Part 1 – Prepare, Structure, Practise

1. Plan

2. Prepare

3. Practise and present

1.1. Analyse your audience:

• Who is your audience?

• What do they know about the subject? What terminology will they know?

• What do they want to know?

• How can you engage this audience? What matters to them?

1.2. Determine a clear purpose

The purpose of a presentation may be to provide information, persuade the audience to accept a point of view, or encourage them to take action. Knowing your purpose will help you decide what to include and how to structure your presentation.

1.3. Select effective information

• What kind of information will best support the  presentation?

• What kind of information will be relevant to the audience?

• Are there useful examples or case studies to illustrate  your ideas?

2.1. Structure provides a framework for you presentation. 

Introduction – an overview of the issue and the  main ideas to be considered. Explain the issue, the  background and the key terms

Body – the main ideas, reasoning, evidence and  explanation provided. Avoid overloading your audience with too much information. Categorise your  information into key ideas.

Conclusion – a summary of what you have  considered with repetition of key ideas. Consider how long you can spend on each section, given the  time available.

2.2. Select appropriate visual aids - remember that the visuals  are not the presentation. Their purpose is to enhance what  you are saying by providing a visual link.

The key to a good delivery is to practise your speech and  your body language. Here are some tips to assist you:

• Practise your presentation several times, aloud and  standing up.

• Time the presentation. If it is too long, remove and/or  simplify information, rather than speaking more quickly.

• Stand straight with your feet "planted" in the ground. You  can move, but do so with purpose.

• Establish a "resting place" for your hands at the front of  your body, such as cupped at waist level.

• Eye contact is a powerful means to engage your audience so look at your whole audience when you speak.

• Speak more slowly and clearly than you normally would.  Provide emphasis through voice intonation, volume and  pausing.