Oral Presentations: Do's & Don'ts


Be organized!  The more organized and focused your presentation is, the more relaxed you'll feel.

Breathe!  (It helps you relax.)

Don't try to cover too much material.  Remember you only have 7-10 minutes.

Do speak clearly, slowly and at an appropriate level for your audience.

Use vocabulary that is appropriate for your audience.   If you use new vocabulary, make sure you
explain it and write it on the board.

Do make eye contact with all members of your audience.

Do move around.

Do use hand gestures.

Do allow the audience to ask questions at the end of your presentation.

Don't read your presentation.  You can use short notes, but reading a presentation is unnatural;
also, it makes it very difficult for your audience to follow.

Do practice your presentation with a partner or in front of the mirror.

Do remember to thank your audience and introduce the next speaker.

















Imagine you are about to present a $10,000,000 project proposal to a large group of investors. You
are anxious. You are frightened.

You feel sweat breaking out on our back and forehead.You walk into the room and begin your
presentation. Your laptop fails to work. You feel out of place because everyone is wearing Hawaiian
Luau shirts.

You are five minutes into your presentation and someone from the back yells out, “Hey, what’s your
name?” You can’t believe you forgot! You’re embarrassed and now feel really out of place. Does any
of this sound familiar?




The Do’s & Don’ts of presentations:


Part 1: Before the Presentation
Part 2: When you first Begin the Presentation
Part 3: During the Presentation
Part 4: Ending the Presentation
Part 5: After the Presentation



BEFORE THE PRESENTATION


DO: Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice always makes a perfect presentation.

DO: Dress to impress. This shows respect for your audience. Why not? It is always more pleasant to
watch and listen to someone who takes their speaking and presentation seriously.

DO: Get to know your audience before the presentation. Meet at least one or two people from the
audience before the presentation. Then bring up their names during the presentation to build
rapport with the audience.

DO: Check your equipment. Check any microphone, laptop, projectors, etc. Make sure they all work.

DO: Empty your pockets. No one wants to hear your keys or anything else making noise while you are
presenting.

DO: Turn your cell phone off or put it on silent.

DON’T: Try not to eat right before a presentation. You never know about the food.

DON’T: Don’t be late! Arrive at least 15 – 30 minutes before you are supposed to present. Give
yourself plenty of time to settle in and get your thoughts together.



WHEN YOU START YOUR PRESENTATION


DO: Introduce yourself. Don’t assume anything. Depending on time allowed, give a 30 second to 5
minute introduction of yourself.

DO: Ask questions. Asking the audience questions is a great way to make sure they are awake and
keeping them feeling involved from the start.

DO: Tell a personal story. This is simple and effective way to help your audience to get to know
you. Make them your friends.

DO: Tell them what you are going to tell them. Give them a quick introduction on the objective of
your presentation and what are they going to learn or understand by the end of your presentation.

DON’T: Don’t try to make jokes if you are not good at it. This can be very dangerous!



DURING THE PRESENTATION

DO: Eye contact. Your firm eye contact will convey your confidence. Act like you own the room. Do
not glance around the room too fast. Spend at least three to five seconds on each person. Each
person wants to feel that you are only talking to them.

DO: Smile. Act like you are having a great time! Better yet, have a great time!

DO: Speak up. If don’t have a microphone, project your voice a bit louder than you might think to
make sure the back of the room can hear you. It’s good to ask the people in the back of the room to
make sure they can hear you; it’s a nice courtesy and also helps them feel included.

DON’T: Watch your posture. Stand up straight. Don’t walk around too much or do any non-purposeful
movements. Unnecessary movements can distract your audience.

DO: Use the right words. Try not to use too many acronyms or terms that few people may understand.
Connect with your audience and explain in simple terms where possible.

DON’T: Be careful with your hands. Again, move your arms and hands purposefully. If you don’t need
to use them, just rest them at your sides. Don’t put your hands in your pockets.

DO: Rhythm. Pace your speech to a steady rhythm. Not too fast or too slow. Make sure everyone can
hear you clearly.

DO: Show your excitement about the topic. Increase your voice volume and/or slow down your speech
when you are presenting important points.

DO: Show your emotion when needed. Slow down when you are trying to present an important point.


ENDING THE PRESENTATION


DO: Conclude by repeating your main points you covered during the presentation.

DO: Conclude with a quote. Audiences always remember a good quote.

DO: Conclude with a story. Audiences always remember a nice story.

DO: Conclude with a call to action. Tell your audience what they should do next after your
presentation.

DO: If you have a question and answer session, before you answer the question, repeat the question
asked by your audience to make sure everyone can hear the question. This keeps everyone involved
through the end.

DO: Thank the audience. Show them your appreciation. Show them you want to be there.


AFTER THE PRESENTATION

DO: Continue the relationship. Follow up with your audience either through a phone call, e-mail, or
regular mail.

DO: Plan to spend at least 30 minutes after the conclusion if time allows at the venue. This will
enable you to further connect with your audience. You’ll be surprised at the number of people who
will want to talk with you after you’ve delivered an effective presentation.




http://www.edithyeung.com/2007/10/29/presention-dos-and-donts/