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
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