Creating and Delivering Effective Presentations

1. Creating and Delivering Effective Presentations

2. Planning & Organization • All well-planned presentations have • An obvious introduction • A main body • A concise summary (and sometimes conclusions)

3. Planning & Organization • Obvious introduction • Get the audience attention • Explain the purpose of the presentation • Main body • Relevant and concise information • Organization should be logical

4. Planning & Organization • Summary • Concisely summarizes the body of the presentation • Inform the audience you have reached this section • For example say “in summary” • Focuses the audience’s attention and re-teaches the information • Conclusions (not always appropriate) • Reports the conclusions that might be drawn from the information in the presentation

5. Planning & Organization • Transitions • Transitions between sections should be obvious. For example • “Jamie will speak on the cost of the project” • “in conclusion”

6. Appropriate Coverage of the Topic • Main ideas should be evident • Main topics should be abbreviated in the multimedia presentation but explained fully by the speaker • Supporting citations adds credibility to the information presented. For example Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). (n.d.). Education Professional Standards Board web site. Retrieved January 9, 2006 from http://www.kyepsb.net/.

7. Delivery • Strong eye contact • Look around the room and into the eyes of different audience members • Do not focus on one particular audience member • Do not rely on notes or focus your stare at the podium • Do not “freeze up”

8. Delivery • Appropriate use of gestures • Use the right hand modestly to animate your speech at calculated times • Do not use the left-hand to animate your speech • Do not fall into a repetitive motion such as stepping forward and back • Be aware of your nonverbal messages

9. Delivery • Use strong voice that can be heard at the back of the room • Use appropriate vocalics to prevent becoming monotone • Demonstrate good posture • Stand up straight • Hands on the podium or comfortably at your sides • Do not put your hands in your pockets • Do not use fillers such as “uhh” and “you know”

10. Appearance • Business dress • Males • Suit or suit jacket and slacks • Power colors (dark blue, black, dark gray, dark brown) • Dress shoes • Tie • Jewelry • Watch • 1 ring (or less) • Nothing else (no visible piercings such as ear rings)

11. Appearance • Females • Suit with a jacket and skirt or slacks • Power colors (dark blue, black, dark gray, dark brown) • Dress shoes • Jewelry • Watch • 1 ring on each hand (or less) • One bracelet (or less) • One necklace (or less) • One pair of ear rings (and no other visible piercings)

12. Visual Aids • Readable from the back of the room • Should always be relevant to the subject • Do not use images for the purpose of having one in the presentation • Images should reinforce the message • Graphics should be demonstrated at the point the relating topic is discussed

13. Visual Aids • Design crimes • Text or objects should be visible at the back of the room • This text could be too small to see at the back of the room • Inconsistent formatting. For example • First order bullets should always be the same • Second order bullets should always be the same • Titles should always be formatted the same

14. Visual Aids • Do not use more than two font styles • Arial • Times Roman • Harrington • Banjoman Open Bold • Apply styles only for emphasis • Italic • Bold • Underline • Shadow

15. Visual Aids Lacks Contrast • Keep the same color schemes throughout the presentation • Use contrasting colors for text and backgrounds Changing Colors is Mentally Confusing

16. Visual Aids Distracting and not relevant • In most cases • Less is more • Simple is best • Only use animations and images that compliment the message • Do no select elaborate and confusing backgrounds • Keep the number of bulleted items from 4-7 per slide

17. To Keep in Time & Present Well • PRACTICE • PRACTICE • PRACTICE • Take advantage of PowerPoint's timer feature • Practice will aid you in keeping in time limitations • Practice will make you more comfortable • A relaxed presenter will do a better job!

18. Summary • Have a clear Introduction, Body, and Summary/Conclusion • Use strong eye contact with the audience • Do not focus on notes or other things • Use good voice pitch and volume • Avoid being monotone • Avoid fillers (e.g. “uhhh”)

19. Summary • Wear business dress • Make all visual elements readable from the back of the room • Use consistent formatting • Use 1-2 typestyles and be careful with applying styles

20. Summary • Use good contrasting colors • Only use graphics and animations that compliment the message • Do not pick elaborate backgrounds • Less is more • Practice, Practice, Practice The End