1. Researching, Writing and Presenting Information - A How To Guide: Preparing Oral Presentations

It is essential when preparing an oral presentation that you address the criteria and consider your audience. What does the audience understand about your topic? What do they need to learn from your presentation?

The purpose helps to determine the content, style and degree of audience participation. Do you want to persuade, inform or entertain? What is the main idea that you wish to convey to the audience? How can you make it interesting?

Develop an outline or structure for the presentation that reflects the subject, purpose, audience and time allotted for the presentation. Select the best media to communicate your message. Anticipate potential problems with equipment.

Consider the following questions:

• How will you organise your message?
• What is an appropriate or set length?
• What visual/auditory support can clarify the message while maintaining the listeners’ interest?
• What support documents will the audience need? When should these be distributed?

Introduction

Engage the audience’s attention and their interest. Explain your topic and establish the direction of your presentation to assist the audience’s understanding and appreciation of your subject matter.

Body

Adhere to the direction you established in your introduction. Give the audience signposts as you move from one part of the presentation to the next. Aim to hold your audience’s attention by delivering your presentation enthusiastically and making connections between your subject and ideas to which the audience can relate. Design and incorporate visual and or other aids that enhance the message rather than detract from it.

Conclusion

Restate the main points and focus on the main message for the audience. End on a positive, effective note.

The following points need careful consideration:

• Be familiar with the subject matter.
• Remember that written texts can be reread, but oral presentations must be grasped the first time.
• Be aware that gestures, variation in your tone of voice, facial expressions, the use of visual aids, palm cards and your stance all contribute to the effectiveness of your oral presentation. 
• Aim to present your material rather than merely reading it. This will enable you to engage with the audience.
• Aim for an original approach that will both interest the audience and demonstrate your understanding and creativity.
• Be prepared to answer questions.
• Acknowledge your sources using the St Clare's College Referencing Guide. This is as important in oral presentations as in your written work.

When designing presentation slides, it is important to find a balance between keeping the interest of your audience and maintaining their attention, while not distracting them from your key message.

The aim of visual slides is to enhance your presentation, by supplementing what you're saying. They should not be the main focus of your talk.

Use the tips below to help design effective presentation slides:

• Create a consistent and simple design template.
• Avoid slides with a lot of text, especially if it's just a repetition of what you're saying.
• Avoid the use of flashy transitions such as text fly-ins. These features may seem impressive at first, but are distracting and get old quickly.
• Use good quality images that reinforce and complement your message.
• Limit the number of slides. Presenters who constantly “flip” to the next slide can tend to lose their audience.
• Do not read from your slides. The content of your slides is for the audience, not for the presenter.
• Have a plan B in case there are technical difficulties.