Presentations: getting ready to speak in public

Do you have to give a presentation as part of an assignment? How do you feel about speaking in front of a group of people? Public speaking can be daunting for a lot of people, but here are a few hints that may help you feel better prepared and less nervous.

Know your topic: it is important to be familiar with the topic of your presentation so that you can feel confident to speak about it and answer questions. Reading your slides, or reading from notes, is not very engaging for the audience. Use your slides to state your core points but tell your audience about any supporting information or examples. They could read your slides at home; if people have turned up at your presentation it is because they want to hear what you have to say!

Rehearse: as well as knowing your topic, it is very helpful to know how you sound before you stand in front of an audience. Even if it feels odd, practice your speech aloud. Consider how you appear to an audience: are you shy and mumbling or are you confident and clear? Time yourself to ensure that you can fit the whole presentation into the time allowed. Rushing the end of your presentation, or running over-time, makes a poor impression.

Know the environment: always turn up early to ensure that the room is organised in the way you want it to be. Ensure your laptop/USB/projector works in that room; if you need sound, ensure that there are speakers. Solve any technical difficulties before your audience arrive.



Every Presentation Ever: Communication FAIL! from Growing Leaders on Vimeo.

Need to book a PC?

Do you have an hour or two between lectures?  Why not book a library PC instead of queuing for one?
You can book from any PC, including the dedicated booking PC near the library desk.

(1) Go to the library catalogue and click on Book A PC - From Your PC

(2) Sign in using your name and network password

 

(3) This is the booking screen.  Current PC bookings show up in blue.  Future bookings show up in red.  To book a PC, double-click in an available time slot.

 

(4) Select the time for which you want to book the PC.

 

(5) Your booking will show up in yellow.

 If you have any questions, contact us at the library desk or email LibraryInfo@itb.ie