Course topics:

1. Introduction: good and bad presentations (examples)
2. Preparation 1: verbal communication – communication style: vocabulary, phrasing, choosing words (imagery – similes, metaphors etc.), using foreign expressions / technical terms, speech defects. Voice – voice modulation: vocal inflections, voice volume, rate of speech, role of pauses.
3. Preparation 2: nonverbal communication – appearance, postures, using physical space, gestures, facial expressions, the role of eye-contact. How to master stage-fright. Prepare for the audience.
4. Structure of oral presentations.
5. Planning the slides 1: font types, font size, effects of colours, animations, choosing background, using templates, arranging elements.
6. Planning the slides 2: informative presentation of statistics – tables and diagrams, editing pictures.
7. Beyond PowerPoint: other presentation techniques (Prezi)

Students give two presentations during the semester. First they present in pairs. Both members have to take part not only in the presentation (slide-show) making process but also in the oral presentation in front of the group. With forced pairing a workplace situation can be imitated where coworkers cannot be chosen. The topic is also given. In the second case students can choose their own topic and make presentations individually.

Aims:

The aim of the course is to help students to give interesting and well-structured presentations in order to get and keep the audience’s attention. It also helps to strengthen their self-confidence in public speaking and develop their cooperation skills due to presenting in pairs. Students will be able to use the technical opportunities (software) but learn not to depend on them.

Atkinson, Cliff (2011): Beyond bullet points (3rd ed.). Microsoft Press

Reynolds, Garr (2012): Presentationzen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (2nd ed.) Berkley, CA: New Riders

Weissman, Jerry (2008): Presenting to win. New Jersey: FT Press