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Physical Appearance - we can probably all agree that it's best to not judge a proverbial book by its cover, but it's a fact that your appearance makes a difference in the way your audience perceives your message. This doesn't mean you need a suit and tie or a face full of makeup, it just means that you should look put together and ready to present your ideas to the audience. Avoid the "just home from the gym," or "fresh out of bed" look when completing your presentation.

Voice Inflection - one of the things that makes Ben Stein's character so memorable is his monotonous voice. Don't be that guy!

Knowledge - before you can convince anyone of anything, you need to know what you're talking about. For the purpose of this assignment, you certainly don't need to be an expert in your topic, but you must have research and information that will demonstrate your credibility.

Confidence - even the most knowledgeable speakers can be hard to listen to if they lack confidence. Excessive "word whiskers" (um...and um...well...ya know?...) detract significantly from a presentation. Practice is the best way to combat word whiskers and exude confidence in your presentation.