An Introduction to Giving Presentations

1
An Introduction to Giving Presentations

• Fritz R. Fiedler
• Civil Engineering
• University of Idaho

2
Outline

• Plan
• Preparation
• Speaking
• Visual Aids

3
Plan

• Type of talk
• technical or not
• instructional, informative, entertaining
• formal or not
• Audience - purpose
• Time

4
Preparation

• Outline
• Problem statement purpose of talk
• introduction body conclusion
• limit/repeat key points
• rehearse organization, clarity, timing
• visual aids clear, consistent, readable, simple

5
Speaking

• length do not go over!
• opening professional, humor(?), stories(?)
• transitions (topics, people) smooth, logical
• conclusion audience will remember

6
Speaking (continued)

• rate 100 words/min, repeat key points
• speaking voice loud, clear, enthusiastic
• eye contact focus on audience!
• body language (practice w/audience)
• dealing with questions

7
Visual Aids

• Clear
• Readable
• Simple
• Consistent
• Pictures if appropriate
• Backgrounds etc.

8
How To Give A Bad Talk

• Do not be neat Why waste precious time
  preparing slides? Ignore spelling, grammar and
  legibility. Who cares what other people think?
• Do not be brief Do you want to continue the
  stereotype that engineers can't write? Always
  use complete sentences, never just key words. If
  possible, use whole paragraphs and read every
  word, word for word.
• Use a nice, small font Be humble -- use a small
  font. Important people sit in front. Who cares
  about the riff-raff?
• Use crazy colors Flagrant use of color indicates
  good work.
• Dont use illustrations
• Do not make eye contact You should avert eyes to
  show respect. Blocking the screen, or better yet
  talking to it, can also add mystery.
• Do not skip slides in a long talk You prepared
  the slides people came for your whole talk so
  just talk faster. Skip your summary and
  conclusions if necessary.
• Dont practice Why waste research time
  practicing a talk? It could take several hours
  out of your four years of college. How can you
  appear spontaneous if you practice? If you do
  practice, argue with any suggestions you get and
  make sure your talk is longer than the time you
  have to present it.

9
Conclusion

• Plan audience, purpose of talk, timing
• Prepare and rehearse
• Speak clearly, slowly, with enthusiasm
• Use clear, sensible visual aids