Presentation skills

Presentation Skills

Table of content
Chapter 1 A presentation in four steps Chapter 2 Visual aids Chapter 3 Using PowerPoint for presentations Chapter 4 Learning and communication Chapter 5 Body language Chapter 6 Nervousness Chapter 7 Feedback Chapter 8 Questions Chapter 9 Work in a duo Chapter 10 Tips Appendix A Checklist 3 9 12 19 23 25 27 29 30 31 32

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Chapter 1 A presentation in four steps
Once you know that you have to give a presentation on a certain date, you have to start preparing. This is not as easy as it may seem. Is there a systematic approach? If you use the following four steps, you will cover all important aspects of your presentation. 1. 2. 3. 4. What and why Who How (contents and structure) When and where

What and why
When you are asked to give a presentation somewhere, two questions should immediately come into your mind: “what am I supposed to talk about, and why am I asked to talk about this?”

What are you going to talk about? First of all, you need a topic for the presentation. In some cases this topic is given to you, but in other cases you have to think of one yourself. In choosing a topic, keep in mind that it is easier to talk about subjects that are familiar to you. The more you know about a topic, the more enthusiastically you can talk about it and the easier it is for the audience to listen to. Start brainstorming and write down possible subjects for your presentation. Brainstorm about people, places, things, events, processes, concepts, problems, policies or anything else. Wait another day before choosing your final subject from the list you made. After you have chosen your topic, define your: • General objective: to inform, persuade or entertain the audience, and • Message or purpose: what do you want the audience to know, feel, believe or do after your presentation? Even if you have a short presentation the audience will not be able to remember everything you say. As soon as you start preparing your presentation