In oral presentations, as with many other things in life, practice makes perfect. Prepare a draft of your presentation and slides or other media far enough in advance to allow for workshopping the slides with friends or classmates—just as you would workshop an essay—and for several run-throughs. If possible, make a video of yourself, and then examine the video in detail. You can also practice in front of a mirror or in front of friends. Do whatever works for you—just as long as you practice!

If you are using slides or other visuals to accompany your presentation (and today, most students do so), make sure your use of the visuals is smooth and on track with your script. Some student speakers like to embed all visuals or slides into their scripts so that they can coordinate easily, using a clicker to advance the slides. Others prefer to use the slides to guide them through the presentation, though to do so they must know their material so well that they don’t leave awkward gaps as they move from slide to slide.

Make sure you can be heard clearly. If you are soft-spoken, concentrate on projecting your voice. If your voice tends to rise when you are in the spotlight, practice lowering your pitch. If you speak rapidly, practice slowing down and enunciating words clearly. Remember that tone of voice affects listeners, so aim for a tone that conveys interest in and commitment to your topic and listeners. If you practice with friends or classmates, ask them how well they can hear you and what advice they have for making your voice clearer and easier to listen to.

Once you are comfortable giving the presentation, make sure you will stay within the allotted time. One good rule of thumb is to allow roughly two and a half minutes per double-spaced 8½" x 11" page of text or script. The only way to be sure about your time, however, is to time yourself as you practice. Knowing that your presentation is neither too short nor too long will help you relax and gain self-confidence; and when the members of your audience sense your self-confidence, they will become increasingly receptive to your message.