by The Open University
Available in 42 free installments
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The activities in this section are designed to help you recall any previous experiences that may be relevant.
Can you recall a memorable presentation you've seen? What was it that made the speaker unforgettable? Did a good presenter make dull material come alive? How clear was the message?
Some things we thought of were the person's appearance, charismatic personality, and a brilliant script or fascinating subject matter.
Try to decide what the most important aspect of the presenter was ? what was it about that presentation or presenter that made it come to mind? When we analysed our favourite presenters (and the best presentations) we found that the best performances were the ones which:
had a clear and simply presented message
usually had some form of visual aid, which helped us in recalling the topic and the context
had a presenter with a strong interest in the topic they were presenting.
We will revisit many of these good presentation traits again throughout the unit.
Before we start practising the various skills that should help you become a better presenter, we need to understand what is meant by ?making a presentation?. Generally, we mean any situation which involves you speaking (usually alone) either to one individual or to a group of other people in order to make a point or share information. Many presentations also have some form of supporting visual aid such as a whiteboard, projections, or flip charts, and, in some cases, your hand gestures might be a form of visual aid.
If you undertake an academic course you may be assessed on a presentation, and this may count towards your overall course grade. You may also find yourself needing to present information in less academic environments: to your work colleagues, or for a local campaign, for example, and we hope that this unit will enable you to develop your presenting skills in all these areas.
There are different expectations regarding presentations, and many very different audiences. Here are some examples of the key components of a presentation:
appropriate visual aids
evidence of your having practised the talk/delivery
appropriate timing/length
a clear story or argument in the text
appropriate breadth and depth
understanding of the topic and the audience
a clear structure: a distinct beginning, middle and end.
All of these are important for a successful presentation, but depending on the situation, some may be more important than others.
When was the last time you had to give a presentation (if ever)? What were the circumstances (e.g. audience size, formality, length) and how did it go overall? What could you have done differently during the presentation to make it clearer or more enjoyable for the audience?
