Effective Technical Presentations

Norman W. GarrickUniversity of Connecticut

A presentation is story telling

A presentation is story telling

Organizing Your Ideas

Be clear about what the story-line is

Remember a story has a BEGINNING – END – MIDDLE

Use an outline to help keep you organized

Don’t leave your audience behind

Know your audience

• What do they know?

• What do they want?

• What do YOU want then to know?

• What do they expect?

Put it on paper

• Use an outline - not a full text • Don’t Read the text

Say that again

• Use repetition• Say it more than one way

Body language

• Yes, you can use your hands!• Please don’t play with your keys• Let the audience see your enthusiasm for the

subject

Some Graphics are Worth a Thousand Words

some…. fugetaboutit

• Visible• Simple• Understandable• Relevant

Converse with Your Audience

• Remember that a presentation is a two way conversation

• Look at your audience• Pay attention to what the audience is saying to you

Prepare and Practice

• Prepare

• Practice, Practice, Practice