How to get started with presentations
what is this topic about?
This course is designed to introduce you to presenting at university. If you are starting an undergraduate degree, this may be one of the first opportunities you will have had to present, and although this may seem a little daunting, it is a great chance for you to attain good marks and show off your subject knowledge! Presentations are used as a form of assessment at university as they can assess several different attributes, including; communication skills, organisational skills, the ability to explain difficult topics, your understanding and knowledge of a subject area, team working skills - if it is a group presentation - and computer skills if you are required to use PowerPoint or other computer programmes to create your presentation.
Of all the assessments you will have at university, including essays and exams, presentation skills will be the most 'transferable', that is, a skill that you can transfer to a job. In the vast majority of jobs you will not be asked to write an essay or take an exam but in many jobs you will be asked to present. For this reason it is worth honing your presentation skills while you are at university.
when you've done this topic, you'll be able to:
- define the steps involved in planning a presentation
- recognise that the audience is the most important part of a presentation
- recognise that every presentation should tell a story
- appreciate how good visual aids can enhance your presentation
- recognise the impact that both verbal and non-verbal communication can make to your presentation
- appreciate the difference between reading and speaking during your presentation
- list the attributes your assessor will be looking for during your presentation
who should do this topic?
This course is aimed at university students but is suitable for anyone who would like to deliver a presentation. If you want to know more about how to create and deliver a presentation, you may wish to complete the 'creating a presentation' course.
how long will this topic take?
This topic will take approximately an hour for you to complete. You can use the topic navigation box to jump to the pages that will be most helpful to you, or you can start at the beginning and work through the whole topic - it's entirely up to you.
what do I need to know before I do this topic?
No previous presentation experience is required to complete this course. You don't need to be about to deliver a presentation as this course simply covers the principles of presenting.
do I need any equipment or resources to do this topic?
For some of the activities in this topic, you'll need a pen and paper.
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