Presentation Styles and Tips

Presentations can take many forms, that there is no universal perfect way to present. Pick out a style
what is best for you, your audience, and your message.

Styles of Presenting

 Visual Style
o Often uses slides, props, or images to complement
o Easy to prepare and present
 Free Form Style
o Has 2-3 key messages and focuses on them
o Uses stories and humor
o Little structure to the presentation
 Instructor Style
o Used for complex teachings
o Information is presented in a logical order, building up to the key concept
o Incorporates metaphors and figures to help audience understand
 Coach Style
o Often used by motivational speakers
o Engages thoroughly with audience
o Useful when you are passionate about a topic and what that interest to be past on
 Storytelling Style
o Message is presented by telling a story
o Uses emotions to connect to audience
 Connector Style
o Comfortable on stage and engaging the audience
o Has some structure and organization(Recto, 2016)

Many of these styles can be combined to make your program/presentation your own!

Practice, Practice, Practice

What makes a great presentation? Preparation and practice. No matter what style you choose, be
prepared will show your audience that you are ready to rock your presentation. Know your key
messages and the structure you want to follow, along with any props or materials you may need.

There are many ways to practice! You can practice by yourself, recording yourself, or even ask others to
join. Even if they are not necessarily in residence life, everyone can offer a different perspective and
feedback to better your presentation. Use a timer to ensure you are keeping good pace and are within
the time requirements. Also, focus beyond the content of your presentation to include your speech and
body language. The amount of practicing again depends on you and what are you comfortable with.
Tips and Tricks to Presenting

Now that you are practicing your presentation, here are some other tips to hone in on your program and
overall presentation:

 Remember eye contact

 Start strongly by grabbing your audiences’ attention, such as a story or activity
 Cater to your audience. For example, if you notice your audience becoming disengaged from
you talking at them, try a small activity or participation to get engagement up
 Before the presentation even starts, take some time to focus and build your confidence to
present
 Take a breath and
 Don’t forget to smile!

Resources

Recto, C. (2016). 6 presentation styles of famous presenters. Retrieved from

https://24slides.com/blog/6-presentation-styles-famous-presenters/

Skills You Need (2017). Top tips for effective presentations. Retrieved from
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/present/presentation-tips.html