Structure
Oral presentations have a very similar structure to essays and reflection papers: introduction, body and conclusion. However, there are significant differences in the way each of these is presented to listeners (rather than readers). Listening to a speech is far more demanding than reading text.
Here are some tips to help you prepare each part of your oral presentation.
Introduction
- capture the attention and goodwill of your audience, perhaps with
an arresting quote or statement
- state the topic or aim of the presentation (e.g., ‘today I will
discuss streaming in primary school classrooms’)
- give any relevant background, concisely
- give the listener a plan of what is to be discussed (e.g., 'I will first consider two points in favour of streaming, and then consider two points against’).
Body
- develop each point according to the plan
- include no more than four main points, as your listener will have
trouble assimilating more
- clearly signpost each point so your audience has a sense of structure (firstly; secondly). This is needed more frequently and more emphatically than in essays; the listener cannot ‘see’ when a new point begins.
Conclusion
- announce very clearly to the listener that the talk is finishing:
‘In conclusion’ (again, there is no room for subtlety: the
listener will not be able to 'see' that it is the conclusion)
- restate the main points
- evaluate the importance of the information
- draw a strong conclusion.
