How to structure a 'How to ...' presentation

2. University of Osaka
Presentation Course
Lesson 5

3. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
What is a ‘How to …’- Presentation?
• Informative speech
• Completion of a task or a process

4. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
How is it accomplished?
• Demonstration of the task or process
• Series of steps

5. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
What are possible topics?
How to …:
• tie your shoes correctly
• set up a blog
• speak with conviction
• eradicate malaria
• predict the weather.
• etc.

6. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
What is the outline?
• Why
• Overview of the entire process
• The steps, one-by-one
• For each, describe it, then show it (if possible)
• (Optional) Discuss options, extras, or
variations
• Summarize

7. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
Why
• Motivate the audience?
• What’s the benefit?
– Earn money?
– Build a range of skills?
– Make life easier?
– Solve an important problem?

8. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
Why
• TIP
– Open with a story (paint a picture)
– How will life improve with this knowledge?

9. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
Overview of the entire process
• Provide a mental framework for details
• Not overly complex
• Provide context for the steps

10. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
Overview of the entire process
• TIP
– Include a diagram illustrating the steps
– List the prerequisites needed

11. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
The steps, one by one
• Stick to core outline
• Keep the series simple
• Defer optional steps for later
• Provide clear ‘signaling language’ between steps

12. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
For each, describe it, then show it (if possible)
• For each step:
– Explain the purpose (why is it necessary)
– Use clear language (what needs to be done)
– Show how (how should it be done)

13. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
Discuss options, extras, or variations (optional)
• After the completed task or process
• Add options or variations

14. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
Summarize
• Summarize briefly
• Recap the benefits

15. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
About visuals
• Your body is the best
• Physical props make it real
• Use photograph and diagrams
• Keep them simple
• Can the audience see them?

16. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
Example 1:
• How to tie a tie in 3 steps

17. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
Training
Prepare a short ‘How to …’ presentation of your
own in which you use an object you have in your
possession right now. You get 30 minutes to
prepare. You will do your presentation in front
of the class.

18. The ‘How to …’ Presentation
Example 2:
• How to speak so that people want to listen
– Julian Treasure

19. Homework
As homework for the final lesson of your
presentation course you are going to prepare a
10-12 minute presentation that should include
what you have learned so far. The topic should
be your current research. Apart form the
presentation being longer, the
guidelines are the same as for your first practice
presentation.