Week7: Presentation Notes

They say hindsight is 20/20, so here are some pointers on how to do your first A1W, or any other module, presentation just that bit better.

1. Rehearse. This should come as a no brainer but with each iteration over your presentation it becomes more fluent and natural, so when you finally stand up and perform it you should not constantly glance at your notes.
2. Do not write your presentation on screen. There's the temptation to write out all of the information you've found on screen and then just stand back and read it. What the hell is the point of you been there then? Each slide should contain a few key words or images with you providing the meat of the information. If necessary put your script in the notes section so that if someone wants to view the presentation later they can get your input alongside.
3. Be confident. For those few minutes you're the boss, you're in control. Speak clearly, making eye contact with each member of your audience. If you want to go off on a tangent (at least somewhat related to the topic at hand), do so. Just don't get sidetracked.
4. Tag team. If you're not going it alone make sure you've decided who's going to stand where, how you'll transition between speakers and how you can get out of the next persons way when they come to speak. It fits in with the rehearsal aspect, having a dry run in the chosen location (or similar setting) can save many a problem later on. And while you're awaiting your turn, or have already finished, don't shake your head, start chatting or otherwise draw attention to yourself. Stand back, watch the screen and await the end quietly.
5. Pause, compose, resume. It happens to every speaker, you get lost in your own words, floundering like a fish out of water. Take a step back, look at your notes, think what you're going to say next and say it. It may seem like an eternal pause in your mind but realise the audience is most likely still digesting what you've just said anyway. Flapping your arms about, shuffling through papers and making noises like a toddler is not going to impress your listeners, so just take a breath, ignore the pressure momentarily, and get back on track.
6. Question time. You can expect a grilling on your chosen topic, so there's no excuse not to read up. Find out recent happenings, important dates and other points which you may have omitted from your presentation but that could come in handy. A sheet full of dates, locations, people and names may seem overkill but can save your skin later on. Read up and test each other with example questions.

Hopefully the next people to stand before an audience can be forewarned and forearmed. Best of luck.