Study skills > Module
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Presenting in a classroom
Preparation
Outline the requirements of the assignment
- compare these with the interests of the audience
Identify the audience characteristics and knowledge base
- your introduction covers mutual ground as a starting point (gets
them on the "same page")
- from this introduction, lay down your "thesis" to let them know
where you are going
- then proceed with argument
Narrow your presentation's topic, considering the above; to only a few
main ideas
Practice by rehearsing the presentation, recording it, or reciting it to
a few friends
Techniques of delivery
- put your audience at ease with a relevant anecdote or joke, or get their
attention with a dramatic gesture or event.
- use personal pronouns in your delivery;
- make eye contact with the audience;
- present your report with a conversational voice though vary it for emphasis;
- use transitions to signal the audience you're moving to a new idea;
- direct questions to your audience to get them more involved;
- conclude by summing up your main ideas, points, or arguments;
- leave time for questions, and invite feedback on the content (un-addressed,
related ideas), the conclusions and your manner of presentation
Using visual aids or Media
- call early and make sure hardware is compatible with your software;
and software versions of your documents are compatible with versions of
their software;
- come early and make sure everything works and that any media (audio,
visual, computer) can be seen, heard, understood by all;
- keep all visual materials simple in large text for visibility;
- have supportive materials for each idea;
- do not distribute handouts, even outlines, before your speech (or the
audience will focus on the reading material instead of listening to you).
