by: Don Wulff, Associate Director, Center for Instructional Development and Research

Planning

What are some of the major issues to consider in planning for the presentation?

• Do some audience analysis.
• Decide on a purpose.
• Determine how much time.
• Work in an overall format of three parts. (introduction, body, conclusion)
• Organize in a research format. (questions, transitions?)

  Also think about:

• Attention, Motivation, Overview (Pull audience into the topic.)
• Rationale/Need
• Approach/Method
• Results (statistics, examples-avoid imprecise words, e.g., "stuff, tons of. . .
• Implications
• Closure (Re-emphasize or reinforce, next steps, check understanding.)

Presenting

What are some special caveats to consider for successful delivery of the research presentation?

• Be in control. (Distance, posture, eye contact, gestures, pauses, voice)
• Think in terms of frameworks.
• Adapt if/when necessary. (Avoid references to time)
• Avoid speaking too quickly.
• Engage the audience. (Humor, examples, stories)
• Signal the audience (Remember, they are not reading but listening).
• Avoid verbal clutter. (Ahh, um, ya know, thinking out loud)
• Control fear. (Accept it, practice, analyze, visualize success)
• Leave time for questions.
• Smile

Self-Assessing

What are some ways to assess how you did after the presentation?

• Decide how well you achieved your goal(s).
• Remember, there is no one best way.
• Think in terms of things to change/improvements (not weaknesses).
• Think back to audience reaction.
• Do not be hard on yourself.