勛圖惇蹋

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勛圖惇蹋 College
Art History

Student Academic Resources

Oral Presentations


Oral Delivery

  • speak fluidly and audibly: an excellent delivery style helps keep your audience attentive and focused (rehearse this!)
  • emphasize key words or phrases that help your audience follow your argument; sometimes it helps to number your main points and refer to those numbers as you speak (My argument consists of three main parts色  and later My second point色)
  • make eye contact with your audience: avoid reading your presentation
  • body language counts: look assertive, alert, in control; be attentive to audience response
  • avoid distracting vocal ticks, such as repeating ah or um or like; its okay to pause and be momentarily silent
  • avoid distracting body ticks, (e.g., hair twirling)
  • dont rush! we need to think and absorb as we listen to you
  • observe any time limit you might have; practice the presentation to be sure you can deliver it without rushing: less can be more


Content

  • begin with a clear thesis: i.e., an overview of your arguments and what you will cover
  • organize your arguments carefully, so your audience can easily follow
  • present clear evidencee.g., visual, textualfor each main point
  • at the end, briefly summarize what youve demonstrated and address the so what question: why does this matter? what import does it have for art history? what exactly do you conclude?


Audience Issues

  • consider the level of expertise of your audience and pitch your presentation to that level
  • be ready to respond to audience questions; if necessary, ask people to repeat or clarify their questions for you


Visual/Technological Aspects 

  • select a reasonable number of images that directly address your points; be sure to have good quality digitals
  • judiciously combine words and images: as soon as text is projected, audiences read it (and listening drops off!), so keep it short; e.g., use key words or bullet lists rather than full sentences
  • helpful text might include brief ID labels adjacent to images; significant dates; spelling of specialized terminology, places or names; concise quotes from primary sources
  • edit carefully any text you include: avoid typos!
  • practice your presentation on a different computer from that on which you created it, in order to confirm your CD or flash drive will likely work on the classroom computer; if possible, practice in the classroom