Presenting Effective Lectures and Demonstrations

Goal: To develop the skills you need to effectively share your knowledge via oral presentations.

1. Why is this important?
· Growing community
· Interest in education
· A few people conduct the majority of presentation
· Many more people could present but are unsure of themselves

2. What does it take to be an effective speaker?
· Say what you believe and believe that it is important
· It helps to know what you are talking about
· An outline of your material
· Pitch your material in a manner appropriate for your audience
· Distribute useful handouts
· Involve the audience to some extent
· Finish on time

3. Assemble demonstration materials and assistants
A. Sufficient handouts for anticipated audience
B. Examples of what you plan to talk about
· One example of each type of single tail whip you describe
· First aid supplies you mention
C. Materials you will need for demonstrations
· Sufficient whips
· Simple targets with high visual impact
· Safety equipment
· First aid equipment
D. Assistants
· If the demo is complicated, bring someone you have rehearsed with
· If you need a particular reaction, bring someone you can depend on
· Use audience personnel whenever possible
· Use the maximum practical number of audience members to spread the experience

4. Pre-Presentation Preparation
A. Visit the room in advance if possible
· Will it hold the expected audience?
· Is it laid out in an effective manner? (bowling alleys are not good for demos)
· Do you have sufficient chairs, tables, lights, etc.?
· Who will ensure that the room is open on time?
B. Arrange for necessary audiovisual equipment
· If you don't give presentations often, get a microphone and amplifier
· Always ask for a screen when you request a projector
· Extension cords for projectors
· Someone to flip viewgraphs

C. Arrive sufficiently early
· Meet and greet
· Administrative details with host
· Set up demo materials
· Distribute handouts
· Use the bathroom
· Take a few quiet minutes to collect your thoughts

5. Making your presentation
A. The audience is there to hear what you have to say
B. The audience is the market - service their need
C. Talk to the audience
· Never read your own words to them
· Separate facts from beliefs
· They may be interested in what you believe, but don't tell them what they should believe - that's preaching
D. Vary your pitch
E. Make brief eye contact widely
F. Move around, but not too much or too quickly
G. Be enthusiastic - remember you believe this stuff
H. When you demo something, do it in small bits so that they follow you
I. If the audience participates, be certain that they will be successful
J. Be on the lookout for general loss of interest
K. Take breaks as necessary
L. Control questions
M. Finish on time
N. Thank the audience

6. After you are done
· Don't run away
· Spend time answering additional questions
· People will want to thank you, but are awkward about it - be gracious
· Make sure you have all your stuff when you pack up
· Don't leave potentially embarrassing materials
· Clean up any mess you make
· Thank the host - even if you busted your butt and are doing it for free
· If possible, budget time for dinner, drinks, etc. with host or others

7. Conclusion
· Make sure your presentation is responsive to audience expectations or needs
· Limit scope and depth to what will fit in allotted time
· Know what you are talking about
· Handouts are good
· Know when to stop
· Be nice

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