English 2110: World Literature
Oral Presentation—Assignment Description
Deadline: Please refer to the posted schedule (see website) for your specific presentation date!
Please let me know well ahead of your scheduled date if you need to re-schedule for whatever
reason.
Percentage of Grade: 10%
Goal and Description: In order to understand the literature of other times and places, it will be
essential to learn as much as we can about the history, culture, religion, etc. of the people who
wrote and read (or performed, watched, and listened to) these works. I will be sharing photos,
descriptions, and stories of my travels through the countries where this literature originated. In
addition, I will ask each of you to sign up (at the beginning of the semester) for one oral
presentation topic. You will prepare and give your oral presentation with ONE (1) partner, i.e.
each topic requires two students (in the event that one of the students paired for a presentation
drops the course, I will adjust the topic accordingly). During your presentation (max. 10
minutes), you should share pertinent information about the historical and cultural context of the
text we study (including images and other visual aids, e.g. Powerpoint). I will give some sample
presentations during the first full week of classes before the oral presentation schedule begins.
The two students participating in one presentation may receive different grades, depending on
the quality of each portion.
All students should take diligent notes during these presentations; specifically, you should strive
to retain important conceptual information (such as “what was the relationship between men and
women in ancient Greek or Roman society?).
Process:
 You should start early preparing for your oral presentation by reading the text(s) assigned
for the day of your presentation, including the section/period introduction and the
individual author introductions. These readings should already give you a good idea
about the issues, themes, questions, and ideas relevant for the time and the text. Your
oral presentation, however, should go beyond that information, deepen it, or illuminate
different or more specific aspects.
 Next, you should consider what kind of focusing or narrowing your topic might need. At
this point in your preparation for the oral presentation you should a) do some preparatory
research (library and online) and b) meet with me personally to discuss your specific
focus. NB: Each group of presenters MUST meet at least once with me in my office
to discuss your presentation. Preferably, this should happen about 1 week before
your scheduled presentation.
 Next, you should choose some kind of presentation media (powerpoint, overhead, video,
whiteboard, paper handouts, music) you will use to facilitate your presentation. I don’t
prescribe a specific use of media, but you should have some form of visual aid presenting
the most important key terms as well as images, maps, music, etc. You could even use a
specific food or drink (non-alcoholic) from the country/region/culture that you are
speaking about. Also, you may certainly share images, stories, experiences, and objects
from personal travel, as long as it pertains to the subject of our readings and your
presentation.
Presentation Media: We have powerpoint, internet, DVD, VHS, Overhead projector, document
camera, CD player, and traditional slide projector. Important: Each group must send me
their presentation and/or handout at least 2 days before the scheduled presentation date.
Both partners should use the same technology in order to streamline the process. ALSO:
PRESENTERS MUST ARRIVE AT LEAST 5 MINUTES EARLY ON THEIR
PRESENTATION DAY TO SET UP THEIR MEDIA! PLEASE EMAIL ANY ELECTRONIC
FILES TO ME AHEAD OF TIME, IN CASE YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH
FLASHDRIVES, ETC.
Grading Criteria: I will grade your presentation based on preparedness (presentation style and
media, knowledge of the subject), content (relevance to the topic and coherence), creativity,
cooperation between the two presenters, professionalism (clear and audible speaking voice,
appropriate dress and manners during the presentation), timing, and responses to student and
instructor questions. I may ask questions after your presentations, but only to clarify or
emphasize specific points, not to elicit any information you may not have covered (no one can
cover everything).
Length: Each student should present circa 5-6 minutes, with a total presentation lasting about
10-12 minutes for both. Please test the length of your presentation ahead of time by practicing
and potentially cutting or adding material.
Sources: Each presentation MUST use at least 2 books as sources in addition to any website
or other electronic resources! You must list your sources in a bibliography either on your
electronic presentation (Powerpoint, etc.) or in a handout.