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Presentation Skills: Key Elements

Introduction Slide

• Thesis/Topic
• Name, date, class
• Version presentations
• Backup method

A Good Thesis

• Thesis Definition: The central message or argument
  • Different from a topic
  • Short enough to remember
• Example:
  • Weak: “This presentation is about marketing.”
  • Strong: “Effective marketing strategies can increase customer retention by 20%.”

Active learning

• Why
  • 10 minutes before heart rate slows down
  • Sense of engagement / danger
• Think-Pair-Share or Breakout:
  • Good for creating initial energy, especially if a quiet crowd
  • Pose a question, have participants discuss in pairs, then share with the group
• Live Polls or Quizzes:
  • Use tools like Mentimeter, Kahoot, or Slido to pose questions
  • Show of hands (or fingers 1,2,3,4, …)
  • Avoid right/wrong questions
• Application problem
  • Written problem to allow for processing time
  • Gives time to walk around for one-on-one input

Slide design

• One thought per slide: Thesis
  • Bullet points 6x6 grid?
  • Image focus
  • Use PPT slide design
• Sourcing good images
  • Open license images
  • GenAI images
• WordArt (encode meaning)

Body

• Good Posture:
  • Stand tall with shoulders back
  • Weight evenly distributed
  • Avoid fidgeting or slouching
• Eye contact:
  • Ping-pong from person to person around the room
  • Hold eye contact for 3-5 seconds per person/group (one sentence)
  • No notes
  • Direct audience to slides to help them see what is important
• Room movement
  • Pace between main points

Voice

• Typical Mistakes:
  • Speaking too quickly (nervousness)
  • Speaking too slowly (monotony)
• Use pauses to:
  • Slow down
  • Emphasize critical points
• Breath Deeply:
  • Inhale slowly through your nose, filling your diaphragm
  • Hold for a moment, then exhale slowly
  • Repeat before speaking or during pauses