A recent workshop with some Advanced Mechanical Engineering students from Singapore (hi guys!) reminded me of the famous 5 C's which I encountered when I used to teach there a few years back.
C= Credit Card C= Condominium C= Cash C= Car C= Career
When I asked the students to come up with some attributes of what they thought were the hallmarks of effective oral presentations, the C's came to the fore again. Here's what they came up with:
Be Concise and Compress what you need to say:
Nobody wants to sit through a boring speech. Eliminate waffle through rehearsal and careful planning.
Think structure in the same way you would for a piece of written work. Rehearsal will enable you to give your presentation to time.
Sometimes it helps to start with a little anecdote or survey the audience with a quick poll to get them involved. The introduction should address each small section of your presentation in the order in which it comes in your presentation. In the summary, it is good to look to the future: what needs to be done next? What does the future hold? What are some of the implications of what you found.
Clarify:
Explain technical terms well - don't make assumptions of your listener. Use everyday anecdotes and examples to show how what you are doing is linked to industry and 'real life' so that it becomes meaningful for your audience. 'Academese' (dense terminology and convoluted language) bores the listener. Simplifying complex terms and applications shows how clever you really are!
Contrast:
Use a mixture of styles. Sometimes it helps to move from PowerPoint slides to overhead transparencies to little stories which move the audience attention from wall to wall to speaker.
Also, make sure you use plenty of modulation in your voice when you speak. Pause for emphasis and avoid the monotone. This can be achieved by not relying on your PowerPoint slides or transparencies too much.
Courtesy:
A smile is worth a great deal in a presentation. Connect with your audience so that they feel you value them. Create a respectful environment by dressing for the occasion. (Do avoid leaning on the wall/tables etc - I have seen this. It is NOT a good look! :) ) Also, look as though you are actually enjoying yourself!
Criticism:
One of the most often rewarded aspects of academic writing is where the student can point out limitations, weaknesses or areas where the experiment or project could have been 'done better'.
What worked? What was good? What was surprising? What were the limitations or constraints? What needs to be done for the future? What did you learn about yourself or the project as a researcher?
These questions are the stuff of higher order thinking and lecturers are pleased when they crop up.
Conviction:
Once again - avoid the monotone. One way you can convince an audience of your passion for a project is to make eye contact with the audience. Perhaps the most enduring piece of advice I have ever read about oral presentations is to make eye contact with individuals (not walls!)
In conclusion, nerves befuddle even the best public speakers. The first time I ever had to speak in front of a large group of students (around 250 at City West) I was perfectly composed from the waist up. However, I was grateful for the lectern as my legs shook uncontrollably - thankfully out of view of the students!
I think my best tip is for you to prepare well and rehearse. That way you can be quite CONFIDENT that you will do very well.
Do you have any oral presentation stories or tips for other students? You can post anonymously; use your name or log on as a Google Blogger.
Andrea Duff
9 years ago
4 comments:
Speak slowly and clearly.
Although at times it can be hard, don't rush your words, pace yourself and it will be a much more enjoyable presentation for your audience.
Also remember not to mumble your words and don't trail off at the end of sentences, keep your voice strong.
If you are using a microphone adjust it properly before starting your presentation, its very annoying when a speaker fiddles with the microphone in the middle of a talk. Also remember to keep close to it, keeping close reduces feedback (that horrible screeching noise) and if you do get feedback get closer not further away.
Make sure you introduce EACH member of your group when you are working in groups (both for courtesy and for the Lecturer who is marking you). Make sure you mention the company and your supervisor.
Tell a story about your project - put your audience in the picture from the start (that is, the big picture) so that they know the context.
When you use Powerpoints, make sure the grammar is correct and that you only use dot points. If you need to read, do it from notes - not from the slides. Use a consistent font which is large enough for people to see.
Show the amount of work - what worked, what didn't. Show what you WENT through - show the journey! This means the work looks 'deep' rather than 'superficial'.
Project confidence!
Hi Andrea,
I was a participant in the recent workshop that you had mentioned. I must say that I enjoyed your class session very much. I have always admired people who are articulate and eloquent in speech.
A little something to contribute to a good presentation skill and some observations that I had came across.
1) Try as much as possible not to have your back faces the audience when explaining the whiteboard or overhead slides.
2) Refrain from using laser pointer if you don't have a steady hand. A shaky laser point light is irritable and can make the audience feel giddy.
Excellent points here 'anonymous'! :)
I'm afraid I have probably been guilty of the old back to the audience syndrome myself but it is important to remember to try and write side on or to turn frequently.
Andrea
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