Unit 2
2.2 B: Delivering Presentations
Optional Handout B1
Preparing a Presentation
Before You Prepare Your Presentation
•
Consider who your audience is.
•
Consider your goals for the presentation: Do you want to convey information? Persuade your
audience to accept a point of view? Motivate your audience to take action?
Body of the Presentation
•
Organize the information into DAC sequence (Describe, Analyze, Comment), as appropriate.
•
Use “you” sentences to connect to the interests of listeners.
•
Use language that emphasizes important points:
o
Stress the auxiliary verb in a sentence. If there is no auxiliary verb, add “do,” “does” or “did”
for emphasis.
o
Use “not” or “no” instead of the contraction (for example, “I do not …” rather than “I don’t …”).
o
Use noun clauses as subjects to emphasize a point (for example, “What I’m suggesting is
that …” instead of “I’m suggesting that …”).
o
When two main clauses contain the same verb, repeat the subject and verb in the second
clause for emphasis (for example, “We need to reduce production costs, and we also need to
reduce packaging costs”).
Use of Media (Visuals and/or Audio)
•
Make sure the technology works in the setting where you will be presenting. Check that your
equipment is ready to use.
•
Use clear, uncluttered visuals to engage your audience. Ask:
o
Does this visual highlight key information? Does it contain too much information?
o
Is the layout (arrangement of information) logical? Does it show the relationships among the
pieces of information (by, for example, using lines, arrows, charts)?
o
Is the text size large and easy to read?
o
Does the visual use colour to highlight, contrast and show relationships?
o
Have you carefully proofread the visual?
•
Introduce each visual to prepare the audience for what they are about to see. Connect it to your
main points.
•
Interpret the visual for the audience. Do not just read it aloud.
OSLT Business Curriculum (Enhanced) – 2015
Colleges Ontario
139