Effective Presentation Skills

April 25, 2005

Agenda
Go over Exam 2 Answer questions about project networks Creating effective presentations

Fonts
Choose a plain font and stick to it
Verdana Arial Tahoma Edwardian Script

Goudy Stout

Keep slides to four to six lines of text

Fonts
Use fonts large enough to view from anywhere in the room
12 point font

18 point font

24 point font

28 point font

32 point font

36 point font

Backgrounds
Choose a consistent background and use it throughout
Can use a different background to emphasize ONE slide

Use complementary colors Keep colors consistent

Organization
Use bullets to separate ideas Use numbers for hierarchical or chronological information Clip art should add to content Use sound only if it adds to your content

Presentation
Practice with slides before you present
Make sure graphics, transitions, animations, etc. work Know equipment, lighting, sound, etc.

Practice what you will say

Dont read from your slides Be careful with note cards or memorizing the presentation

Presentation
Dress professionally
Clothes should be clean and pressed No hats and appearance should be neat and clean Men- wear a suit or at least a tie and sport coat Women- wear a suit or dress pants/skirt

Use a professional attitude

Delivery
Speak naturally, but make sure audience can hear you Speak clearly, avoid clichs or colloquialisms Use good posture Watch gestures
Some hand gestures show emphasis Most are distracting

Timing
Practice, practice, practice! Each team will have 15 minutes
Each team member will then have an equal amount of time to present 5 member teams = 3 minutes each 4 member teams = 3 min. 45 sec. each 3 member teams = 5 min. each

Avoid going too long, or too short

Transitions
Between speakers and topics should be smooth Should not disrupt the presentation, but be built into it

Content
Material should be succinct It should be relevant and clearly presented Use visual aids (graphs, charts, pictures) Use clipart only if it will enhance or emphasize the content

Examples
A sample presentation:
Example Presentation

Assignments
Presentations Monday, May 2 at 9:15 Final project due Wed. May 4 at 12noon