Great PresentationsGreat Expectations

Heather McDonnellSarah Lawrence College

Scott AtkinsonThe College at Brockport

State University of New York

Two, Two,Two Presentations

In One

“Many are ready to even die in battle, but few can face an assembly without nerves.”

-ancient Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar

“Most people would prefer to be lying in the casket rather than giving the eulogy.”

-Jerry Seinfeld

KISS!

Keep it Simple!

Keep it Short!

Gotta Do the Homework

Know your numbersKnow your statistics

Preparation is the foundation to an excellent presentation!

Helpful Tip

Come Early, Really Early

The Audience

Primary groupH.S. Senior familiesThe Board of TrusteesSchool counselors

Hidden Group?(potential applicants)

Helpful Tips

Know Your Audience Put Yourself in the

Audience

Select and Organize

Remember 7th grade English?

The BeginningThe MiddleThe End

Helpful Tips

Get Practice Anticipate

The Beginning

Get their attention

JokeStartling statisticGreat StoryPictureRhetorical question

Helpful Tip

Don’t Apologize(Unless you are really wrong)

Helpful Tip

Speeches are about Stories

Your Purpose

Describe the outcome of this meetingIntroduce yourselfMake the meeting personal

Explain the benefit

The Middle

Three to seven critical points only!

ProcessApplicationsPrograms

It’s Not Brain Surgery

The NY Times is written at a 7th grade reading level

Keep your remarks focused on a 7th grade listening level

Helpful Tip

Be Entertaining

Diagnose the audience

Glazed eyes?Furrowed brow?Sound asleep?No questions?You’re losing them!

Helpful Tips

Really Listen and Respond to Audience

Adjust and Adapt where Necessary

Share Yourself

Analyze your audience for appropriateness

Interject SHORT and PERTINENT personal stories

Makes you more believable

Helpful Tip

Have Fun!

About Yourself

Dress appropriatelyGrooming is a must ~ you are the object

of their gazeRelax ~ you know your stuffDon’t fidget ~ feet and handsWatch your theatrics

Helpful Tips

Slow downEye contactProject your voiceBreathe in not out

Summarize Often

Reinforces the main ideasEmphasizes your purpose and pointEnhances listening and hearingThe end isn’t so overwhelming

The End

Close with a

The Bang

Not Questions (yet)Final grabber ~ the more emotional the

betterUse powerful words and images

The Questions Question?

Yes, BUT only if you haven’t been taking questions throughout the session

It’s not a great way to end a great presentation.

Helpful Tip

Make Time to Think “That’s a good question” “What would you do?”

Say Good Night, Gracie

Thank them for their attention

Acknowledge your host or facilitator

Helpful Tip

Consider the Use of: Handouts Slides & Other Media

Helpful TipWhen people attend a presentation, they are not

interested in having someone read the slides to them. If that was all there was to learn from the presentation, they could have read the slides themselves and saved a lot of time. One of the most common complaints regarding presentations is that the presenter just read everything from the screen. You have all been there so keep it in mind when preparing your visuals.

Creating and Giving Presentations – Step by Step Guide

1. Define Purpose

2. Gather Content and Presentation Ideas

3. Structure the Subject Matter

4. Develop How to Present It

Creating and Giving Presentations – Step by Step Guide

5. Prepare Presentation

6. Practice

7. Plan, Experience, Control the

Environment

8. ‘Dress Rehearsal’ if Warranted

KISS