Junior thesis oral presentation guidelines require a 4-6 minute oral presentation of the thesis topic using PowerPoint, Prezi, or Google Presentation. When preparing the presentation, students should make an outline and script, introduce the topic in the introduction, present evidence and address any controversies in the body, and conclude by explaining how the topic might affect the audience's lives. Students should rehearse their delivery, time their presentation, use notecards, maintain eye contact, and focus on body language and pronunciation. Visual aids like images, graphs, and infographics should clarify and enhance the presentation with as little text as possible in a clear, simple format.

1. Junior Thesis Oral Presentation Guidelines
Requirements:
● Oral presentation of thesis topic—4 to 6 minutes
● PowerPoint, Prezi or Google Presentation
Preparing Your Presentation:
1. Make an outline and script
What do you want the audience to take away from your presentation? What is the
best way to make the class care about your message? What is the best structure for
a talk?
Remember: The primary goal of your talk is to communicate an idea effectively.
Introduction
A strong introduction is crucial.
● Start by giving your audience a reason to care about what you’ll say in the next few
minutes
● Get your topic/thesis out as quickly as possible
● Avoid a clichéd beginning; strive to be unique and thoughtful
Body
In presenting your topic and evidence:
● Your presentation should be an appropriate balance of data and anecdotal evidence,
appealing to both logic and emotion.
● Consider teacher comments on your paper when creating your presentation.
● Decide what delivery/approach will work best for your topic and personality. You may
consider doing the following:
➔ Address any controversies in your claims, including doubts your audience might
have about your ideas.
➔ Use appropriate humor.
➔ Share an anecdote or story.
➔ Give a brief overview or history of your topic.
➔ Use an analogy to make data and facts understandable.
● Consider what information or part of your paper are worth communicating to your class.
Some ideas in your presentation may be complicated; it is your job to make them
accessible to a high school audience who may have no prior knowledge in this area.
● You only have 4-6 minutes. Remember the goal of your speech and choose the details
that will have the greatest impact.
Conclusion
● Don’t simply summarize what you’ve already said; tell your audience how your
idea/topic might affect their lives
● If appropriate, give your audience a call to action

2. 2. Rehearse and refine your delivery
● Time yourself.
○ Do you have too much or too little? Decide now what you have to add or delete.
● The structure of your talk should be invisible to your audience.
○ In other words, don’t talk about how you’re going to talk about your topic—just talk
about it!
● Transfer information to notecards. You may not read from your paper.
○ In the presentation, it is important that you maintain eye contact with your audience,
not be turned to read from your PowerPoint.
● Practice, Practice, Practice!
○ First by yourself, then in front of a mirror, standing in front of a friend or family
member, with your PowerPoint…
● Pronunciation is important.
○ Know how to pronounce every word. If a sentence doesn’t “flow,” change it!
● Pay attention to body language. Consider the following:
→ Your hands. Keep them out of your pockets, out of your hair. If you are prone
to fidgeting, plan some gestures. Where will gestures fit in your presentation?
→ Your eyes. Eye contact is key. Don’t look at the ceiling. Don’t stare down at
your notecards. If it makes you nervous to look someone in the eye, try
looking at the spot where his or her forehead meets the hairline. Look at each
person one at a time.
→ Your feet. Don’t shuffle. Don’t shift. Plan movements between sections.
→ Your posture. Stand straight. Do not lean, sit, etc.
→ Your voice. Pause at the end of sentences (and take a breath). Speak louder
at points you want to emphasize.
● Dress up. First impressions do matter. Smile. Greet the class.
Preparing Your Visual Aid
What goes on my slides?
Decide early on PowerPoint slides. Find pictures, illustrations, etc. that CLARIFY and ENHANCE.
● Images and photos
○ Images should speak for themselves; there is no need to describe images onscreen
○ Only use images you have permission to use. If you don’t, cite your source (in
very, very small font!) at the bottom of your slide
● Graphs and infographics
○ Must be visually clear, and BIG. Graphs should make one point.
What should my slides look like?
● Use as little text as possible-- if your audience is reading, they are not listening.
○ Text font should be clear, simple, and large
○ Slides should not appear cluttered, with images or text
Whatever type of media presentation you choose, it is your responsibility to make

3. certain it is easily accessible (through sharing or a dropbox) on my computer before
the start of the class when you are presenting.