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A handout with quick tips on oral presentations
The Overview for Effective Speaking handout is a one-pager with quick tips on oral presentations. It was created by the Oral Communication Program at the Stanford University Center for Teaching and Learning.
The handout is divided into three sections with tips on how to get started, how to draft the presentation, and how to incorporate body language into your presentation. It also compares the similarities and differences between oral and written communication.
Since the handout covers essential principals, it is helpful for students who have limited experience doing oral preservations or ones who want a quick refresher.
For more resources, visit the Stanford Hume Center for Writing and Speaking’s Speaking Resources page.
Download a PDF of the handout below or visit the Center’s website pages to see other resources on giving effective presentations.
The handout introduces the A.G.E acronym (audience, goal, and environment) as a quick reminder to reflect on what your take-aways are and how to engage your audience within the location of your presentation. Some sample questions to ask about your A.G.E. are:
Audience: To whom are you speaking? What do they know about your topic? What are their opinions about it?
Goal: What is the purpose of your talk? Define your goal (or thesis statement) in 1-2 sentences, and use this goal to guide the development of your presentation.
Environment: Where will you be speaking? What is the room like? What materials/technology will you need? How will you arrange your notes, visual aids, etc.?
Similar to a written paper, the handout points out three main sections of a spoken presentation: introduction, main points, and conclusion. In your introduction, include an attention getter and a road map of your presentation with your main take-away and information you can cut if you are low on time. Your main points should be specific, clear, and relevant. Use transitions just as you would in a written paper. Finally, your conclusion should both review your main points and leave your audience with a personal connection between your subject and their lives.
The handout introduces the A.G.E acronym (audience, goal, and environment) as a quick reminder to reflect on what your take-aways are and how to engage your audience within the location of your presentation. Some sample questions to ask about your A.G.E. are:
Audience: To whom are you speaking? What do they know about your topic? What are their opinions about it?
Goal: What is the purpose of your talk? Define your goal (or thesis statement) in 1-2 sentences, and use this goal to guide the development of your presentation.
Environment: Where will you be speaking? What is the room like? What materials/technology will you need? How will you arrange your notes, visual aids, etc.?
Similar to a written paper, the handout points out three main sections of a spoken presentation: introduction, main points, and conclusion. In your introduction, include an attention getter and a road map of your presentation with your main take-away and information you can cut if you are low on time. Your main points should be specific, clear, and relevant. Use transitions just as you would in a written paper. Finally, your conclusion should both review your main points and leave your audience with a personal connection between your subject and their lives.