Developing presentation skills(Message delivery)

so,your lecturer tells you that you have to do a presentation.Maybe you start panicking .You ask yourself "how can I face the audience"?On the day of the presentation you begin to sweat.Your heart beats faster and you think you might faint.What is happening?You are having "Communication Apprehension"or the fear of speaking in front o others.While this is fairly normal,all you need is that magic world "PRACTICE".
             Therefore before you make a presentation there are some important points you have to consider.For instance,it is important to know as much as possible about the venue-this will prevent for instance,it is important to know as much as possible about team,the following question:
1.What?(what is available-equipment etc)
2.Where?(location-you need to be familiar with the place you are going to present in).
3.When?(make sure you have the date,time,and dry right)
4.How?(Is it a group presentation or an individual presentation)
5.Why?(Is It part of your course work? Lecturers? Peers? Outside examiners? Etc)

After determining what is available,get back to the organizer as soon as possible after preparing your presentation and confirm what you need.

Getting ready:

• Seating layout(If it is an exam where will the examination sit?)
• Equipment(Is it compatible to what you have?)
• Displays
• Light switches and lighting
• Sound systems and microphones
• The lectern or podium(or do you have clip on microphones)
• Room temperature
• Distractions
• Relax

Once everything is ready RELAX before your presentation

Important presentation Tips-just remember these points

Communication is made up of 3 elements:
1.Verbal-words you are
2.Vocal-voice you are
3.Visual-what people see of your face and body.

In addition,when dressing up for a presntation there are some things you should remember:

You Never get a second chance to make a first impression

This is an important piece of advice.Therefore you should

•    wear comfortable clothes
•    know that dark colours-(show you are authoritative)
•    avoid flamboyant colours
•    note-"When you are poorly dressed,audiences notice your clothing.When you are smartly dressed thay notice the person"(Gaulke,1977:Grimmond:1996)

You must always try to be professional.So here are some important tips to help you.

• Do you read or memorize your speech or what you are going to say.
• Plan out  the opening(introduction)and the closing(conclusion)
• If you have not been introduced,do so yourself.
• At the outset give the structure of your presentation.
• Be polite and respectful to everyone present.
• Never start a presentation with an apology for your shortcoming.(eg:I'm sorry I'm not very familiar with this-referring to use of Power point).
• If there is a pause don't fill  the silence with  'um','ah','ok' etc.
• Be careful no to appear too conceited(do not boast)or anttagonistic.
• Show you have expertise and experience in your topic.
• Use explicit words and concrete facts.
• Stay calm at all times-Never get angry.
• Maintain eye contact with your audience.
• Quote from recognized and respected sources,
• If you are using Power point slides,do not at any time read from slides.say your own words.

PRACTISE

Remeber EXPERIENCE & CONFIDENCE come with PRACTISE

USING VISUAL AIDS
PREPARATION OF VISUAL AIDS?

Use visual aids to:
i)gain more attention
ii)clarify or emphasize a point
iii)add variety
iv)change the focus
v)summarise your main point or your objectives.

Visuals cannot take the place of the presenter.

SELECTING VISUAL AIDS

• Everything is ready,but you can't decide on what visuals to select.So here are some guidelines to help you.
• The type of visuals you use will depend on:
• The information you are trying to convey
• The equipment available
• The size of the audience
• Location(where you are speaking)

TYPES OF VISUAL AIDS
DESIGNING VISUAL AIDS

1. Restrict the amount of text(7 words per line,7 lines only)
2. Write in point form.Do not use long sentences.(bullet it) 
3. Use a suitable font.
4. Center heading,have two lines of space between heading and text.
5. Text should be flushed left with one line of space between each point.
   
   Use a minimum amount of punctuation and color.