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When
making an oral presentation in class, you must know your subject well and
convince your audience that they have something to gain from listening to you.
Here are some things you can do to make an effective oral presentation.
Be prepared. Research your subject
to ensure that you are
knowledgeable. Practice your presentation until you feel
comfortable. Make sure you can present your information
within whatever time limits you will have. Anticipate
questions you may be asked and prepare answers to these.
Know your audience.
Tailor your presentation to your
audience’s level of knowledge about the subject of your
presentation, what they need to know, and their interests.
Be positive.
Make it clear that you are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about your
subject.
Don’t read your presentation.
Talk to your audience. Use your notes as prompts
as needed.
Provide examples. Try to make your presentation as concrete and
“down to earth” as possible. Add appropriate anecdotes and humor to drive
home a point.
Use visual aids.
Supplement what you say with visual aids such as handouts, charts,
transparencies, and slides. Make sure that everyone can easily see the
visual aids.
Don’t use visual aids that are so complex that the audience will spend its
time
trying to read them instead of listening to you. Visual aids are
supplements to what
you say, not replacements for what you say.
Maintain eye contact. Shift your eye
contact around the room so that everyone feels
that you are talking to them.
Actively involve your audience. People can
only listen so long without their attention
wandering. Making your presentation interesting will help you to capture and
keep
your audience’s attention for a while, but you must do more. Build in some
simple
and quick activities for your audience so that they are actively involved in
your
presentation. Ask questions that you are confident your audience will be
able to
answer.
Use your voice effectively. Vary the tone
of your voice and be careful not to talk too
quickly.
End on a high note.
Leave your audience feeling upbeat about what they have just
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