Postgraduate Studies

Study Skills : Oral Presentations

Oral presentations in tutorials and seminars are a regular and important part of your work.  Such presentations have at least two functions.  They enable you to educate other students by exchanging ideas and information, and they give you the chance to learn communication skills that will be of great benefit to you after graduation.  Most employers are looking for graduates who are literate and articulate. 

There are a few basic rules you should follow when giving a presentation:

• Prepare carefully what you want to say and practise giving your presentation the night before you are due to deliver it.  Ensure that your presentation is the right length.  If your tutor has asked you to speak for ten minutes, do not prepare a presentation that lasts for five or twenty minutes.  (Pay attention to time during your presentation as well!)
• Do not read out a prepared piece of prose.  Speak from notes or use a visual aid (handout or overhead) to structure your talk. 
• Your presentation should pose a question and then provide a coherent answer.  You do not need to narrate or describe events.
• Begin your presentation by giving the audience a brief summary of the main points of your argument.
• Speak steadily and clearly.  Do not speak too quickly, because other students will be trying to take notes.  Vary the pitch of your voice and the speed of your delivery.  If you do not, you will sound monotonous and boring.
• Try to maintain some eye contact with your audience.  It is the only way for you to judge whether or not you are having an impact on your listeners.
• Bring your talk to an end by coming to a definite conclusion. (‘I guess I will stop there’ is not a definite conclusion!)

If there is something you think should be added or changed in these pages, please contact Errietta Bissa.

Postgraduate Studies

Current PGs Home

Important Dates

Our Degrees

Our Modules

Choosing Modules

Changes to your Studies

Timetable for Completion

Research Culture

Who's Who

Personal Tutors

Staff Office Hours

Study Resources

Teaching Methods

Study Skills

E-Resources & E-Learning

Assessment

Dissertations

Forms

Travel Opportunities

Summer Workshop

Visiting Lampeter