Making Effective Presentations
In Preparation…
q Do you know your audience? Who are they and why are they here?
q Do you have a clear objective? What do you want your audience to DO?
Style & Structure
q Have you considered targeting the different learning styles?
q Have you considered constraints of the event ex. room setup, time, technology?
q Are you avoiding a style you know to be dull? (Don’t be afraid to be different!)
q If using powerpoint: do your slides have too much text? Are you ready to use those slides only as visual cues, NOT to read off?
q Does your Introduction grab the audience?
q Is your Conclusion memorable?
q Have you included interactive elements?
q Is your presentation too long? Have you allotted time for a break?
q Have you considered when to take questions? If Q&A is at the end, have you prepared probing questions ready to ask your audience? (You don’t want to conclude to the sound of crickets!)
Delivering the Goods
q If nervous, have you practiced? (It will help you with the points below)
q Read the audience, not your notes! Make eye contact with individuals.
q Will everyone in the room be able to hear you? Use appropriate volume, speed and tone. (Try changing your to speed and tone to draw attention to certain points.)
q Relax! Open up to your audience.
Takin’ It Home
q Is your handout a waste of paper, or a useful resource? (Like this one!)
q Does your handout encourage the audience to go forth and DO?
If you need help with giving environmental presentations at your school, PEYA can provide you with resources and expertise from other schools. Give us a call at 905-274-6222 or email info@peyalliance.com!
