9 Tips For Nailing the Class and Group Project Presentation:

1.  Ensure that the group members share an integrated view of the project:

One of the biggest and painfully visible issues with group projects is that it becomes clear
that the work was doled out to team members and while everyone knows their part, no one
knows the whole picture.  Take the time to discuss your respective work products, key
findings/conclusions and ensure that there is a unified and complete view of the project.

2.  Before preparing presentation materials, the group must think through the
following:

 You need to interest your audience in the first 60 seconds or you’ve lost them.  The group
should develop an engaging opener..a reason for the audience to be interested.
 You need to plan your message…before you begin writing your presentation.  Key points;
necessary supporting points; examples; summary of key findings…and take-aways.
 The goal is not to show how much you know..it is to concisely and briefly deliver key points,
insights and conclusions.
3.  Building the presentation:

Remember, business plans seeking millions of dollars in funding can be pitched in a dozen
or fewer slides.  Keep your deck brief…make every slide count.

 Ideally, have one person build the presentation…it allows you to standardize on graphics, fonts
and importantly, on a single voice.  Nothing is worse than disjointed presentation materials that
don’t flow and look like they were created in a blender.
 The best approach is always one-main point per slide.  (Or, no slides at all.)
 Pictures are best…with brief captions or sidebars
 Plan on your narrative and speaking points filling in all of the words that are not on the slides.
4. Helping the group and individuals prepare to present:

Since your slides are crisp and clean, every speaker must plan out their presentation
narrative.  I like to print my slides, handwrite my major points (no more than 3 to 5) and then
practice delivering these points until I don’t need notes. Other important planning issues:

 Create transitions between speakers

 Plan on the team leader conducting group introductions.
 CREATE AN ENDING.  Too many groups end with “that’s all.”  That works for a cartoon…not
for a project presentation.
 Coordinate the slide advancement in advance…not during the presentation.
5. Getting yourself ready-prepare your attitude:

It’s time to tackle the irrational demons that bedevil so many classroom (and professional)
speakers. Think through the following:

 Remind yourself that there is little to fear.  The audience is on your side.  They want you to
succeed.  Unless you disrespect the audience, they are there for you.
 Remember that your goal is to always inform, share and even entertain.  Entertaining does not
mean that you have to tell jokes…but having the mind of an entertainer…ensures that you focus
on pleasing your audience.
 Sit down the night before the presentation and imagine that you were an audience member for
your own presentation.  Jot down a list of what you would like to learn.  Review that list before
the presentation.
6. Immediately before the presentation, remind yourself of the following:

 Smile while speaking.  Your smile is infectious.

 Eye contact please.  Or at least pick different spots in the room slightly above head level and
move your eyes to each spot in a random fashion.
 Project your voice.  Many students forget to project, and the audience has to struggle to hear. 
Be loud and proud…always with a smile.
 If you have an accent…or if you are a mumbler, you will need to focus on both projecting and
enunciating!
 Modulate your voice.  Raise volume for emphasis…lower volume for intensity.  Avoid talking in
a monotone.
7. During the presentation:

 Smile, project your voice, and make eye contact.  Present with confidence, and be part of the
group in the room, not a talking head.
 Enthusiasm and passion are a speaker’s best friends!  Show and share yours.
 Modulate your voice.
 Notes: if you must have them in your hand, don’t read from them.  An occasional glance is fine. 
Reading is never fine.
 DON’T READ YOUR NOTES!
 Posture…don’t stand defensively (no arms crossed)…don’t get in the fig-leaf pose (use your
imagination) and don’t get in the T-Rex pose (again, use your imagination). No hands in
pockets, either. Pick a base position…hands at the side with occasional, simple gestures.  Vary it
 slightly so that you don’t become a mannequin. (Thanks, Tim Koegel for these posture
suggestions!)
 Be conscious of your timing.  If you’ve practiced and if you know your key points…make them
and keep moving.
 Briefly recap your key points and then transition to your next speaker…introducing him/her by
name…and perhaps topic.
8. After the presentation: Q/A:

Many a great group presentation crashes on the rocks of a mismanaged Question and
Answer session.  Consider the following:

 Pre-plan for someone to be the question moderator.  The moderator should restate the question
and then direct it to the appropriate person.
 If you don’t understand the question, ask the questioner for clarification.
 If you don’t know the answer, do not make it up.  Develop the habit of saying, “I’m not certain,
but that is an important question that I would love to look into for you.”
 Keep your answers brief.  Resist the urge to share everything you know.
 The moderator should sense when the question is answered/over and move on.
 No need to get defensive with an audience member that disagrees.  It’s OK to agree to disagree.
9. Wrapping Up:

The group moderator should close out the group’s presentation, thank the audience and
transition for the next group.  Do something to close out beyond the ever-present and really
depressing, “that’s all we have.”

1. Hook the audience at the beginning. Every good speech entices the listener at the beginning of the
speech. A group speech is no different. The introduction matters.
2. Introduce the team. Somewhere in the introduction, the cast of characters presenting should be
introduced.
3. Write transitions. Everytime members of the team switch into a speaking role, the speech should include a
coordinated transition. Something simple might work: “Next, Emily will discuss the financial piece of this
event.” Followed by a  quick, “Thanks, Will.”
4. Move. The speaker should take center stage or a position in the foreground of the delivery area. Other
members should flank the speaker by being visually “behind” the speaker.
5. Utilize visual aids well. Look at the audience while presenting, not the visual aid.
6. Share the work with visual aids. During a group presentation, the speaker should not be behind a
computer or podium. Switch this job to a current non-speaker.
 7. Build in strategic pauses. Rushing through your thoughts is a bad move in individual speeches, but in
group speeches, rushing inspires more rushing. Slow it down. Pause. Don’t try to fill every moment with
sound.
8. Pay attention to each other. There’s nothing that inspires audience boredom like presenter boredom. If
you’re not the speaker, but you’re on the team, at least feign interest. Watch the speaker, respond
nonverbally to the speaker. This sets the tone for how your audience will view the speaker and his/her
information.
9. Conclude the speech. The speech should be tied together at the end with key repetition of ideas and
closing remarks. This is your chance to make the speech a cohesive one.
10. Practice. Rehearse the speech together at least three times. You should be able to predict the moves of your
co-presenters to forgo the awkward stares at each other when someone misses a cue.
What other tips do you have for group presentations? Leave your best tip below.