Making Oral Presentations

1
CEE 102 Engineering in the Modern World CEE 262
Structures in the Urban Environment
Making Oral Presentations
2
Why make oral presentations?
Effective communications with others in a formal
setting is essential in both academia and the
business world.
3
Ground Rules

• Your presentation is a synopsis of your term
  paper.
• It should last 5 to 10 minutes.
• It should be presented in Power Point.
• You will be graded on both content and
  presentation style.

4
What should be included?

• Start with your papers thesis.
• Talk about important highlights.
• State your conclusions.
• Explain any further work that could be done on
  your topic.
• Be prepared to answer questions.

5

• Include photos, maps and figures.

6
Bullet Point Lists

• Use the bullet points in your presentation as an
  outline
• But dont just read from your slides
• Because that gets really boring
• And puts people to sleep
• Very quickly

7

• Avoid wild color schemes

8
Dont

• Use all the bells and whistles

Microsoft

• Includes with Power Point

9

• Make your slides simple.
• Select a clear, clean font.
• Use an unobtrusive background.

That doesnt mean you cant be creative
just be judicious.
10
Presentation Style

• Think about the following
• Make eye contact with the audience.
• Stand up straight.
• Speak up!
• Dont speak too quickly.
• Dont sway or rock.but dont be stiff.

11
Q How do you get to Carnegie Hall?A
Practice, practice, practice.
The Secret Ingredient for a Good Presentation

• Q How do you give a good presentation?
• A Practice, practice, practice.

12
If you are well prepared, you will be able to
present your material smoothly, without pauses.
You wont have to think about what you are
saying.
13
If you are not well prepared, your brain will not
work in concert with your mouth.
As a result, your presentation will be filled
with uncomfortable pauses punctuated with ahhhs
and ummms.
14
Look Professional
Dont wear a hat. Dont wear clothing with
writing on it. Be neat.
Remember you are learning skills that will help
you in future real world situations. Make the
most of it!