Giving a presentation

Alicia Cresswell
Writing Development Centre
Your oral presentation: Basic information

 Length: 15 minutes long

 Audience: Supervisor, second examiner, small group

of MSc students

 Structure:
 Introduction and overview
 Project plan including attainment targets and
timetable
Oral presentation: Marking criteria

 Presentation:
 Audibility/Use of English
 Interaction with audience
 Preparation/Time keeping
 Clarity of diagrams/Quality of slides

 Knowledge of project:
 Appreciation of the aims of the project
 Grasp of where work is leading
 Ability to answer questions
Oral presentation: Tips

 Speak clearly, audibly and at a natural pace

 Make eye contact with the audience
 Do not read from notes
 Avoid reading from slides
 Show enthusiasm and engagement with the topic
 Store PowerPoint presentation on USB memory stick
 Keep slides simple
 Check that text and figures can be seen from the
back of the room
Oral presentation: Dealing with questions

 Be clear and concise – don’t waffle!

 If you don’t understand the question, ask for the
question to be rephrased.
 If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so.
Good PowerPoint slides

How good are your PowerPoint slides?

Oxford University Press Online Resource Centre

http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199226351/01student/activities/reviewing_ppts/page_01.htm