Designing and Performing Writing

Analyzing your assignment, purpose, and audience for presentations

Begin preparing for a class presentation as soon as you get the assignment. Think about how much time you have to prepare; how long the presentation is to be; whether you will use written-out text or note cards or some other kind of cue; what kind of slides, posters, handouts, or other materials you may need; and what equipment you will need.

If you are making a group presentation, you will need time to divide duties and practice. Make sure that you understand the criteria for evaluation—how will the presentation be graded or assessed?
Consider the purpose of your presentation. Are you to lead a discussion? teach a lesson? give a report? engage a group in an activity?
Also consider the audience. If your instructor is a member of the audience, what will he or she expect you to do—and do well? What do audience members know about your topic? What opinions do they already hold about it? What do they need to know to follow your presentation and perhaps accept your point of view? If your presentation will be posted online, how much can you know about the audience? In a webinar format, you may have a list of all participants, but in other settings you may not be able to know who your words will reach. In these cases, you may want to shape or limit the audience who will have access to your presentation.
Finally, consider your own stance toward your topic and audience. Are you an expert? A novice? A well-informed observer? A peer?

Video Prompt: If I were in the audience

Tutorial: Presentations