Harvard ManageMentor PRESENTATION SKILLS TOOLS

Audience Characteristics Worksheet

Use this worksheet as you prepare your presentation.
Question

Notes

1. Who are your listeners and what is their relationship to your topic?

2. How well informed are they about the subject matter?

3. What do they need to know?

4. What are their expectations of the larger event? Of your

presentation?
5. What do they know about you? What else might they need to
know?
6. What is their opinion of you or the organization you represent?

7. Are they attending by choice or by requirement?

8. Are they likely to be receptive? Enthusiastic? Polite? Hostile?

Apathetic?
9. Are there other obstacles, history, or expectations that you need to
take into account?
10. What presentation techniques might best capture their attention and
get your points across most effectively?
(e.g., demonstrations, personal stories, multimedia)
2004 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved.