7 tips for making presentations
If I had to choose one thing I get the best marks on, itâd be making presentations. Thatâs why Iâm sharing the tips below (some of them you probably already know). Itâs a list of habits I gathered over the years. Although it works for me, everyone has their own pattern, so if you have some questions or need help feel free to message me.Â
1. Choose the most important information. For example, when exactly an author got married isnât useful when youâre talking about his work. Your presentation will become chaotic if you put all the information you gathered into it.Â
2. Connect ideas. Itâs easier to remember certain things if you see a pattern.Â
3. Mix things up. Donât rely on the standard: image-text combination. Add videos or give materials to your audience. During a presentation on film music my group talked about how it influences the way each scene is perceived. One person made a compilation of this scene (the Black Pearl being dragged by crabs) with I Will Always Love You and a horror movieâs theme. It received a more than positive reaction from our teachers. Another example, letâs say, the topic is why we need law to function as a society. Make your classmates draw their custom planet. Then let them talk about how things work on their imaginary planets. Write the main ideas on the board and tell them how similar ideas (laws) exist in your community. Â
4. Donât learn your text by heart. Understand the topic. My classmates tend to look every 5 seconds at their notes because theyâre relying heavily on their text. My teachers take away their points because it makes them look like theyâre not prepared. Instead, write down:
- the main point of this part/slide
- a date, word or name you canât remember
5. Arrange space to connect with your audience. Ask them questions. Let them deduce why that alliance was so important. Explain something using the material you learned in other classes. Let them take a short quiz. If youâre comfortable and the astmosphere is good, make jokes.Â
6. Let someone, your mom or one of your friends, see the presentation beforehand. Repeating your text wonât do you any good if the text itself is incomprehensible. Maybe youâll have to explain to your friend an idea you didnât know needed an explanation. Also, you can practice performing in front of the real crowd, not just your mirror.Â
7. Finally, take time to prepare yourself by setting some habits. What makes me feel better and more confident during a presentation is: having my hair tied up so it doesnât bother me and having a water bottle with me (note: I donât drink during speeches unless thereâs a break: like a video which takes the attention away from me). I usually think of three different hand positions, so I donât flap them around like a mad octopus or clutch desperately to my notes.Â
I hope youâll do well on your presentation â¨Â
If you find any of these tips useful, Iâm glad I could help.
If you have any advice please share it in the comments.Â
