Guidelines
for Oral Presentations
Information
about grading criteria for oral presentations
The Structure of a Presentation
Introduction
Begin your presentation by saying what your topic is. Explain
to your audience why your presentation is important, how it fits into
the topic of your class, and how you are going to approach it. Indicate
briefly what the results of your presentation will be.
Main
Section
This is where you engage with specific aspects of your topic.
Logic and cohesion are very important. One point should lead to the next;
think about providing satisfactory transitions from one aspect of your
talk to another.
Your guiding
questions for the argument should be: What do I want to explain? How do
I best illustrate my points, approach the topic? In other words, you should
carefully select the important information as well as putting yourself
into the audience's position in evaluating their knowledge of the topic.
Conclusions
The conclusions summarise the main points of your argument. If
appropriate, your personal opinion can be expressed; it may stimulate
a discussion. Make an obvious conclusion (body language, intonation);
pause for a moment and, perhaps, thank the audience for their attention.
Create
a Handout
An ideal handout clarifies your presentation and gives your audience
something to refer to later.
Click here for more information about handouts.
General
Remarks about Presentations
Create an opportunity for yourself to practise the presentation
with a fellow student, a friend, or a family member before the crucial
moment. Talking through your presentation will give you a sense of how
to manage the time you have. Do not to exceed the time limit. Use short
notes and key words; try not to simply read from your manuscript. This
makes it much easier, and pleasanter, for participants to follow your
presentation. Pay attention to your speech: speak slowly and evenly; avoid
slang and jargon; short pauses are better than "um" and "aah";
speak clearly and check difficult pronunciations before you deliver your
paper. Establish eye contact with your audience and try to reach as many
people as possible; avoid staring at one person.
Audiovisual
Aids
Think about using material to supplement your talk. Audiovisuals
can enliven and clarify your verbal presentation. An overhead projector
is available in each classroom, a CD player can be provided upon request.
If you make a reservation ahead of time, a beamer for a PowerPoint presentation
can also be brought into the classroom.
All information
you provide should be well labeled, titled, and referenced when necessary.
Use large fonts and simple style.
Every overhead
transparency should be meaningful. Do not employ media for media's sake.
Based upon:
Wolfram
R. Keller's Website (Marburg University), TESAG
Center, James Cook University, Australia |