Build your topic from a few main ideas State where you are going and what you will prove
Know your audience: where are they coming from?
Cover mutual ground as a starting point
Use familiar vocabulary to begin; introduce and define new
concepts gradually Adapt the presentation's goals with the
interests of your audience
Treat each audience as a unique group
Convince them with facts and logic Demonstrate that you know what you are talking about, but on
their level!
Review and summarize in your conclusion Summarize
what you've told them Check for comprehension
Leave time for questions and discussion
Follow up with options so audience can contact you
Practice by rehearsing the presentation, recording it, or reciting it to a few friends
Techniques of delivery:
Put your audience at ease with a relevant anecdote or joke,
or get their attention with a dramatic gesture or event
Use personal pronouns in your delivery
Make eye contact with the audience
Present your report with a conversational voice though vary it
for emphasis
Use transitions to signal the audience you're moving to a new
idea
Direct questions to your audience to get them more involved
Conclude by summing up your main ideas, points, or arguments
Leave time for questions, and invite feedback on
the content (un-addressed, related ideas)
the conclusions
your manner of presentation
Leave your contact information (business card) for further questions
Using visual aids or media:
Call early and make sure hardware is compatible with your software; and software versions of your documents are compatible with versions of their
software
Have several versions of computerized files (on your hard drive, disk, web
site, and overhead and/or paper(!) just in case
Come early and make sure everything works and that any media (audio,
visual, computer) can be seen, heard, understood by all
Keep all visual materials simple in large text for visibility
Have supportive materials for each idea
Do not distribute handouts, even outlines, before your speech (or the
audience will focus on the reading material instead of listening to you)
Flash exercise
contributed byTyssa Erickson and
Dr. Brad Hokanson, Graphic Design I
(DHA 3351) School of Design,
University of Minnesota. Edited by Joe Landsberger.
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