Designing and Performing Writing (Chs. 16-18)

17e Delivering the presentation

17eDelivering the presentation

Contents:

Video Prompt: Presentation is performance

Experienced speakers always expect to feel at least some anxiety before delivering a presentation—and they develop strategies for dealing with it. Remember that a little nervousness can act to your advantage: adrenaline, after all, can help you perform well.

Having confidence in your own knowledge will go a long way toward making you a confident presenter. In addition to doing your homework, however, you may be able to use the following strategies to good advantage:

Consider how you will dress and how you will move around. In each case, your choices should be appropriate for the situation. Most experienced speakers like to dress simply and comfortably for easy movement. But dressing up a little signals your pride in your appearance and your respect for your audience.
Go over the scene of your presentation in your mind, and think it through completely, in order to feel more comfortable during it. In addition, check out the presentation room and double-check to make sure you have all the equipment you might need.
If you are using handouts (of bibliographies or slide notes, for example), decide when to distribute them. Unless they include material you want your audience to use while you speak, distribute them after the presentation.
Get some rest before the presentation, and avoid consuming too much caffeine.
Try to relax while you wait to begin. You might want to do some deep-breathing exercises.

If possible, stand up for your presentation. Most speakers make a stronger impression standing than sitting. Move around the room if you are comfortable doing so. If you are more comfortable in one spot, then keep both feet flat on the floor. If you are behind a lectern, rest your hands lightly on it. Many speakers find that this stance keeps them from fidgeting.

Pause before you begin your presentation, concentrating on your opening lines. During your presentation, interact with your audience as much as possible. You can do so by facing the audience at all times and making eye contact as often as possible. You may want to choose two or three people to look at and “talk to,” particularly if you are addressing a large group. In any case, make sure you are looking at your audience during the entire presentation, not at your laptop or at the screen behind you. Allow time for the audience to ask questions. Try to keep your answers short so that others may participate in the conversation. When you conclude, remember to thank your audience.