ENGL117: Presentation Notes

Presentations and Contentious Topics

  • If writing on a contentious topic, provide a trigger warning.
  • Students uncomfortable with the content can leave.
  • No critiquing the speaker; maintain a positive environment.
  • If presentations affect mental well-being, contact tutors.

Presentation Preparation

  • Presentations should follow the same process as essay writing.
  • Use images effectively.
  • Key points and sources are essential.
  • The presentation is worth 5% of the grade as long as a genuine attempt is made.
  • Easy 5% - create PowerPoint with images, don't overthink public speeking aspect.

Steps to a Good Presentation

  • Determine the purpose and topic.
  • Consider the audience.
  • Gather data to support points (5-6 paragraphs/points).
  • Presentations are for listeners, not readers.
  • Use images over large quotes.
  • Logically organize material.

Audience Consideration

  • What is their experience with the topic?
  • What is their general educational level?
  • What is their background and attitude to the topic?
  • What interests, concerns, fears, or objections might they have?
  • Anticipate questions and encourage constructive engagement.
  • If blindsided by a question, redirect it to the audience.
  • Remember there are two sides to presenting the speaker, and the audience.

Presenting Information

  • Provide only necessary information.
  • Avoid overwhelming the audience.
  • Extract key points from long quotes.
  • Consider handouts for further pondering (especially in higher degree levels).

Research and Library Resources

  • Book a time with a librarian for source assistance.

Presentation Checklist

  • Logical structure (introduction, main points).
  • Clarity, directness, and precision.
  • Verbal and visual elements.
  • Transitions between topics.
  • Practice to familiarize with the topic.

Presentation Delivery

  • Introduce yourself to slow down and connect with the audience but doesn't need to.
  • Develop rapport and connect eye contact can help, even though it's difficult for some.
  • Use your voice to communicate sincerity and enthusiasm.
  • Avoid monotone and project your voice.
  • Be animated but avoid over-animation that distracts.
  • Avoid reading from notes and aim to know your slides.
  • Don't memorize word for word.

Addressing Nervousness

  • Acknowledge that nervousness is normal.
  • Contact tutors if anxiety causes trauma or paralysis.
  • Ensure presentations are five minutes, and leniency if it is a little bit under.
  • Prepare for technology.
  • Submit PowerPoint to Learn.
  • Know your topic, breathe, and don't worry about mistakes.
  • Minimize stress responses, such as blushing or sweating.
  • Audience members should avoid phones and be respectful.

Listening Skills

  • Listening is an important conscious decision.
  • Recognize why it's important to listen to others.
  • Define your purpose for listening.
  • Block out distractions and screen out personal biases.
  • Help the speaker slow down if needed.
  • Take notes and offer occasional smiles.
  • Adapt to the situation.
  • Tell your own story to connect with the audience.

Narrowing Down a Topic

  • Create a thesis statement.
  • Match the topic to available sources.
  • Avoid overly broad topics.
  • Let research guide and modify the topic.
  • Build a clear case.
  • Establish your position and key points.
  • Consider how the structure might change.

Example: Rubbish in Christchurch

  • Global topic narrow down to Christchurch.
  • Earthquakes changed perception of waste.
  • Consider effects on the environment and health issues.
  • Present possible solutions.

Other Ways of Structuring Presentation

  • Comparison and contrast (with a position).
  • Cause and effect (with a position).
  • Debate to what extent does the use of tough tactics on the war on terrorism, including execution, torture, imprisonment with our trial, impinge on the justification for fighting terror?. (requires opposition).
  • Work sources together to develop your own argument.

Example: Nature at the Mall

  • Critique of neoliberalism.

Neoliberalism

  • Rule of the market, freedom for capital, goods, and services.
  • Market is self-regulating.
  • Trickle-down notion of wealth.
  • De-unionization of labor forces.
  • Removal of regulations.
  • Freedom from state/government.
  • Reduced public expenditure for social services.
  • Individualism and individual responsibility.
  • Critique: 1% owns as much wealth as 99%.

Nature at the Mall

  • Focus of research- what is going on here, nature company looking at products?. (Marketing of natural products).
  • Marketing of products in supermarkets (baby food example- children not chewing- organic? - digression).
  • Authentic nature vs selling items.
  • Malls designed to keep you there and spend money.
  • Fabricated environment with sole purpose to generate income.
  • Commodification of other cultures' natural products.
  • Cultural insensitivity.
  • Mall as a non-space. It is selling you something not real (purchased reality).
  • Critique of marketing strategies.
  • Global transcended borders.