1. Plan a Well-Organized, Thoughtful Presentation

One of the most significant keys to an effective presentation is a well-structured plan that covers all the main points you want to address. Just as you don’t want to turn a group discussion into a lecture, so you should resist the temptation to throw a few questions at the class and think you’ve done your job. While it may appear that your favorite professors give their presentations without any preparation whatsoever, I guarantee it’s just the opposite. What appears effortless and spontaneous in class is actually the result of careful planning and research. Having said that, there is no single recipe for leading a discussion or giving a presentation, and I encourage you to be creative and to plan your presentation with any activities you think will enhance class participation and discussion. Here are some few tips for guidance: 

A. Think about how you want to structure the presentation, and be sure to leave some time for questions at the end. Organize your presentation around four or five key points and try rehearsing it at home or for your friends. Be mindful of the time.

B. While not required, you're free to enhance your presentation with PowerPoint slides, movie clips, music, or any other teaching aid. However, be mindful and deliberate about how you use teaching aids and avoid the common mistake of letting these aids do all the teaching. That is, don't simply read whatever you wrote on your slides, for example, but instead use them to enhance the points you want to make. 

C.  Begin by telling us why you choose to present on this particular topic and why you're interested in it. A personal approach to your presentation will make it more interesting for the rest of us. 

2. Do Your Homework

 Poorly executed presentations usually result from not doing enough research and not spending enough time thinking about how to present your topic. While your presentation is only 15 minutes, you want to become, in a sense, an expert on the topic of your choice. This means you should read and research as much as you can on the topic and not be content with casual internet searches. Use the college research portals and search for articles, books chapters, and critical reviews related to your topic, and ask a librarian for help if you come up empty-handed. While you won't be able to include everything you've learned into your presentation, you'll easily be able to answer any questions that arise. 

3. Relax and Have Fun! 

 Sometimes it’s difficult to relax and have fun when all the attention is focused on you, and it’s not uncommon for students to experience disappointment when it’s all over. Sometimes nerves get the best of them and sometimes it just doesn't go as planned. Just remember, however, that you probably know more about the topic than any of us in the class and that we're here to learn from you.