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• NCEA on TKI
• NZQA website

3.6 Construct and deliver an oral presentation

Presentation techniques

Use meaningful presentation techniques and activities to support your content and help illustrate specific points clearly. Choose techniques you are comfortable using, have the resources to prepare, and are able to practise. You need to be confident using each technique and be certain it is the most effective way of getting your message across.

Select and integrate some of these presentation techniques in your seminar:

• overhead transparency – used to display or record information or static image
• PowerPoint presentation – used as a reference for audience and presenter throughout the seminar
• video footage – a short sample used to illustrate or demonstrate a point
• poster – diagram or map to give a visual reference
• photocopied handout – to give information or as an activity
• reference book display – visual prop and selected quotations may read
• whiteboard presentation – used to record information, outline of seminar
• flip chart – prepare it in advance and refer to when appropriate
• data show – for illustrating a sequence of events or changes over time
• props – something to feel, smell, taste, touch to add interest.

Try to integrate your techniques and technology by including, interacting, using, and/or referring to the technique during your presentation to help you get your message across.

Scroll to page 8 of "Say It On Texts" (Word 187KB) for examples of presentation techniques.

Dramatic techniques such as role play, impersonation, or improvisation could be used to describe or present examples of language techniques from your topic.

Group activities such as a question and answer time, worksheet, or class brainstorm require careful and thorough preparation. When presenting an activity make your instructions clear (no more than three short directions) and make the end product or reason clear to your group.

Tips for using presentation techniques

• Vary the pace and focus by having different activities, questions, quizzes, and interactive material to keep your audience involved.
• Always consider how your audience will react.
• Have an alternative plan if your questions are too difficult.
• Get a friend to help you with presentation activities such as role play and rehearse with them.
• If using the whiteboard, practise the size and style of your writing and write on board before you begin your seminar.
• Control the use of props and video so they enhance your message not distract the audience.
• Don't over use fillers and tag questions such as 'you know', 'um', and 'okay?'

See:

• Effective Presentations (scroll through slide show for tips on how to use different techniques).
• Timing and Rehearsing for tips on using PowerPoint.

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