Oral Presentations
Created by: Cheryl Radeloff and Sarah
Sifers
Funded by: Minnesota State University,
Mankato College of Social and
Behavioral Sciences
Types of Presentations
• Persuasive vs. informative
• Individual vs. group
– For group presentations, plan roles in
advance
Organization
• Establish purpose before you begin
• Structure
– Introduction
– Body
– Conclusion
• Transition phrases
• Avoid stating obvious or excessive details
• Keep to time limit
Non-verbal Communication
• Professional appearance
• Attitude
– Manage anxiety
– Clear speech
– Gestures
– Avoiding fillers and slang
– Avoid reading
• Modification based on audience response
Keeping on Track
• Notes or cards
– Legible
– Ordered
• Audiovisual aids
– Use for complex concepts
– Have a backup plan
• Practice
– Get feedback from others
– Watch yourself
Responding to Questions
•
•
•
•
Prepare in advance
Ask person to repeat question if unclear
Admit if you do not know answer
Allow discussion to happen
Additional Resources
• www.deakin.edu.au/studentlife/academicskills/undergraduate/handouts/class-presentations.php
• www.washjeff.edu/users/kmcevoy/presentation_tips.html
• www.brown.edu/Departments/Italian_Studies/dweb/pedagog
y/class-pres-skills.shtml
• http://faculty.uwb.edu/mgoldberg/oral.htm
• http://devo.buffalo.edu/Presenters/presentation_tips.pdf
• www.homepages.ucl.ac.uk/~tjmsesm/PGPresentationWorkshop.doc
• http://ceca.icom.museum/documents/cheatsheet.pdf