Five keys to successful oral presentations

Bradley Dilger, 20 Feb 2007

These notes should help you develop your own extemporaneous presentations: recall what I said and compare it to these notes. (Not to mention taking the advice I give here!) I’m happy to discuss this content with you at any time.

1. Content
   • have some
   • know it cold
   • fit the audience in terms of technical needs
   • prepare visuals and handouts if you have time AND if situation warrants
2. Signposting
   • use numbers, next, etc. to have audience follow along
   • also helps YOU follow along
   • most important part of shift from written to oral: don't read a paper
3. Brevity
   • Never go over on time
   • Sacrifice development of points rather than points themselves
   • If end early, that’s OK: questions; but not too early (66% of time or more)
4. Ending
   • Not a conclusion which is crap! Ending: finality.
   • Lannon has good suggestions for this
   • Can be new, further research, call to action. Related to content.
5. Practice
   • always!
   • “feel” way through talk like remembering place in a book
   • critical for time, meaning, transitions