Oral Presentations

Oral Presentations Blay Whitby 2005 blayw@sussex.ac.uk

Oral Presentations • Overlaps with Written Reports • Importance of Structure. • Importance of working for the Target Audience. • Importance of time spent preparing and re-doing. Technical Communications

Oral Presentations • Nervousness • Anxiety. • Stage Fright. • Everybody suffers (or should suffer!) from this. • Adrenalin: • speeds up reasoning • heightens perception • has many less desirable effects Technical Communications

Nervousness • How can we minimize undesirable effects? • Don't be frightened of fear - positive feedback. • Try to see the nervousness as positive. • Preparation. • Think about the T.A., not about yourself. Technical Communications

Preparation • If you don't prepare it will be obvious to the audience. • It will also be an extra (unnecessary?) worry for you. • Structure helps. • Timing is essential. (difference from written work) • Use practice sessions. Technical Communications

Suggested Structure • Suggested Structure for a 5 minute Talk • Title slide • Introduction - 2 or 3 sentences. State the topic clearly, give reasons why the T.A. should be interested. • Perhaps give some indication of the structure of your talk. • 1st Slide - Interesting, Informative, New. Technical Communications

Suggested Structure • Begin main body of talk. Follow slides (but don't just read them) • Following Slides - 2 or 3 minutes each depending on density, pace. • Finishing Slide - Maybe repeat important points. • Often (but not always) good to finish on a light or humorous note. Technical Communications

Posture and gestures • Natural. - Easier said than done. • Don't overdo it. • Hands are a problem - even for the professionals. • Don't play to, or even look at the camera. Technical Communications

Audio Visual Aids • Be familiar with the equipment. • Use it only to help your presentation: • Avoid blank screens. • Leave the slides on display long enough. • Put the right slide on at the right time. • Make the slides interesting for the T.A. • Assume the T.A. can read. Technical Communications

Audio Visual Aids • Don't compete with the equipment: • Don't stand in front of the screen. • Don't be surprised by what is on the slide. • Don't disagree with what is on the slide. • Don't keep looking at the screen, laptop, or projector. Technical Communications

Eye Contact • Unavoidable, but: • Don't stare at individuals. • Don't seek out friends. • Don't look for encouragement. • Don't be put off if some of the audience seem uninterested. • Don't glance at the camera. • Do try to look at the whole audience. Technical Communications

Use of the Voice • Loud enough for everyone to hear. • Silence is better than meaningless fills - 'um, 'er', 'well', 'ok'.. • Aim the voice at the audience. • Be as natural as possible, while remaining clear. Technical Communications

First Impressions. • We tend to be more interested in speakers who are: • Confident without appearing arrogant. • Well presented. • Easy to hear and understand. • Enthusiastic about their subject matter. • Treat their audience with respect. Technical Communications

Timing • All presentations have to fit a pre-set time. This requires practice with a clock. • You should use a watch or clock during the presentation for 'mid course corrections'. • Too short: • Introduce reserve material. Don't recap or repeat. • Too long: • Omit material - be clear in advance what is non-essential. It is very difficult to paraphrase 'on the fly'. Technical Communications

Oral Presentations