Presenting Research to an Audience

Start practicing well before the speaking event. To do this, create a script, outline, or notecards to guide your presentation and "read" it to yourself multiple times. Some presenters recommend memorizing a script, while others suggest only memorizing an outline. Regardless of what you prefer, ensure you know your spiel well enough that, if you get "lost" in any area of it, you are able to recover without a significant pause.

There is a huge difference between talking to a wall and talking to a room full of people. Here are some tips to avoid stage fright: 

• Practice with an audience of friends, family, or even stuffed animals

• During the event, speak to the back of the room (such that you cannot fully make out the faces) or pick a few friendly "anchor faces" you can focus on

• Smile and use good posture when on-stage or in front of an audience

• Do not read off of a notecard or focus on one specific point in the room

  • Instead, scan the room as you speak

• Speak slowly and over-pronounce your words

  • This might feel strange to you, but it will help ensure that everyone can understand you (especially if speaking through a microphone or other sound system)