When delivering an oral presentation, the main goal is to inform, influence, and/or entertain the listeners. With practice and technique, anyone can do this well.

A meaningful and successful presentation, no matter the occasion, follows these general guidelines:

  • Identify a primary message and stick with it.
  • Maintain eye contact with your audience to help keep them engaged and interested.
  • Ensure that proper body language is maintained throughout the presentation.
  • Grab your audiences attention in a unique and appropriate way.
  • Ideas should be presented in a simple and direct way, remember your audience.
  • Never apologize.
  • End your presentation strong. No "That's it..." or "Any questions?"
  • Practice, practice, practice. It really helps!

For further reading on presentation delivery visit, http://www.rogerdarlington.me.uk/Speech.html.

Here are some additional tips for putting together either a PowerPoint or poster presentations.

Tips specifically for PowerPoint presentations:

  • Never EVER read directly off your slides (unless reading a quote). Use the slides to enhance, not script, the presentation.
  • Pace your presentation so you go through one or two slides a minute.
  • Title slide:
    • Orient the reader to the presentation topic
    • Introduce yourself
    • Include the date
  • Second slide:
    • Grab the audience's attention!
    • Why should they care?
  • Third slide:
    • Outline the body of the presentation
  • Presentation body:
    • Use simple backgrounds
    • Readable fonts are a must
    • Use bulleted lists but limit bullet points to one or two lines
    • Make sure illustrations are simple and readable

For additional resources on PowerPoint presentation delivery:

A humorous collection of what not to do during a PowerPoint presentation is located here.

Tips specifically for poster presentations:

  • Find a way to draw you audience to your poster
  • Identify key points that outline and describe your message in detail
  • The more illustrations the better
  • Keep graphics simple
  • An attractive color scheme can make all the difference

For additional resources on poster presentations:

 

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