Student Recruitment Office
Practical tips for delivering presentations in schools and colleges
Check in advance

Size of audience, AV equipment provided ie screen, data projector and laptop, OHP!),
location of school or college ie site (maybe two sites/entrances), get a map/directions
(from school/college or internet)

Always have the phone number/mobile with you incase you are delayed or lost on the
way and the name of the person you are meeting.

Arrive in plenty of time!
ALWAYS
Have a back up of your presentation ie acetates if technology fails or alternative storage device
(CD and USB drive) – sometimes all three!)
On arrival – check the following with the teacher/tutor
 You are delivering the right presentation and the amount of time you have available
 Confirm the year group of your audience/type of qualifications studying/level of
knowledge or previous input on topic). You could also do some of this clarification with
the group of students as part of intro to get their attention.
 Find out if you are being introduced (don’t be afraid to correct any inaccuracies in your
own intro)
 Check if students call the member of staff ‘Mr Smith’ or ‘Phil’ as you may refer to them in
your talk.
Don’t be surprised
Audience size – can vary from 5 to 150!
Venue – a cupboard to dining hall!
If you are not met, introduced or expected!
Starting off your presentation
Keep seated or remain at sidelines until you are introduced – so it is clear when you are
signalling the start of your presentation.
If you need to get the group’s attention – use volume first ie ‘Good morning’ or ‘OK listen up
everyone – thank you’
Or just stand up in front of them and wait until most people cotton on and when its quiet say ‘OK
let’s make a start’ to the stragglers.
Even if you don’t feel confident or it is the 20th time you’ve delivered the presentation and you're
bored of it – don’t show it! The audience will pick up on your nerves or boredom and you will
lose their attention – make sure you are always enthusiastic.
Introductions
Tell them who you are
Tell them how long you will be talking for (20 mins max if no interaction)
Tell them if you are happy to take questions throughout and that you will be available to answer
questions at the end
Tell them if there is a handout/copy of slides/ other information available to pick up at the end
Ask people to move (closer/in) if necessary (as much for your benefit as theirs)
Check that everyone can see/hear
Introduce the main themes of your talk
Throughout talk
Only use slang or ‘cool’ words/phrases if this is part of your natural vocabulary
Do not swear!
Be aware of your language or humour if you are at a school with a strong religious emphasis.
Disruptive audiences
Don’t necessarily rely on the member of staff, if there is one, to notice or deal with disruptive
students.
If someone is chatting and you catch them more than once deal with it straight away (rather
than give them subtle stares) – all it does is distract you.
All of these lines can be delivered in a tone that doesn’t sound stroppy:
‘Excuse me – if you have something to discuss that can’t wait please can you leave and do it
outside the room’
‘If you don’t want to be here I would rather you leave’
‘Please can you stop talking as you are making it difficult for me to deliver this presentation’.
Finishing
Never say you have finished until you really have, as soon as you start to wrap up people will
move, pack their things up and chat, while you are delivering your closing lines.
Thank people for listening and wish them good luck? (if they have and you mean it!)
Bev Ferguson
August 2007