straight!

Visual Aids

Not necessary in all presentations, but if they are, follow these rules:

· Keep them simple: Put the main points on them only.

· Minimize words: The audience wants to hear your presentation, not read the paper.

· Use large fonts: Large fonts will let the back row see the presentation.

· List key points: Makes them easier to remember.

· Use colour: The audience pays attention when they have to watch colorful images

· Prepare Handouts: This helps the audience remember your topic.

Things to avoid:

· Do not make excuses or comments about the fact that you have never presented before.

· Never speak if you do not know what to say. Remember that you are the expert!

· Learn how to control the use of “You know”

· Saying nothing is better than saying “Uh…uhhh….ummm”

Date: 2016-01-14; view: 965