Presentation Skills

Presentation Skills

Content

• Presentation – Description and Purpose

• Planning a Presentation

• Stages of Presentation

• Presentation Etiquette

• Methods to make a presentation effective

 Obstacles to making an effective presentation

• Measures to overcome fear while presenting

Objective

At the end of the
session, the students will be able to:

• Explain the process of presentation

• Identify appropriate presentation etiquette while planning
for a presentation

• Devise measures to overcome fear while presenting

Presentation

Communication that can be adapted to various speaking situations,
such as talking to a group, addressing a meeting or briefing a team.

The purposes can be to:

1. Inform

2. Persuade

3. Educate

Planning a Presentation

A presentation is a well-thought and well-planned process. A
presentation needs to be effective. An ineffective presentation leads to
wastage of money, time and resources, as well as ineffective decision making
due to inadequate data input.

While preparing for a presentation, the presenter should
know:

• The audience

• The purpose

• Presentation equipment and accessories

The Purpose

Clarity about the purpose of the presentation is a mandate,
as the structure of the presentation depends on the purpose of the
presentation.

The purpose could be:

1. To Inform

2. To Instruct

3. To Inspire/Motivate

Know Thy
Audience

• Know the audience size:
Knowing the numbers facilitate logistics arrangements

• Research in
advance: Research on the background of the audience to address the cultural
differences as well as audience expectations. Certain sources that can provide
useful for the same are:

 Organizational websites/Social media platforms

 Reviewing blogs

• What is in it for me
(WIIFM): Presenter needs to make the audience aware for the benefits they
would acquire from attending the presentation. Conveying the purpose will spawn
curiosity among the audience that will contribute to the success of the
presentation

Stages of a
Presentation

The stages of a presentation are:

• Opening:
Outlines the presentation context and content

• Body:
Elaborates on the actual content

• Summary/Conclusion:
Summarizes the entire presentation

Presentation
– The Opening

The impression about the presentation is formed in the first
few seconds of the presentation.

Ways to start a
presentation include:

• Idioms/ Proverbs/Quotes/Facts

• Anecdotes (Real life situations)

• Short and relevant story

• Humor

The opening should
also address the following:

• The context of the presentation

• Scope of the main message (WIIFM)

• Outline of the presentation

Presentation
– The Body

• Break each section into simpler fragments

• Present incrementally, concisely and in logical order

• Illustrate clear examples with visual aids (if applicable)

Presentation
– The Conclusion

The conclusion should:

• Give a brief and simple summary of main points

• Highlight the main message

• Put the presentation in the context of the “big picture”

• Contain an action call / thought

Presentation
Etiquette

• Be early

• Come formally dressed

• Familiarize self with technology

• Maintain eye contact with audience

• Be prepared for an uncertainty

• Speak clearly

Points for
Effective Presentation

Effective
Presentation Delivery- Obstacles 

The most common obstacles faced during presentation
delivery:

1. Fear: The
common symptoms are

 Sweating

 Dry throat

2. Nervousness

3. Fidgeting while
speaking

4. Being verbose

5. Rushing through
the content

Measures to
Overcome Fear While Presenting:

1. Rehearse in front of a mirror

2. Practice in front of known people

3. Don’t overthink about audience reactions

4. Memorize the starting line or the first two sentences of the
presentation

5. Keep the presentation clear and simple

6. Stay positive

Summary

• A Presentation is a communication that can be adapted to various
speaking situations, such as talking to a group, addressing a meeting or
briefing a team

• There are three stages in planning: opening, body and conclusion

• Knowing your audience: Know the audience size

                 Research in advance

                 What is in it for me(WIIFM)

• Certain aspects of presentation etiquette need to be observed

• Points for an
effective presentation:

• Paralanguage and body language

• Content

• Knowing the audience

• Acknowledgement and overcoming obstacles

• Measures to
overcome fear:

• Be positive

• Be prepared

• Practice

• Do not rush through due to fear

• Memorize