Preparation: 

• Understand the purpose of your presentation – what are the most important points to convey and why 
• Acquire maximum familiarity with the material you are presenting 
• Produce notes that condense the information into bullet points on cue cards 
• Rehearse your delivery with a friend / relative / mirror 

 
Delivery: 

• Grab the audience attention with an interesting, informative opening statement. 
• Control your audience and be clear how they should be responding at different moments – reading, listening, laughing applauding etc 
• Be enthusiastic and convey confidence in what you are offering 

• Speak reasonably loudly and enunciate clearly  
• Make eye contact with your whole audience as much as possible 
• Be dramatic – vary the tone, pace and emphasis 
• Pace your talk at a speed that can be understood easily 
• Position yourself in a central way and adopt a confident posture 

• Use movement and gesture to add emphasis and interest 
• Avoid being distracted from the main thrust of your talk 
• Pause when appropriate 
• Ensure your speech ends with a summary of your main points. 

You can also download a copy of the Self-Assessment Skills diagram here.