Writing the presentation

Your main purpose of the presentation is to convince, persuade or inform your audience. If you invest time preparing it you'll be able to do this:

• Decide on the main theme and write down everything that supports it;
• Organise it into sections and write a small introduction;
• Write a conclusion which sums up the important points;
• Edit your text and check spelling;
• Make phrases short and easily understandable;
• Decide on a format e.g. a laptop computer, slide presentation or a presentation folder;
• Use quotes and real life examples that the audience can relate to;
• Choose a simple but attractive design;
• Use visuals like photos, graphs, videos and computer animations;
• Prepare a leave behind e.g. a small booklet that summarises the presentation.

Preparing for the presentation

Once you've written and produced your presentation you need to plan the event:

• If you've never presented before ask for some training;
• Watch other people in your college or company present so you know what's expected;
• Learn and practice the presentation beforehand, preferably in front of someone else;
• Find out how many people will be there and who they are;
• Anticipate questions you might be asked and your answers;
• Find out where will you'll be doing the presentation;
• Make sure you know how to operate the projector, computer or video;
• Book the boardroom or lecture theatre and order tea, coffee and biscuits;
• Allow yourself enough time to set up beforehand.

The presentation itself

First impressions count and you want to appear confident, gain respect and set your audience at ease:

• Dress smartly in a suit if that's expected of you;
• Greet all your guests with a smile and offer them tea, coffee and biscuits;
• Introduce everybody if your guests don't know each other;
• Invite comments and questions either throughout the presentation or at the end;
• Talk loudly enough so that the people at the back of the room can hear you.

A presentation is like a performance, so make the most of it:

• Smile, enjoy yourself and look at all members of your audience, making eye contact;
• Stand up straight, keep your hands free and towards the audience;
• Look serious, sad, enthusiastic or excited at appropriate moments;
• Don't read off cue cards but make it sound like you're talking spontaneously;
• Vary your pitch and tone of voice. Speak clearly and not too fast.

Once you're into the presentation be aware that you may need to do the following:

• Cut a topic if it seems to be dragging too long;
• Add in something new if it seems pertinent;
• Change the running order if the audience wants to talk about a later topic earlier on;
• Keep to your allotted time.

The follow-up

At the end of the presentation don't forget to ask for feedback or next steps. That's an important part of what you came for.

Written by Alex Pitt

You might have missed...

Store cards

Waiting for your new jeans might not be so bad after all.

Morning-after emergencies

Some things take more than a can of coke to sort out.

Festival safety

Look after yourself and keep your festivals fun.