15 Strategies for Giving Oral Presentations 15 Strategies for Giving Oral Presentations | Page 3

4. Look presentable. No need to wear a suit, but it's hard for people to take a
presentation seriously when you look like someone who just rolled out of bed.
5. Talk; don't read. Nobody enjoys seeing a speaker burying his or her face in a
script, reading stiffly from a piece of paper. Try to talk from notes, or, if you use a
written-out text, try to look down at it only occasionally. It's less important that you
capture the text word for word than that you present the main ideas in a natural
and relaxed way. (Your practice sessions should help you
here, since they enable you to better remember what
you want to say.)
6.
Take
it
slow.
The
inexperienced speakers
single
make
biggest
mistake
is going too
fast.
Remember that your audience is hearing the material for
the first time and isn't nearly as familiar with the topic as
you are.
Extra Pointer. If you find yourself running out of time, either drop or briefly
summarize any leftover material. If your presentation includes a discussion period,
gesture at the points you haven't fully covered and suggest them as things that
could be discussed later.