Making Presentations
This section provides resources for making presentations to individuals or groups who are considered constituents or stakeholders, such as parents, school board, policy makers, colleagues, media representatives, civic leaders, and businesses or industries.
Click on the following issues related to making presentations to see links and references to resources that address those issues.
Issue: How do I identify and use group dynamics to my benefit?
How to Give an Academic Talk
Paul N. Edwards (© 1998-2009). University of Michigan.
http://pne.people.si.umich.edu/PDF/howtotalk.pdf
This article is useful for anyone wanting to make a thoughtful presentation that is not the academic stereotype speech, whether in the humanities or sciences. It includes three fundamental principles and twelve rules of thumb.
Presentation Tips for Public Speaking
http://www.aresearchguide.com/3tips.html
This website is part of a research guide for students and includes many helpful tips on presenting in front of an audience. The site also includes links to several other websites that can help you with public speaking.
10 Tips for Public Speaking
http://www.toastmasters.org/tips.asp
This website offers some proven tips on how to control and give better presentations.
Issue: What strategies can I use to make my presentation engaging?
20 Tips for Engaging Your Audience
Rowena Crosbie
http://www.tero.com/engaging.html
This website provides 20 techniques that skillful presenters use to engage the emotions and learning state of their audience members.
Issue: What can I do to become a more confident presenter?
How To Conquer Public Speaking Fear
Morton Orman
http://www.stresscure.com/jobstress/speak.html
This article outlines 10 major sources of stress for public speakers, and suggests ways to overcome them.
10 Tips for Successful Public Speaking
Toastmasters International
http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/FreeResources/...
Toastmasters International provides support and a positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills. This pamphlet outlines what the group considers the most important tips for public speaking that will help control nervousness. Complete link: http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/FreeResources/NeedHelpGivingaSpeech/TipsTechniques/10TipsforPublicSpeaking.aspx
12 Ways Presenters Can Look More Confident Than They Feel
New Entrepreneur
http://www.newentrepreneur.com/Resources/Articles/Look_more_confident/look_more_confident.html
These tips can help you get from audience member to presenter.
Presentation Tips for Nervous Presenters
http://tipsfornervouspresenters.blogspot.com/
This blog has a variety of tips and techniques for overcoming nervousness while presenting.
Issue: What are the kinds of “presenter tips” I should keep in mind as I prepare for my presentation?
SpeechTips.com
http://www.speechtips.com/
This website includes sections on the three steps for successful speech writing and public speaking: planning, writing, and delivery.
Free Public Speaking Tips.
Lenny Laskowski. LJL Seminars
http://www.ljlseminars.com/monthtip.htm
This site provides a sizeable list of topics related to better public speaking, with links to advice on each topic. Topics include "Elements of an Effective Speech," "Using LCD Projectors," and "How to Create a Great First Impression."
Presenting
EffectiveMeetings.com
http://www.effectivemeetings.com/presenting/index.asp
This comprehensive website includes links to over a dozen articles on the delivery of effective presentations. Articles like “The Right Vocabulary Can Make all the Difference,” “10 Presentation Do’s and Taboos,” and “Keeping Your Audience Interested” are full of constructive advice.
10 Tips on Becoming a Better Presenter
Wendy Russell
http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/powerpointinbusiness/tp/071231resolutions.htm
These 10 tips will help you make a lasting impression as a skilled presenter using PowerPoint or other presentation software.
ISSUE: How do I present to parents?
Playing Their Parts: Parents and Teachers Talk About Parental Involvement in Public Schools
Public Agenda Online, 1999
http://www.publicagenda.org/files/pdf/playing_their_parts.pdf
Public Agenda surveyed parents and public school teachers to find out what they think parents should be doing in the public schools. This report explores the disconnect between teacher and parent expectations for parent/child relations.
Attitudes About Teaching: Including the Views of Parents, Administrators,
Teachers and the General Public
Public Agenda, 2003
http://www.publicagenda.org/files/pdf/attitudes_about_teaching.pdf
For this report, Public Agenda has reviewed and analyzed opinion research on teachers and teaching over the last decade. Requires user registration to view the entire report.
Making Your Case to Teachers, Principals/School Leadership Teams, Central
Office, School Board, Parents, and Business/Community
EDC K–12 Science Curriculum Dissemination Center, Center for Science
Education (CSE) at Education Development Center, Inc.
http://teacherleadership.edc.org/10case.pdf
Six discussion pieces to use when considering ways of approaching various constituent groups to make the case for science reform.
Parent-Teacher Night Tips for New Teachers
Massachusetts Teachers Association, 2003
http://www.massteacher.org/teaching/newmembers/communications/communications_parents/communications_ptnite.aspx
See
the list of 10 quick tips for parent-teacher nights. This list includes
advice for effective presentations to parents that is applicable for
teachers of all levels of experience.
ISSUE: How do I present to the school board?
Trying to Stay Ahead of the Game: Superintendents and Principals Talk
About School Leadership
Public Agenda, 2001
http://www.publicagenda.org/files/ahead_of_the_game.pdf
Public Agenda surveyed superintendents and principals to find out their thoughts on school leadership. Requires user registration to view the entire report.
Making Your Case to Teachers, Principals/School Leadership Teams, Central
Office, School Board, Parents, and Business/Community
EDC K–12 Science Curriculum Dissemination Center. Center for Science
Education (CSE) at Education Development Center, Inc.
http://teacherleadership.edc.org/10case.pdf
This product provides six discussion pieces to use when considering ways of approaching various constituent groups to make the case for science reform.
Tips for Making Presentations to School Boards
Small Schools Project, 2002
http://www.txechs.com/downloads/33_tips_board.pdf
This document includes a checklist for preparing and giving a presentation to the school board.
