Preparing for Presentations
Roberto Munoz
With the semester coming to an end, many
professors require final presentations. These can be nerve wrecking for some
students. The following steps will help you ease your worries.
1. Research
Make sure that you do good research when it comes to your topic. It’s important to have accurate and reliable information. The library has many resources at your disposal.
2. Use the 10-20-30 Rule
This rule states that your PowerPoint presentation should be 10 slides long, no longer than 20 minutes, and use a 30 font. Avoid long paragraphs in your slides. YOU should be the presentation; the PowerPoint should just be an aid.
3. Practice
Practice, practice, practice, and when you’re done practicing, practice some more! Give yourself a day or two to practice the presentation to avoid the mistake of reading everything that is on your PowerPoint word by word. Practicing in front of your family or friends is a good way to get feedback. Practicing in front of a mirror will also help you look at the way you look when presenting, making sure that you look and feel comfortable.
4. Dress Professionally
Look good and you will feel good. Dressing professionally makes you look good and feel confident. It’s important to get in the habit of dressing professionally, especially if you are a business student or hoping to get into the professional world.
5. Be the Presentation
As already mentioned, YOU are the presentation; so own the floor when you are in front of your audience. If you don’t feel comfortable with eye contact, look at the back of the room or focus on people that you may feel comfortable with. Avoid reading everything that is on your PowerPoint word by word.
6. Smile and Keep the Audience Engaged
A smile goes a long way. Smiling, even when you’re not happy, can make you feel good. Keep that smile on and try to engage your audience. Ask questions or even make a joke; this will help you feel more comfortable.
Presentations do not have to be something that you have to be afraid of. Everything becomes easy with practice. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will be. Have a great end of the semester everyone!
1. Research
Make sure that you do good research when it comes to your topic. It’s important to have accurate and reliable information. The library has many resources at your disposal.
2. Use the 10-20-30 Rule
This rule states that your PowerPoint presentation should be 10 slides long, no longer than 20 minutes, and use a 30 font. Avoid long paragraphs in your slides. YOU should be the presentation; the PowerPoint should just be an aid.
3. Practice
Practice, practice, practice, and when you’re done practicing, practice some more! Give yourself a day or two to practice the presentation to avoid the mistake of reading everything that is on your PowerPoint word by word. Practicing in front of your family or friends is a good way to get feedback. Practicing in front of a mirror will also help you look at the way you look when presenting, making sure that you look and feel comfortable.
4. Dress Professionally
Look good and you will feel good. Dressing professionally makes you look good and feel confident. It’s important to get in the habit of dressing professionally, especially if you are a business student or hoping to get into the professional world.
5. Be the Presentation
As already mentioned, YOU are the presentation; so own the floor when you are in front of your audience. If you don’t feel comfortable with eye contact, look at the back of the room or focus on people that you may feel comfortable with. Avoid reading everything that is on your PowerPoint word by word.
6. Smile and Keep the Audience Engaged
A smile goes a long way. Smiling, even when you’re not happy, can make you feel good. Keep that smile on and try to engage your audience. Ask questions or even make a joke; this will help you feel more comfortable.
Presentations do not have to be something that you have to be afraid of. Everything becomes easy with practice. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will be. Have a great end of the semester everyone!