This document provides tips for giving effective presentations, including dos and don'ts. It discusses vocal techniques like varying pitch and pausing for effect. Proper use of words to state a position, explain ideas, and restate the position is key. Body language tips include making eye contact, using hand gestures, and facing the audience. Practicing extensively, including in front of others, is important. Common mistakes to avoid are reading slides verbatim, turning your back to the audience, using filler words, and failing to engage the audience. The document ends by welcoming feedback to improve presentation skills.

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 !