Preparation

• Show up for meetings with your group
• Find a creative way to work as a group and present as a group (draw connections)
• Communicate with each other—everyone should know what everyone else is doing
• Make outlines and share them with each other
• Rehearse, and time each part of the presentation
• Peer edit material

• Prioritize—select the most important information you need to convey (two or three main points)
• Give your audience a context (with generalizations) but also give them substance (with specificity)
• Make abstractions concrete with specific examples (illustrate your points)
• Don’t repeat yourself—or your colleagues—needlessly: aim for diversity in information
• Relate the parts of the presentation to the whole group and program

• Use visual aids appropriately
• Make sure they relate to the content
• Make them large enough to be seen
• Synchronize them with your delivery
• Explain visuals
• Make sure they add to what you are saying
• Use a handout if your outline is complex or you have significant quotes you want the audience to analyze

• Choose an organizing principle for your presentation (for example, chronology)
• Include diverse elements in your presentation—spice it up!
• Be creative, and make sure your creativity helps us learn about your topic

• Interact with audience (use eye contact, Q&A, etc.)
• Provide an introduction and conclusion for each presentation and for the group as a whole
• Use humor when appropriate
• Decide when it is best to speak extemporaneously from notes, and when it is best to read from a text
• Usually, it is better to read from notes—doing so helps engage your audience

• Speak clearly and loudly and at a good pace (not too fast, not too slow)
• Don’t speak in a monotone—vary your tone, pace, and volume
• Stand with poise; move around when appropriate, but avoid distracting movement
• Don’t try to do too much—be selective and prioritize!

• Show you care—ask questions of presenters, stay alert, etc.