Effective Presentation

EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION
Main Issues for Discussion

◼ Preparation

◼ Delivery

◼ Key to success

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -
Canevska
 Anxiety and public speaking
◼ The specific fear of public speaking is called
Glossophobia
◼ It can affect many people: some estimates put it at 75%
of the population
◼ But some anxiety before any presentation is normal and
positive, as it can help you to stay focused, alert, and
not take your audience for granted
◼ However, the severity of the condition can vary and is
determined by the context; some public speaking
situations are more threatening than others.
◼ There are often one or more of six aggravating factors:

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
Six aggravating factors

Penalty

Previous
Preparation
experience

Anxiety
About
Public
speaking

Comfort
Technical
with
ability
audience

Comfort
with
venue

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Aggravating factors

1. Penalty: social embarrassment; loss of marks;

career penalties
2. Preparation: dissatisfaction with your level of
preparation can aggravate the risk
3. Comfort with audience: how you feel about
your audience – or you perceive they feel
about you

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Aggravating factors

4. Comfort with venue: how you feel about the place

you have to deliver your presentation; how it makes
you feel, e.g. intimidated; secure; comfortable etc.
5. Technical ability: level of technical competence about
using the equipment, e.g. PowerPoint etc.
6. Previous experience: early attempts at public speaking
were unsuccessful; people laughed at you, or you were
‘judged’ critically by others

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Physical manifestations
Inner
◼ Throat dry
◼ Heart beating faster than usual
◼ Stomach churning!

Outer
◼ Voice: tremulous, jerky; it rises a pitch, or your rapid
breathing is visible and audible to the audience
◼ Blushing
◼ Hands shaking
◼ Sweating
◼ Avoidance of eye contact
◼ Turning away from audience

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 What the eye can’t see…
◼ It is the outer manifestation of extreme anxiety that
you need to try and manage.
◼ The audience doesn’t know how you feel, but can see if
your hands are shaking or hear if your voice is
tremulous
◼ They want you to be comfortable, as it makes them
relax
◼ If you are a student presenter, 99.9% of the audience is
on your side – they sympathize with you!

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 How to beat it
◼ If you can, get to the lecture room before the audience,
rather than rushing in when they have arrived.
◼ Get control of your breathing
◼ Look good – feel good – sound good
◼ Blue represents peace, tranquility, calm, stability,
harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism,
security and order
◼ Blue is considered a ‘good business color’ because it
reflects reliability (note the School colors!).

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Positive Affirmations

◼ Affirmations help create a more positive self-

image.
◼ This technique links with creative visualisation

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Do - A, B, C, D
◼ A) Breathing control

◼ B) Prepare well

◼ C) Tips

◼ D) Check admin details

Ass.Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

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 Preparation
◼ Decide on your objectives
◼ Identify the target audience
◼ Carry out your research
◼ Develop a logical framework
◼ Prepare concise notes
◼ Prepare visual aids
◼ Plan delivery as well as content

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
PAT
Purpose

Audience

Timing
Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -
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 Preparation
Purpose - is it to
◼ Inform?

◼ Motivate?

◼ Sell an idea?

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Preparation

Audience
◼ How many people?

◼ Who are they?

◼ Do they know each other?

◼ What do they know about the topic?

◼ What do they want to achieve?

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Preparation

Timing
◼ At what time of day?
◼ How long is it allowed for?
◼ What goes on before and
after?

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Preparation
Devise a logical structure
◼ Keep it Short & Simple (K.I.S.S.)
◼ Talk through the points logically
◼ Do not try to cover too much
◼ Be Clear
◼ Know what you want to say
◼ Say what you mean
◼ Use examples/illustrations
◼ Use summaries to recap

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Preparation
Use visual aids to
◼ Communicate ideas visually

◼ Reinforce the spoken word

◼ Maintain interest

◼ Remind the presenter

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

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 Preparation
Types of visual aid
◼ The presenter
◼ Chalkboard/Whiteboard
◼ Flipchart
◼ Overhead projection
◼ 35mm slide projection
◼ Digital Projector
◼ Video
◼ Model

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 Preparation

◼ Use a simple type font throughout

◼ Use font size larger than 24
◼ Use handout for large amount of text
◼ Use deep colours but no more than 3
◼ Use pictures appropriate to context
◼ Proof read before copying onto
acetates
Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -
Canevska
 Preparation
Tips on Powerpoint presentation
◼ Use multimedia to create interest

◼ Avoid automatic transmission

◼ Keep audio signal to the minimum

◼ Show one-bullet point at a time

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Preparation
Notes
◼ Avoid them if you can
◼ Keep to one page
◼ Use colours
MAIN Sub Headings In here you can
HEADINGS (Keywords) write out more
detailed notes if
necessary and
indicate when
visual aids are
required.
Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -
Canevska
 Delivery
◼ Have a definite opening
◼ Vary the tone of your voice
◼ Make sure people can hear you
◼ Keep it interesting
◼ Keep to the right pace
◼ Develop your theme
◼ Recap at several intervals
◼ Have a definite ending

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Delivery
Introduction
◼ The objective (s) of the presentation
◼ The areas to be covered and the
sequence
◼ How long the presentation will last
◼ Whether handouts will be given
◼ How questions will be dealt with

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Delivery
Main body
◼ Meet the stated objective

◼ Contain appropriate details for the time

◼ Present in an ‘easy to follow’ sequence

◼ Maintain the interest

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Delivery
Useful hints
◼ Contrast

◼ Vitality

◼ Variety

◼ Humour

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Delivery
DOs
◼ Be prepared
◼ Be enthusiastic
◼ Be yourself
◼ Speak naturally
◼ Be careful with humour
◼ Use gestures to emphasise points
◼ Monitor the audience’s reaction

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Delivery
DON’ts
◼ Talking whilst asking the audience to read
◼ Looking at the ceiling/out of the window
◼ Continually looking at your watch
◼ Attending to personal appearance
◼ Playing with pencil, pointer etc.
◼ Reading notes word for word
◼ Using excessive ‘ums’ & ‘ahs’
◼ Jingling/rattling coins
◼ Talking to the screen
◼ Repeating phrases
◼ Polishing spectacles
◼ Fiddling with notes

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

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 Delivery
Summary

◼ Summarise the main points

◼ Reinforce what you have said

◼ Clarify any points

◼ Thank the audience

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

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 Delivery

◼ Progressive disclosure to maintain focus

◼ Use a pen on the projector to guide attention
◼ Do not wave your hand on the screen
◼ Switch off the projector to change slides
◼ Make sure everyone can see the screen
◼ Switch off the projector when not in use

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Key to Success

Keep it
◼ Clear
◼ Simple
◼ Relevant
◼ Interesting

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
 Summary
◼ Be well prepared

◼ Be yourself

◼ Follow simple rules

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
KNOW WHEN TO STOP

Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -

Canevska
Let’s Have a 20 minutes

Thank you!
Ass. Prof.Dr Emilija Stoimenova -
Canevska