How to Speak at a School Board Meeting
http://www.wikihow.com/Speak-at-a-School-Board-Meeting
This page offers 14 consecutive steps on how to speak comfortably and effectively to a school board.
ISSUE: How do I interview with the news media?
Preparing for TV and Radio Interviews
Online Women’s Business Center, Small Business Administration,
1997
http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/operating/marketing/mediainterviews.html
Information to help prepare for a TV or radio guest appearance.
How to Have a Good Media Interview
Roger Darlington
http://www.rogerdarlington.co.uk/Mediainterview.html
List of tips for conducting a radio or TV interview.
How to Do a News Interview
Assessment Reform Network, FairTest
http://www.fairtest.org/how-do-news-interview
Suggestions for before and during a news interview.
Effective Media Interview Techniques
American College of Emergency Physicians
http://www.acep.org/Advocacy/Effective-Media-Interview-Techniques/
Although this website's audience is emergency physicians, the description of interview basics can be used in any field.
ISSUE: How do I write a proposal and abstract to present at a conference?
Conference Proposals and Abstracts
Claremont Graduate University Writing Center, Student Resources
http://www.cgu.edu/pages/865.asp
Guidelines for formulating and presenting a conference proposal or abstract and sample conference proposals.
Presenting at NSTA Conventions
National Science Teachers Association
http://www.nsta.org/conferences/sessions.aspx
Go to the “What are the Criteria for Rating Proposals?” section for criteria the program committee uses when evaluating proposals.
How to Write a Winning Abstract
Abilene Christian University
http://www.acu.edu/academics/honors/WritinganAbstract.pdf
Advice on writing the abstract for a proposal.
How to Write a Paper or Conference Proposal Abstract
Karen Kelsky, Ph.D.
http://theprofessorisin.com/2011/07/12/how-tosday-how-to-write-a-paper-abstract/
This website breaks down the process of writing an abstract into six main chunks, and then helps the reader move from idea to completion.
ISSUE: How do I read my audience?
Reading the Audience: Are You Sending Them to Sleep?
Presentation Helper
http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk/reading_the_audience.htm
Twelve signs that the audience is not listening and tips for how to spot if the audience is listening.
The Other Half of the Presentation: Your Audience
Jim Endicott, Presentation Helper
http://www.presentationmagazine.com/the-other-half-of-a-presentation-your-audience-7711.htm
The importance of tailoring your presentation to your audience and reading the audience during the presentation.
Reading Your Audience
Karl Walinskas, Intercom, December 2001, Society for Technical
Communication
http://www.smarteruniversity.com/sta/articleref/bodlan/bodlan46.asp
A short article exploring audience cues, what they mean, and how to adjust your presentation accordingly.
ISSUE: How do I give effective short talks?
Some Do's and Don'ts of Giving a Good 15 Minute Talk
Scott Keogh. Australian National University School of Botany and Zoology.
http://biology.anu.edu.au/hosted_sites/Scott/how-to-give-a-good-15-minut.html
List of do’s and don’ts for giving an effective short talk.
How to Give an Effective and Powerful Short Presentation
Chris King. Powerful Presentations
http://www.creativekeys.net/PowerfulPresentations/article1072.html
Tips for dealing with the challenge of giving a short talk. Although the author refers to his experience with Toastmasters Club, the information is helpful.
The Five-Minute Presentation
Presentation Helper
http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk/fiveminute.htm
Five tips for giving a five-minute presentation.
The Seven-Minute Presentation
Presentation Helper
http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk/presentation_7_minutes.htm
Tips for giving a seven-minute presentation.
The Ten-Minute Presentation
Presentation Helper
http://www.presentationmagazine.com/the-ten-minute-presentation-7913.htm
Tips for giving a ten minute presentation.
ISSUE: How do I make my presentation more motivational and engaging?
How To Give A Talk: Better Academic Speaking in a Nutshell
Mark Clark and Paul N. Edwards, Society for the History of Technology
http://www.cs.ucsb.edu/~mturk/Misc/HowToTalk.htm
An extensive article on the principles of an effective talk. Provides a lot of information about ensuring that a presentation is engaging and motivational.
Public Speaking and Conferences
Online Women’s Business Center, Small Business Administration,
1997
http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/operating/marketing/publicspeaking.html
This article describes the characteristics of good public speakers and provides tips for getting ready, giving the presentation, using visual aids, and Q&A sessions.
Presentation Skills
Big Dog's Leadership Page, 1998
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadpres.html
Tips for engaging presentations as well as advice about voice, body language, and habits.
ISSUE: How do I make myself more comfortable and confident before a presentation?
Presentation Skills
Big Dog's Leadership Page, 1998
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadpres.html
Go to the “Nerves” section for tips on becoming more comfortable before and during a presentation.
Present for Success: Simple Strategies to Add Confidence and Credibility
to Your Next Presentation
Dana Bristol-Smith, Business Know-How
http://www.businessknowhow.com/growth/presentscs.htm
Simple strategies for building confidence and credibility with your audiences. Includes tips for overcoming nervousness and projecting confidence during a presentation.
Dealing With Speech Anxiety: Some Tips for Using Anxiety in Your Favor
Jonathan Hess, University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004
http://teacherleadership.edc.org/docs/SpeechAnxiety.doc
List of 21 suggestions for managing speech anxiety.
Disclaimer:
The Web resources collected on these pages are not maintained by Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), nor does EDC make the claim that they are accurate. As with all Web-based information, links change from time to time. To our knowledge, all links were functional as of October 2013. Please notify Kerry Ouellet at kouellet@edc.org if you experience any problems.
