3. Session objectives
• Identify the characteristics of an effective
presentation
• Structure an effective presentation
• Identify techniques for maintaining audience
interest
• Identify techniques for coping with nerves
• Plan and deliver a short presentation
Presentation skills
4. What makes an effective
presentation?
Put your points into themes:
• Content
• Delivery (behaviour of presenter)
• Resources
Presentation skills
5. Planning/preparation
• Clear objectives – what do you want to achieve?
• Target audience: their needs – format?
• Mind map – brainstorm – list content
• Structure
• Intro: who you are, purpose of presentation – benefits
to audience. IMPACT!
• Middle: key messages, content arranged in
themes/sections
• Conclusion/summary: take away message/call to
action
• Presentation plan with timings
Presentation skills
6. Body language
• Act confident, feel confident
• Large personal space
• Eye contact with audience
• Open body language
• Standing upright with shoulders back
• Use your hands for emphasis but avoid ‘flapping’
Presentation skills
7. Do...
• Illustrate your key messages, eg.
• a startling statistic or image
• a quotation from someone famous that applies to your
message
• Use personal stories and easy examples to help
illustrate your points
• Involve your audience – interaction
• Ask questions to involve, establish rapport and
support your arguments
• Practice, Practice, Practice
Presentation skills
9. Don’ts – a recap
• Just read your slides
• Script everything
• Put too much information on a slide
• Go overboard with fancy effects, they distract from
you and your key messages
Presentation skills
10. Exercise
Prepare and deliver a 3 minute presentation on one
of the following themes:
• The perfect weekend
• The invention that will change your life
• The Exeter University Student
Presentation skills
11. Coping with nerves
Controlling your environment and handling pressure
• Practice using any equipment
• Plan B if technology fails you – eg. PPT formats
• Recognising adrenalin gives you an edge
• Pace yourself – most people speak too fast if nervous
• The more you practice and run through it, the more
natural it becomes
• Use crib cards with brief notes if you need to
remember lots of information
• Practice under pressure
• Deep breathing
Presentation skills
12. Summary
• Clear objectives
• Structure: Intro - Middle – Summary
• Work to a timed plan
• Learn from your favourite presenters – what they say
and how they say it
• Remember what not to do...
• Calm nerves by deep breathing, slowing down,
controlling your environment, having a back up plan
and plenty of PRACTICE
Presentation skills
