Pick an interesting topic, something you think your audience will be interested in
Pick a topic you already know a lot about or would like to learn about
Think about what you already know
Do some research to learn more
Decide what information you want to include in your presentation
Think about the order of your presentation, have a beginning, middle and ending
Come up with a beginning that will capture your audience’s attention and introduce your topic
Have a strong ending, not just; “I’m done” or “That’s all”. End with a concluding statement that restates your most important ideas
Why are you giving each presentation? Each type of presentation has a different style and format, but a presentation can have more than one purpose, and great presentations have different parts for different purposes. Entertain, persuade, inform, give directions)
All presentations need to be entertaining, or your audience will be bored.
Pick something you think is interesting or amazing, if you think it’s exciting your audience will as well
Think about your hobbies and interests, what do you love?
Time your presentation so it is about 3 minutes, too long and your audience will be bored, too short and they might not learn enough
Practice saying it out loud to your family or friends or even the mirror
You may want to have a few things written down, but NOT the whole thing
Tell, don’t read
Really think through your presentation, does it make sense? Have you left anything out? Is it exciting and interesting?
The more times you practice, the less nervous you will be
Are there things you could bring to make your presentation more interesting, like pictures, objects, costumes, short video clips, music, sound effects, graphic aids, etc.?
Practice using your prop so you are comfortable with it.
Can everyone see your prop? Is it big enough?
Put your prop in a place so it doesn’t block you, or you don’t interfere with it.
If you are going to walk around to show your prop make sure to KEEP talking while you are showing it.
Can you use a prop that helps students utilize their sense of smell, taste, hearing, touch, not just sight?
If you pass around your prop is it too distracting?
Could you demonstrate something to make your presentation more interesting?
Can the audience hear you easily? Do you speak clearly without mumbling, and loudly enough so that the audience can hear you?
Think about the space, and fill it with your voice. When you speak outdoors or in large rooms, you need to speak louder than in smaller spaces.
How big is your audience? You will probably speak more softly to a small audience that is close to you, than to a larger audience than is far away. Remember the people in the back need to hear you too.
Do you vary your voice and speak with expression? Do you vary your rate, volume, pitch, tone, phrasing and tempo?
Do you have any nervous behaviors that detract from your presentation? (giggling, playing with hair or clothes, rocking back and forth, saying “um”, etc.)
What do you do with your hands and feet?
Make sure to face your audience and use plenty of eye contact.
Smile and try to relax and act like you are enjoying giving your presentation.
Use gestures and facial expressions to make your presentation more interesting, and to help make important points.
Check your posture.
How are you dressed? Does it match your presentation? Some presentations may benefit from more formal dress or a simple costume.
Where do you want your audience to be during your presentation? Sitting at their desks? On the floor at your feet? Inside or outside? What works best for you and your presentation?
Do you want students to help with your presentation? To hold props, to help with demonstrations, or to answer questions?
Ask for questions and comments at the end of your presentation.
Watch your audience to see if they are paying attention or are bored.
Don’t start your presentation until you have your audience’s attention.