The document provides guidance on improving presentation skills. It outlines objectives for a session that will help participants utilize body language, voice, and visual aids effectively. It also discusses dealing with presentation anxiety, making eye contact, using gestures appropriately, preparing content by understanding the audience and desired outcome, and responding to questions confidently. Visual aids should be simple, clear, and large enough to read from the back of the room. The goal is to present information to the audience in an engaging manner and answer any questions without becoming defensive.

1. PRESENTATION SKILLS
Sohail Ahmed
M.A English Literature

2. OBJECTIVES FOR TODAY
• By the end of the session, participants will be
able to…
• utilize eye contact, body language and voice
to their advantage in a presentation,
• apply the 3 A’s in preparing content for a
presentation,
• develop visual aids that reflect good
instructional design properties, and
• respond to questions in an effective manner.
SOHAIL AHMED, M.A ENGLISH LITERATURE 2

3. PRESENTATIONS SKILLS
• Your presentations skills are just as
important as the information you are
presenting. This guide will help you
prepare for a presentation and polish
your speaking skills for a successful
pitch.
• Lets Hit the Presentation
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4. PODIUM PANIC
• For some people, the thought of giving a
presentation is more frightening than
falling off a cliff, financial difficulties,
snakes and even death.
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5. DEALING WITH PODIUM PANIC
• Audiences are forgiving
• Nervousness is usually invisible
• Be yourself
• Practice deep breathing/ visualization
techniques
• Begin in your comfort zone
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6. DEALING WITH PODIUM PANIC, CONT.…
• Check out the room in advance
• Concentrate on the message
• Begin with a slow, well prepared intro;
have a confident and clear conclusion
• Be prepared and practice
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7. EYE CONTACT
• Never let them out of your sight.
• Looking them in the eye makes them feel
that they are influencing what you say.
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8. BODY LANGUAGE
Yes & Yes
• You Must a Cool Body Language
• Giving the proper Gesture
• Understand the Environment
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9. BODY LANGUAGE
NO-NO’s
• Lean on or grip the podium
• Stand immobile
• Use a single gesture repeatedly
• Cross your arms in front of your chest
• Use obviously practiced or stilted gestures
• Chew gum or eat candy
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10. VOICE
• Speech • Rate of speech
• Pronunciation • Volume
• Vocalized • Pitch or tone
pauses
• Emphasis
• Substandard
grammar
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11. PREPARING CONTENT
3 A’s
• Analyze your AUDIENCE.
• Define what ACTION you want them to
take.
• Arrange your ARGUMENT to move them.
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12. ANALYZE YOUR AUDIENCE
• What are their names, titles,
backgrounds, reasons for attending,
etc…?
• What are their big concerns?
• What are their objectives, fears, hot
buttons, and attitudes?
• How much detail do they need?
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13. DEFINE WHAT ACTION
• What action do you want the audience to
take?
• Define it in terms of the audience.
• What will they feel, believe, and do after
hearing your talk?
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14. ARRANGING YOUR ARGUMENT
1. Shake hands with the audience.
2. Get to the point.
3. Present your theme.
4. Develop your agenda point by point.
5. Summarize and recommend.
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15. Now its time to make a
Presentation.
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16. VISUAL AIDS
• Visual Aids should be very Clear.
• Don’t Use Deeps
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17. DESIGN CONCEPTS
• Big
• Simple
• Clear
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18. BIG
• Should be able to read everything from
the back row
• At least 28 pt, preferably 36
• Use the floor test
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19. SIMPLE
• No more than 6 lines
• No more than 7 to 10 words per line
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20. CLEAR
• Use Official Fonts Like, Arial, Cambria ,
Times New Roman etc.
• Colors of Template Should be Clear
Blue background with yellow text
Black Background with White Text
• Avoid overuse of red, shadows, animation
and transitions
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21. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
“Does anyone have any questions for my
answers?”
-Henry Kissinger
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22. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
• Anticipate lines of questioning
• Don’t rank questions
• Keep answers brief
• Be honest
• Avoid negative words
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23. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
• Don’t repeat negative questions
• Clarify question
• Move your eyes off questioner
• If negative, end your response focused on
somebody else
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24. THE RULE
• NEVER argue with a member of the
audience.
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25. INSTEAD…
• Look at the questioner.
• Remain neutral and attentive.
• Listen to the whole question.
• Pause before you respond.
• Address the questioner, then move your
eyes to others.
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26. EASY AS A B C
• “I can’t Answer
that question Because …,
but I Can tell you…”
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27. • “Better to keep your mouth shut
and appear ignorant than open it
and remove all doubt.”
-Mark Twain
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28. “Make sure you have finished
speaking before your audience has
finished listening.”
-Dorothy Sarnoff
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29. Good Luck
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