Introduction to Presentation Skills | Rick Ferguson

• Presentations can be professional, engaging, and memorable

Looking at the following in a presentation:

• Behaviour
• Structure
• Content

Why would you like to improve your presentation skills?

• As part of PPP so I can successfully complete that part of the module, as well as any required presentations, briefings, or pitches I may need to deliver in future.

BEHAVIOUR

Three ways we communicate:

• How we say the words
• Non-verbal (body language)
• The words we use

...body language and the way we carry ourselves is arguably the most important.


• When speaking, we can alter our pitch, volume that we speak at, and the speed

• Don't rely on crutch words (er, okay, right, um, y'know...). Instead, use pauses to emphasise certain words or phrases

• Appropriate eye contact

• Be aware of tics or gestures which we may rely on. Instead, use gestures that reinforce the words you are saying

STRUCTURE

• Bookending - introducing something at the start of the presentation and returning to it at the end. Could be a picture, idea, quotation, story, anecdote...

• Power of 3 - using clusters of 3 things in a speech because it tends to be more memorable. Usually in a sentence, quote, or story. ("I came, I saw, I conquered...")

Example:• Introduction (bookend 1)
• First section
• Second section
• Third section
• Conclusion (bookend 2)

CONTENT

• Head ( where, what, how)
• Heart (why, who, who else)

Logical levels:

1. Environment
2. Behaviour
3. Skills + capabilities
4. Values + beliefs
5. Identity
6. Mission

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For the sessions after easter...

Prepare and practice a short (1.5 - 2.5 minute) presentation about you.
Consider: Behaviour, structure, content

Work on over the next 3 weeks, practice....