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Stellar Presentations

An effective presentation should include:

1. Opening remarks
2. A preview of the main points
3. A clear discussion of the main points
4. Closing comments
5. Time for Q & A
6. Other: voice, gestures, eye-contact, posture, visual aids

Opening

• Get the audience’s attention and interest by using one of the following:
• Use humor if it fits your style
• A relevant, memorable quotation
• A narrative or anecdote (i.e., a short story – real or hypothetical)
• Refer to something unusual about your topic
• Ask the audience rhetorical questions

Preview

A table of contents, or an outline of what you’ll be covering in your presentation in order to help your audience understand where your presentation is headed

• Should be no more than one minute, but it is an important minute (one of the most common problems in a presentation is the lack of a preview)

Main points

Main part of your presentation, content

• 3 – 5 main points is easiest for listeners to remember
• State main points clearly
• Good transitions make it easier for your audience to follow along

Closing

Your audience will remember your last words

• Summarize your main points
• Refer back to your joke, story or rhetorical question from your opening remarks
• Determine if the members of your audience will act or see things differently as a result of your presentation
• Talk about the benefits your audience will get if they follow your advice in your presentation

Questions and answers

Encourage your audience to ask questions

• Prepare for questions
• Step toward the audience, raise a hand, and seek questions
• Involve the whole audience in your answer
• Keep the answers to the point

Other

Voice, gestures, eye contact, posture, visual aids

• Be animated, enthusiastic, and direct
• Keep your posture erect but relaxed
• Use eye contact to make your presentation personable and interactive
• Keep a clear, strong voice and don’t speak too fast; try not to be monotone
• Visual aids are useful when you need to focus the audience’s attention, to present key points, and to illustrate factors that are hard to visualize