[Teachldsseminary] TEACH: Presentation tips

[Marji]

These presentation tips are compiled from a business standpoint, but I
think they can equally apply to our seminary classrooms.
Marji
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10+ presentation tips to keep your audience from dozing off
Date: February 12th, 2008

All presenters want an engaged, interested, fully attentive audience.
For your message to be most effectively received, the audience must
hear it. While there are many ways to gain and maintain your
audience's attention during a presentation, getting them actively
involved in the message is the best place to start. Here are 12
tactics to get your audiences more involved in your presentation and
your message.

This information is based on the article "Twelve ways to engage your
learning audience," by Kevin Eikenberry. It's also available as a PDF
download.

#1: Ask questions designed to get a verbal response
Pick questions you know students can answer or have an opinion about.
Getting the audience to respond verbally gets and keeps their
attention focused on your message.

#2: Ask for a show of hands in response to your questions
Ask a polling question about their opinions, experiences, or needs.
Getting the audience to respond physically gets them moving and
mentally involved as well.

#3: Give them a mental picture
Use a verbal description to create an image of your situation or
solution. Using the listeners' minds in this way builds attention and
helps your message remain in their minds.

#4: Ask them to create a mental picture
Activate their minds by getting them to think of a time, event, or
example in their own life using the subject at hand. This makes your
message tangible.

#5: Give them time to talk to each other
Give them a minute to discuss a key point with a partner or to
generate questions or concerns. Working with others, especially when
they might not expect it, will refocus their attention and raise the
understanding of your presentation points.

#6: Give them a game or exercise
Pick something relevant and fun. Having fun helps people learn and understand.

#7: Repeat a word or phrase
Every time you say a certain word or phrase, have your audience say or
do something in response. This repetition combined with their
involvement drives home key points effectively.

#8: Have them talk back to you
If your key points are short and succinct (and they should always be),
ask your audience to repeat those key points back to you.

#9: Give them a "quiz"
Hesitate before key words in your sentences and encourage the group to
fill in the missing word or phrase. This keeps them on their toes and
helps them see how much they may already know about your topic.

#10: Encourage their questions
Tell people up front that their questions are welcome any time during
your presentation. And when they ask, be sure to answer. This helps
them know that you are interested in them and their problems, not just
in completing your presentation.

#11: Let them select the order of the presentation
List topics you plan to present on a flip chart and have audience
members vote on which one to cover next. Giving people some control
over the presentation builds their support for and interest in the
topics.

#12: Give them a task
Start the presentation by giving people something to do during or at
the conclusion of the presentation. By giving people a task —
something to listen for or a challenge to think about — you increase
their interest and lengthen their attention span