Presentation Skills

Presentation Skills Presentation Skills

Speed Effective speakers change their rate of speed to fit their purpose, content, listeners & personal style Presentation Skills

Pace • is the speed at which speaker presents different topics or thoughts within a topic • speaker adjusts pace according to listeners’ and speakers’ interest Presentation Skills

Tone • emphasis placed on a word to create meaning • variation prevents monotonous presentations Presentation Skills

Volume / Variety / Vocabulary • project your voice - aim for the back • go faster to excite • to gain maximum attention, say some words louder • repeat important words Presentation Skills

Volume / Variety / Vocabulary • go s l o w e r to emphasize major points • pause often & look round audience • give emphasis with voice & body Presentation Skills

Language avoid… • acronyms • being too formal • long sentences try to… • use everyday language • use concrete words Presentation Skills

Body Language 1. Dress: be comfortable, respectful, careful 2. Facial Expression: a smile makes listeners feel comfortable 3. Eye Contact: is positive; be aware of cultural norms 4. Body Movement: be yourself, move slowly, control nervous behaviour Presentation Skills

Body Language 5. Hand & Gestures: gesture above waist, keep fingers straight, gesture to emphasise key points 6. Conditions Affecting Behaviour: (which can you control?) size of room furniture temperature lighting, acoustics your reputation use of visuals other speakers seating arrangements location Presentation Skills

Body Language – don’ts • don’t point at anyone • don’t move while presenting key points • don’t stand rooted to the spot • don’t leave your hands by your sides • don’t avoid eye contact Presentation Skills

Body Language - dos • move hands & arms • move around the room • move towards audience • move your eyes around the audience Presentation Skills

Body Language • What about your audience? • What does their body language tell you? Presentation Skills

Using Visuals “ A picture is worth a thousand words.” Chinese Proverb Presentation Skills

Flip Chart / Projector / Posters / Cards… • big and bold • use drawings • use colours • face audience, talk, write, talk • remove when finished Presentation Skills

Using Visuals: Don’ts • don’t hide behind your visuals • don’t let technology or visuals be more interesting than you • don’t use visuals as detailed notes Presentation Skills

do let your visuals aid you do use visuals to clarify and emphasise do make one point per visual do introduce each visual before showing do practice beforehand Using Visuals: Dos Presentation Skills

Be Careful with PowerPoint • 4 Colours Max • Use graphics • Check how it looks on projector • Use text sparingly Presentation Skills

Helpful Attitudes & Values • My mind-set won’t help them • Everybody is human, unique with potential • It’s OK to teach • No one best way • People never argue with their own data • Facilitators can’t win arguments • Silence is OK • Don’t push the river Presentation Skills

Making it Interesting • stories/anecdotes • explain by analogy • involve them - ask questions - pause until reply Presentation Skills

Presentation Skills

Presentation Skills