Have put down some do's and dont's while giving a public presentation. Value adds/comments are welcome

1. DO’S AND DON’T’S
WHILE
GIVING A PRESENTATION
By Alwin Samuel

2. WHAT MAKES AN EFFECTIVE SPEAKER
• Control of the information provided
• The kind of voice used
• Using the right words
• Use of body language
• The right location
• Useful and meaningful visual aids

3. VOCAL TECHNIQUE
• Loudness
• Will you be using a microphone?
• Pitch
• Vary to make points
• Observe
• Watch your audience for reactions
• Pause for effect
• Allow time for message to “sink in”
• Emphasis on points that are crucial

4. THE VOICE
• Clear – Use simple, easily understood words and phrases
• Loud (enough) – it is important that everyone can hear you but
don’t be shrill
• Assertive – a bright and confident air born of knowledge of the
subject and good preparation
• Pause – it is essential to allow the listeners time to digest what
you have said

5. USING OF THE RIGHT WORDS
And
is the key to a successful presentation:
• State your position or point
• Explain your ideas
• Use examples
• Restate your position or point
‘What you say’
‘How you say
it’

6. BODY LANGUAGE
• Make eye contact, but move focus around the audience
• Use your hands, but don’t go crazy
• If possible move around, but slowly!
• Maintain a good sprightly posture, don’t droop or appear lazy
• DON’T speak with your back to the audience
• Make sure everyone can see you

7. PRACTISE MAKES YOU PERFECT
• Know your subject well
• Know what you are talking about
• Practice/ More Practice
• More rehearsals
- in front of the mirror
- in front of colleagues or friends
- in front of family members
• Believe in yourself
• Know your opening by heart

8. COMMON PROBLEMS
• Reading the presentation as it is :- You are not giving any value
add as the presenter. You are in fact diluting the presentation
• Turning your back to the audience to read :- leads to disinterest
and looking around
• Words like :- ‘Umm’, ‘Uh’, - any unrelated word or phrase
• Swaying/ rocking/ pacing/ fidgeting: makes the audience fidgety
and makes them lose focus on what you say
• Failure to be audience centered : You need to involve the
audience

9. TIPS
• Design slides carefully : No one likes to watch a jerky, eye sore
presentation
• Use your pauses effectively, driving home your point
• Water : Never let your mouth run dry. Let that moment be to let
the audience absorb your point
• Be prepared, never keep reading in the presentation as if
someone else has made it for you
• Smile
• Finish on, or under time

10. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSION
THE GOOD
• Welcoming gestures
• Focusing gaze
• Body language
• Getting point
• Reinforcing message
• Including audience
THE BAD
•Hostile gestures
•Wandering gaze
•Body language
•Missing point
•Seeking approval
•Excluding audience

11. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO VALUE ADD !