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Oral presentations allow you to increase your understanding of a topic, as well as to develop specific oral communication skills, which are invaluable in the workplace.
Most students will give oral presentations as part of their course at university. Sometimes presentations are part of a seminar or tutorial, and fairly informal. Sometimes they will be more formal and will be assessed. You may be asked to present individually or as part of a group. Whatever the circumstances, oral presentations require you to:
Presentations can make some students feel extremely nervous, but it's important to know that most people feel anxious at 'performing' in front of an audience. With practice and reflection, your skills can get better and better.
As with all types of assessment, it's important to know how you're being judged, so that you can give yourself the best chance of getting a good mark. Typical assessment criteria might be:
| Content | Relevant, interesting, supported by evidence |
| Structure | Clear sections, logical sequence, clearly introduced and concluded |
| Delivery | Clarity, eye contact, pace, timing |
| Graphics | Clarity, relevance, appearance |
Remember: Different lecturers use different criteria and weightings, so make sure you check what is required.
Think about oral presentations you've seen, and lectures you've attended. What makes a good oral presentation?
Like an essay or a report, a good presentation requires effective preparation.
Analyse the task so that you know exactly what you are being asked to do. Collect ideas you already have about the topic. Then decide what and how you will research. Ask yourself:
Once you are clear about your purpose, you should have a good idea what you need to do to collect the information you need. You will need to plan:
Remember: Always check your guidelines!
First, work out the key points you need to convey to your audience. Many people find it helpful to note slide content in outline form, perhaps using a mind map like this:
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…or a more linear diagram like this:
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Once you have noted your main content, work out how to convey your key points most effectively in the time available.
Length of time is important because it helps define quantity of content, level of detail, and the number of slides in your presentation. Students are often asked to present for five, ten or fifteen minutes.
In a presentation, beginnings and endings help 'frame' your content for your listeners, so think about how you can make both as effective as possible.
Tip: As a rough guide, allow two to three minutes per slide.
Remember: As in all academic coursework, you need to include references.
Think about the structure you might use for your presentation.
Tip: Organise your notes in the structure you plan to use.
Sometimes students are asked to give oral presentations in groups. In this case, your group needs to meet early on and make plans.
Usually, students decide that each person will take one part of the presentation each. You will need to decide in what order people will speak, and how they will pass smoothly from one to another. Someone will need to introduce and someone will need to conclude, and to do this everyone needs an overview of the entire presentation.
Group presentations can be awkward to manage because of the difficulty of getting people together but they can be very effective when done well.
When you have decided key content and structure, plan how best to design your presentation. What might work best as text, what as graphics? What other visual support, media or effects might help convey your points clearly?
The following general guidelines apply particularly if you are using PowerPoint, but are also relevant to other types of presentation.
One advantage of using PowerPoint is that most computers have the software installed as standard, which means you can share your work and update easily from any location. Using PowerPoint, you can import a variety of media, produce diagrams and flowcharts, and create custom charts and graphs from your data.
Remember: The guidelines from your lecturer should indicate the kind of visual support expected.
How might you organise the information on each slide? What fonts and colours should you use?
Tip: Use the templates in PowerPoint to help format your presentation consistently.
What might help make your presentation persuasive, visually?
PowerPoint allows you to use a variety of time-based media and effects in your presentation. Used selectively, these can be very effective in supporting your points.
The way someone presents information can really help engage the audience (or not).
Make eye contact
One of the most effective ways of engaging your audience is through eye contact. Try to scan all of the audience. In a small group, you can make eye contact with almost everyone. (It's important not to be robotic about this!)
Use your voice
Your voice is a powerful communication tool. You need to make sure everyone can hear you, and that you speak at the right speed - usually a little slower than everyday conversation. Use your voice to emphasise important points, and to show that you're questioning an issue.
Use timing
Pace your presentation to build up to your main points. Don't be afraid of using short pauses where appropriate, to let important information sink in. Sometimes people speed up when they are nervous; try to be aware of this and avoid speaking too quickly.
Use 'signposts'
If information comes out in a continuous flow the listener may find it difficult to distinguish between different sections, and between important and less important information. Use 'signposts' to indicate key points.
In oral presentations you need to make it clear to your listeners when you are moving to a new section, and when you are telling them something significant. This is known as 'signposting'.
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Here are some useful signposting phrases:
You can draw attention to a point by using phrases like:
A useful technique for beginning a new section or for highlighting an important point is to use a question, for example:
Tip: Observe other presenters to identify their signposting strategies, and develop a repertoire of your own.
An excellent presentation is well prepared, practised and delivered. You will not be able to deliver an effective presentation if you are dependent on a script from which you cannot look up!
You need to practise several times so that you can:
Tip: Many students find it helpful to make notes in PowerPoint, while others use cue cards to note their key points. Find a method that suits you.
Tip: Try to check your presentation on the computer you will be using, and in the room you will be presenting in.
If you become anxious, encourage yourself and try to relax. It helps to remind yourself that people are interested in what you have to say. If you are well prepared, remind yourself of this. If you go blank, try to remain calm, and go on. It is quite likely no-one will notice.
Remember your purpose - you have an interesting topic to present to your listeners. Show your interest in it!
Tip: Be yourself and concentrate on getting your message across.
You will often need to take questions after a presentation, and you may be assessed on this. It helps to try to anticipate likely questions so that you can be prepared.
If you don't understand a question, don't be afraid to ask for clarification. Repeat the question to ensure the audience have all heard it. (This also gives you time to construct your answer).
Take your time on answers you know a lot about – it leaves less time for other questions! If you can't answer a question, say so. You could open it out to the audience or say you will find the answer to the question later, depending on the circumstances.
Anne Chirnside, Mary Hutchison
First published July 2007. Last updated 22 January 2009.
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