The object of a presentation is to transmit information and opinions to an audience in your own words within a limited amount of time.
A presentation is a form of communication with an audience. When you prepare for a presentation, you must consider elements such as the situation for which the presentation is designed, the method you will use, and the response your audience will make. For example, situations might include sharing the results of your research in a class or seminar group, presenting an academic paper, or giving a report on recent activities to your club members.
First, think about the general purpose of your presentation. Then, clarify why you are giving the presentation: to introduce yourself to a new group, to explain your views on a controversial topic, to communicate the results of a survey, or for some other purpose.
Who will you be targeting?
Is the audience made up of students, experts, or the general public? Analyze your audience. Consider what methods and delivery styles will be most effective for communicating with that audience.
Step 2
Deciding on a theme
Choose a theme that falls in line with the aim of the presentation and is appropriate for the time available.
Step 3
Collecting information
Collect material for your presentation. Use the various information types that we have studied so far.
Step 4
Formulating a structure
Once you have understood the aim of your presentation, decided on a theme, and collected information, you can start formulating a structure. The structure of a typical presentation is Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. When writing your script, you should keep the following in mind:
Write a story that will have the maximum effect
Convey your message in a way that is easily understood by your target audience
Introduction
The introduction raises issues such as why you have taken up your topic or why that topic is important. For example, reach out to your audience by asking questions. Or arouse interest by quoting adequate words or facts.
Body
Formulate an outline that will enable you to convey the key points in the time available. Are your topics clear and concise?
Conclusion
In conclusion, you should summarize the body by repeating the key points. Make sure that the audience will remember your message.
You should also rehearse as much as possible before each performance. Consider the diction, voice level, tone, natural body language, and eye contact.
Check if any sections should be corrected, such as jumps in the logic, omission of key points, and sections that are difficult to understand. Also, check if your presentation is too short or too long for the allotted time.
If it is possible, perform before your friends or family. Your presentation can be improved if third parties listen to your presentation and make objective comments.
On the day of your presentation
Remember the efforts you made to prepare for the presentation and use this to produce enough confidence to perform impressively. If it is online, check the device settings in advance. Presentation is the chance which you can communicate what you want to tell them. So take a deep breath and relax. Try to communicate with audiences. Enjoy (or at least pretend to enjoy) giving your presentation!
Question and answer session
Don't be afraid of the question-and-answer session. Just relax. Take a memo as you listen to each question. Repeat the gist of the question by starting your response with "Your question is..."; not everyone can hear the question. Answer each question in a concise and precise manner. Make sure the exchange does not become a full-scale debate. Always keep in mind that there are other people in the audience.
Self evaluation
How did the audience react? Were you able to fully communicate what you wanted to say? Make sure you do a self-evaluation. If there are any points that you think require improvement, perform a thorough analysis of what happened, and consider what must be done to solve the problems.
Careful self-evaluation will raise the level of your next presentation.
In this section, we will study methods for effectively creating materials for presentations.
Why design presentation materials?
Giving thought to the appearance of your presentation materials makes what you want to communicate easier to understand and more pleasant to listen to. Preparing such materials while keeping the following points in mind will enable your audience to understand your presentation more easily.
Layout - Organizing and arranging information
Typography - Selection of characters and size/style
Coloring - Selection and combination of color
Organization and layout
Organizing and grouping related information enhances the visibility of the material and is very important in making the information easy to understand. To allow your audience to understand information without difficulty, try to be sensitive by clearly organizing the information, and arranging it appropriately.
Fonts and colors
Fonts and colors affect the atmosphere and impression of presentation materials. Therefore, you must select fonts and colors that match the image you want your presentation to carry, the target audience, or the venue's atmosphere.
It is necessary to select fonts that are highly visible and easy to read. As with font selection, what colors you use can dictate how easily information is understood and read and can change your presentation's impression on the audience.
Contrasts
Highlighting certain information and enhancing the difference from other information will provide the focus for your presentation and will assist the audience in understanding the information provided.
The easiest way to create contrast is to vary the character size. Besides, it is necessary to select fonts that are highly visible and easy to read. It is essential to consider the impression that the font chosen would give. Using different colors is another way to create contrast.
Summary
A presentation is a communication with an audience. Understand the importance of materials as a communication tool, and try to create materials that can "get your message across."
Organize the information that you want to communicate. Group the pieces of information, and arrange them according to their interrelations.
Clarify key points to be communicated and highlight them.
Select fonts and colors considering how easily they can be understood or read, and also the impression that they will convey
TIPS
If you want to know more...
Winston, Patrick Henry. Make it clear: speak and write to persuade and inform. Cambridge,Massachusetts, The MIT Press, 2020.
Harinck, Fieke, Leeuwen, Elisabeth Adriana Catharina van. The art of presenting: delivering successful presentations in the social sciences and humanities. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2020.
