STRUCTURING AND DELIVERING YOUR PRESENTATION
Having worked out your key message and main points, the next stage is to structure the
content of your presentation. Just like other forms of academic writing, a presentation can be
divided into three parts: an introduction detailing the purpose and structure of the talk; a body
covering the main points; and a conclusion summarising and highlighting the significance of
your talk. A template for your talk is given in the Presentations structure document.
Introduction
You may wish to capture the audience’s interest and attention with a story or commentary on
a current development that raises an important question / problem / dilemma. Or, you may
first wish to frame your talk with brief context / background, and then swiftly transition into a
concise explantion of the issue / problem or debate that your key message addresses. In either
case, the next step in your introduction is to clearly state the purpose or key message of the
talk, for example using the following prompts.
‘Today I would like to talk about a highly contested issue...’
‘This question is central to understanding...’
‘I will make the case that...’
If necessary, limit the scope of the presentation:
‘Although there are several theories, this talk will only focus on two ...’
‘focuses only on the private sector as opposed to the public sector ...’
‘Implementation, rather than policy formation, will be considered ...’
Signpost the structure/approach of the talk:
‘My case is based on three main points. Firstly...The second point is that...This will then lead
me to...Finally...’
Body
This part of the talk provides the support for your main message. You should discuss each of
your main points in a clear and logical order. As you do, be sure to explain how these points
relate to each other and your key message:
‘Turning to the next point...’
‘Another important consideration is that...’
‘Having examined...I’d now like to talk about...’
All necessary concepts and terms need to be defined and explained before being used.
Examples can be used to effectively illustrate your points.
Conclusion
Signpost that you have reached the end of the talk:
‘In conclusion...’
‘I’d like to finish by...’
Summarise the key points covered. In the process, remind the audience of the significance of
the topic, the aims of your talk and demonstrate how you have met the aims. Thank the
audience for their attention and invite them to comment or ask questions.
Acknowledging others ideas
As with all academic work, if you use other people’s ideas, images, data etc, then you must
appropriately acknowledge it in your presentation. You do this through your spoken words or
supply references on your visual aids. In text references can be kept brief to enable the
audience to read. You should also include a reference list slide at the end of your presentation.
See referencing resources for more iinformation
How To Make A Good
Opening In Presentation
Opening In PresentatiThe opening moment of your presentation has enormous power – it’s
your chance to make a lasting impression and captivate your audience.
A strong start to a presentation acts as a beacon, distraction and immediately grabs your
listener’s attention. With so much content competing for focus, a captivating opening ensures
your message stands out and resonates with your audience.
Let’s dive into some important tips on how to start a presentation speech to help you master
the art of starting off successfully:
Understand your audience
The key to a compelling introduction is knowing your audience inside and out and giving
your audience what they want. Tailor your opening to align with their specific interests,
needs, and expectations. Consider what will captivate them and how you can make your
presentation relevant to their life or work.
Use a compelling hook
Grab the audience’s attention from the get-go with a compelling hook. Whether it’s a
thought-provoking question, a surprising fact or a gripping story, a powerful opening will
immediately pique their curiosity and keep them invested in what you have to say.
State your purpose
Be crystal clear about your subject matter and the purpose of your presentation. In just a few
sentences, communicate the main objectives and the value your audience will gain from
listening to you. Let them know upfront what to expect and they’ll be more likely to stay
engaged throughout.
Introduce yourself and your team
Give a self introduction about who you are such as your job title to establish credibility and
rapport with the audience.
Some creative ways to introduce yourself in a presentation would be by sharing a brief and
engaging personal story that connects to your topic or the theme of your presentation. This
approach instantly makes you relatable and captures the audience’s attention
Maintain enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is contagious! Keep the energy levels up throughout your introduction,
conveying a positive and upbeat tone. A vibrant and welcoming atmosphere sets the stage for
an exciting presentation and keeps the audience eager to hear more.
