Presentations

[yankeefan7723]

So in History we were assigned projects a few weeks back and we could choose partners. On Monday we present. My partner and I are doing a PowerPoint presentation with a poster board. Kinda nervous about it considering I only know a few people in that class. I don't want to go up there and try to act goofy and embarrass myself. Any advice on how to suppress the nervousness and get through this thing?

[The Madness.]

Just take a deep breath and walk up there with your head held high. Don't really pay attention to the people in the room, I mean, look around at them so you get the eye contact, but don't specifically LOOK at them, or concentrate on them. Just act like your saying the presentation to yourself, but louder. I hope it turns out alright. :)

[MisterAndrews]

Here it is: Adam's guide to presenting to a class!


A good presentation needs to be planned well. Make sure you know who is talking about each topic that you're covering. Write out what you want to say in note form, either typed on paper or on little flash cards, almost like a lesson plan. Stick to the plan as best you can!

I always pick 3 people in the room: one on the left, one on the right, one in the middle and look at them as I present, until I'm confident enough to look at everyone. Try to look at people lots, especially the people who look engaged as this will calm you down. If you are asking your audience questions, deliver them to the people who look disengaged; doing so will make them listen.

Remember that when you are presenting, you are in charge of the room. Don't sink back into a corner, or behind your poster, because people will sense that you're not really in control and won't listen to you. Hold yourself up straight and speak clearly.

Remember that "death by powerpoint" is bad. You should not type EVERY word onto one, only keywords and phrases. People should be listening to you: they won't be if they are too busy reading your powerpoint.

Good luck!

[yankeefan7723]

Here it is: Adam's guide to presenting to a class!


A good presentation needs to be planned well. Make sure you know who is talking about each topic that you're covering. Write out what you want to say in note form, either typed on paper or on little flash cards, almost like a lesson plan. Stick to the plan as best you can!

I always pick 3 people in the room: one on the left, one on the right, one in the middle and look at them as I present, until I'm confident enough to look at everyone. Try to look at people lots, especially the people who look engaged as this will calm you down. If you are asking your audience questions, deliver them to the people who look disengaged; doing so will make them listen.

Remember that when you are presenting, you are in charge of the room. Don't sink back into a corner, or behind your poster, because people will sense that you're not really in control and won't listen to you. Hold yourself up straight and speak clearly.

Remember that "death by powerpoint" is bad. You should not type EVERY word onto one, only keywords and phrases. People should be listening to you: they won't be if they are too busy reading your powerpoint.

Good luck!

Thank you, sir. I guess it's more of a confidence and stage fright thing. I have no problem with a large crowd, but when it's a room of like 15-20 people silent and listening to me I get nervous. Last night I was thinking about it, listening to some music and I actually WANTED to do it. Now I'm worried again. lol

I'm just like thinking about setting up the PowerPoint presentation and it being awkward. Sticking the USB in my teacher's computer, looking for the file, etc. Maybe I'm just over thinking things a little. Once I get up there and start going I'll be fine. Plus I have a partner to lean on. Although he doesn't speak much and kinda mumbles. I should have picked my one friend who's a class clown. I wouldn't be this nervous, but because of who my partner is I feel like I'm going to have to carry him.

[MisterAndrews]

Well, at the end of the day, if the presentation is good then it doesn't matter who carried who. Teachers are surprisingly good at working out who has actually done the work and who is just "reading it out".

And, try to go first, then you can put your memory pen into the computer while the class is coming in.

[yankeefan7723]

Well, at the end of the day, if the presentation is good then it doesn't matter who carried who. Teachers are surprisingly good at working out who has actually done the work and who is just "reading it out".

And, try to go first, then you can put your memory pen into the computer while the class is coming in.

Yeah, I figured we should go first. Even if it's a little awkward at first, once we're done we're done. Then we can sit back and watch others. Eventually people won't even remember our presentation.