Introduction
A presentation is a type of communication in which an individual conveys information using slides that could contain text or visual messages. It is worth noting that a presenter’s appearance and language determine how well the message is received (Mehta, 2020). Therefore, it is crucial to establish rapport by starting off the presentation with attention-getters. To maintain the audience’s concentration, there should be a good flow of information from one slide to the other, and the presentation should be terminated appropriately.
Topic Overview
Generally, the topic of effective presentation skills covers all aspects of in-person and virtual presentations. In many education forums, in-person presentation is used to communicate ideas and receive constructive feedback. Understanding the elements of a good presentation and the types of presentation is vital for flawless communication. This topic also involves a thorough understanding of the presentation techniques and how they can be applied in different contexts. Lastly, the barriers to an excellent presentation and the best ways to end a presentation are outlined.
Attention-getters
The way a presentation starts determines whether the audience will be interested in it or not. Therefore, catching the audience’s attention is a vital skill. By asking a question, the presenter may get the audience thinking and motivated to learn (Curran-Everett, 2019). Other attention-getters include stories and quotes from famous personalities. In addition, one may start by applying emotional appeals and citing the audience’s profession to attract their attention. Through these methods, people would be motivated to listen or watch the presentation.
Audience Overview
The audience characteristics are the most important elements in a presentation because they determine the presentation style and thereby influence the relationship between the presenter and the audience. Luciana (2021) notes that the audience’s culture defines their level of perception and influences the choice of presentation techniques. For a presenter communicating with students, the most appropriate language would be formal, while a non-formal tone would be used when addressing older adults. In essence, the opening, transition, and concluding techniques should be appealing to the audience.
Effective Presentation Techniques
Connect with the Audience
The thought of standing before a large group can be frightening at times, creating anxiety and nervousness, which could hamper the audience’s ability to connect with the speaker. According to Mehta (2020), presenters should always be honest with themselves and project their confidence through an organized presentation. Essentially, they should be led by their passion for the subject at hand. However, the speaker should also identify with the current events and situations, increasing the relevance of their presentation.
Focus on the Audience’s Needs
In essence, a speaker is guided by the current needs of their audience. Therefore, the presentation should be focused on giving solutions. Notably, culture determines the listeners’ needs (Luciana, 2021). For instance, students would be interested in scholarly information, while professionals would be focused on data-driven or evidence-based information. This gives direction to the presentation, enabling the speaker to offer solutions to the problems at hand (Curran-Everett, 2019). In summary, a presenter should only focus on what the audience needs to know and avoid irrelevant details.
Keep it simple
In many cases, a speaker may be tempted to use complex words hoping to appear more knowledgeable. However, a presentation should be guided by the main goal of communicating useful information. Therefore, presenters should ensure that every individual listening to them comprehends the topic presented. Mehta (2020) asserts that simple words create coherence and minimize the probability of error. Long and complicated presentations would lower the audience’s concentration span. Lastly, simplicity saves time by reducing the need for lengthy explanations.
Start Strong
Although the audience may be so interested in a topic, the starting point determines how the rest of the presentation is perceived. Setting the momentum is, therefore, an essential step in presentations. Notably, listeners judge the value of a presentation at the beginning and set their minds accordingly. Curran-Everett (2019) points out that presenters should start off by introducing themselves to create audience rapport. Through stories, quotes and questions, a speaker may keep the audience focused from the beginning.
Maintain Eye Contact
Eye contact is one of the features that distinguish in-person presentations from virtual seminars. The connection between an audience and the presenter is so vital that a speaker has to establish it through all available means. Eye contact entails the speaker’s focus on the audience. This aspect shows that the presenter is confident and eliminates doubt (Mehta, 2020). Essentially, the audience is made to concentrate, reducing the probability of dozing off. It may also motivate the listeners to participate through questions.
Visual Communication
In many cases, especially in educational presentations, the speakers are required to use visual representations. Notably, some technical data can best be understood through graphical representations. Therefore, a presenter should check the topic of the presentation and the audience and prepare accompanying visuals to enhance communication. Mehta (2020) notes that visuals are beneficial as they reduce the time required for explanations. In social studies, visuals may help the listeners to connect with the information and relate it to contemporary issues.
Involve the Audience in the Presentation
Although a presenter may be the main speaker, presentations are not supposed to be monologues. They are supposed to be interactive as both the audience and the speaker are involved in raising points for each other’s understanding. It is important to note that a speaker may gain from audience participation through constructive feedback and questions that motivate them to conduct further research. According to Mehta (2020), every presentation is a performance that should be well-planned and executed to everyone’s satisfaction.
Use Appropriate Language
In-person and virtual presentations are both dependent on the language chosen. In many cases, the audience may be comprised of individuals from different age groups and ethnical backgrounds. Therefore, the speaker should focus on language that allows all listeners to follow the topic and ask for clarification where necessary. It is essential to avoid gender-sensitive communication and remain neutral (Curran-Everett, 2019). Lastly, the written part of communication should be grammatically correct because any grammatical errors may imply that the speaker is incompetent.
Master the Content
Apart from having good verbal and non-verbal communication skills, a presenter should demonstrate a good mastery of presented topics. Notably, speakers are thought to be teachers who should fully understand their topics (Mehta, 2020). Therefore, rehearsing the presentation beforehand may help the presenter to familiarize themself with the content and note areas of improvement. Although no individual can have a complete understanding of any topic, it would be important to have sufficient knowledge of all aspects of the topic presented.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an excellent presentation requires a strong start, appropriate language and transitions, and a good ending. Creating a rapport with the listeners is an important skill that determines audience perception and influences their levels of participation. The appearance and language are important aspects that may hinder audience concentration. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that relevant visuals are used to simplify communication and save time. Lastly, presenters should maintain eye contact throughout the presentation and conclude with a note of thanks.
References
Curran-Everett, D. (2019). Every presentation is a performance. Advances In Physiology Education, 43(4), 519-521.
Luciana, O. (2021). The Show and Tell or Deliver the Presentation strategies: which is effective more? Jurnal Pendidikan: Riset dan Konseptual, 5(3), 358-362. Web.
Mehta, N. (2020). Effective Podium Presentation is More Than Showing Power Point Slides. Effective Medical Communication, 91-98.