This document provides guidance on creating effective presentations. It discusses defining the purpose and type of presentation, following fundamental principles like staying focused and practicing. Tips are provided on using visual aids appropriately, dressing professionally, techniques for engaging the audience, and common pitfalls to avoid. The overall message is to know your content and audience, practice effectively, and focus on clear communication.

1. Butterflies, PowerPoint, and
the ‘Perfect’ Presentation
Jeff Pelletier
The Ohio State University
Presentation available online at http://www.slideshare.net/jeffbc94

2. Your Parting Gifts
 Who are we – Why are we here
 What is a presentation
 Five rules for a better presentation
 Dress and appearance
 Some tricks to use; some to avoid
 But first…your initial questions

3. A Little About Me
 Boston College, BA Computer Science, 1994
 The Ohio State University, MA Higher Education and
Student Affairs, 2004
 8 years experience with US Navy
 10 years, Ohio Union Staff
 7 years, Delta Tau Delta
 8 years, Toastmasters International
 35+ conferences attended

4. A little More…
 37 years, Red Sox fan
 10 marathons completed
 Proud Pug Parent!

5. What is a Presentation?
 Four types of Presentations
– Informative
– Inspirational
– Entertaining
– Persuasive
 The Military Model

6. Five Fundamental Principles
 Stay focused
 Keep it short, finish early
– “Finish speaking before your audience finishes
listening.”
 Know the purpose and make it useful
 Judicious use of media
 Practice, practice, practice

7. Make it Useful
 Collect information ahead of time
– What does the audience want to hear?
– What does the space look like?*
 Use language the audience will understand
 Avoid acronyms

8. PowerPoint Abuse
Just
Because
you can
Mean

9. PowerPoint
 Do you need A/V?
 4 bullets, 6 words
 Reading from slides or notes – pause*
 Dark background and light fonts
 Adjust lighting if possible
 Have a backup plan

10. Some Tricks to Practice
 Greet audience members
 Eye contact*
 Speak slowly, clearly, accurately
 Look for a friendly face, look for head nods
 Move around the podium or stand up
 Use of nonverbals

11. Important Elements of
Communication
Your Guess Actual
Words ??? 7%
Tone ??? 38%
Visual ??? 55%

12. Some Pitfalls to Watch For
IN your control:
 “Crutch” words - um, ah, like, you know…
 Swallowing your words
 Humor – use and misuse
 Don’t confuse your listeners*
 Don’t sell yourself short
 Relax and harness nervous energy

13. Some Pitfalls to Watch For
NOT in your control:
 Sleepers!
 Co-presenters
 Room abuse
 THAT audience member

14. Dress and Appearance
 Always ask about appropriate dress for the
occasion
 Always dress one notch better
 The rule of 12…
 Watch out for accessories

15. Connect with the Audience
 Ask open ended questions
 Six degrees of separation…connect
 Give them reasons to like you
 But first…any initial questions?
 I don't know – Can I get back to you?
 Be honest and be yourself

16. Connect with the Audience
 Use “people words”
 Personalize statistics
 Body references
 Conversational phrases
 Name games

17. Written Presentations
Jeff’s Top Ten List of Written Crazymakers
1. CAPS LOCK
2. Excessive punctuation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3. Emoticons   ;-) 8-)
4. Grammar and capitalization in e-mail
5. Don’t forget subject line, attachments

18. Written Presentations
Jeff’s Top Ten List of Written Crazymakers
6. Make signature line appropriate
7. Double check pertinent information (date,
time, location)
8. Practical font and background
9. Avoid vernacular, jargon, abbreviation
10. “Webster’s defines…”

19. Tell 'em what you told 'em
 We established the speakers credentials
 We discussed what is a presentation
 5 Rules
 Military Briefing
 Dress and appearance
 Some tips you can use
 How to choose and present your topic

20. Good Luck With Future
Presentations!
Special thanks to:
- Keith Steiner (Delta Tau Delta)
- Michael Hevel (Association of Fraternity Advisors)
- Corbin Smyth (Association of College Unions
International)
- Kevin Johnston, Tennille-Lynn Milo (Toastmasters
International)
- George Brymer (author, Vital Integrities)
Jeff Pelletier
Pelletier.12@osu.edu
614-688-INFO (4636)
Presentation available at: http://osudelts.org.ohio-state.edu/about.php

21. Panels and Roundtables
 Introduce the topic at hand, and have some guiding
thoughts/questions to get things started
 Allow time for processing questions (to ask or to
answer)
 Okay to wander from a set agenda, provided:
– The group is being productive
– Not too much time on one particular issue
 Watch for dominant/quiet participants
 Consider a recorder/minute-keeper

22. Leading/Serving on A Panel
 Select panelists with varied experience, knowledge,
generation, or location
 Repeat questions from audience for all to hear
 Not every question needs to be answered by all
 Time limit on presentation, and answers
 Summarize to close the session

23. Roundtables
 Quick introduction of participants
 Five types of questions:
– Overhead
– Direct
– Relay
– Open-ended
– Closed-ended/Show of Hands
 Watch for side-conversations after group has moved
on
 End early to encourage direct follow-up

24. Connect IN the Audience
 It’s okay to smile
 Nodding off vs. nodding in assent
 It’s okay to laugh!
 Resist the temptation to be “that audience
member”
 Follow-up after the session

25. Written Presentations
Michael’s Top Ten List of Written Crazymakers
11. Take time to write
12. Proofread
13. Citation style
14. Inclusive language
15. Adverbs, contractions, passive voice

26. Being a Good Listener
 Four types of listening
– Engaged
– Thoughtful
– Combative
– Absent
 Hear – Understand – Interpret – Respond
 Don’t think about your response while listening

27. Turning Experience into a
Presentation
 Practice into Theory
 What does your audience want to hear?
 Why are they listening?
 What are your own abilities?

28. National Conferences – “The
Big Show”
 No prerequisites – just desire and material
 Start early to finish
 Regional as Rehearsal
 Offer to present on campus (HR Departments)
 Find your local Toastmasters club