How to look confident and prepared during oral class presentation?

Answer 1

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

Read the presentation over and over until you have the majority of it memorized. Then write key words on 3 x 5 note cards and number them from 1 to 10 or whatever number you end up with. Now practice giving the talk using just the note cards to guide you so you make all your points in sequence and don't forget any. Keep the note cards in front of you on the stand and only glance at them as a reminder. Turn them over as you make your way through all the points you intend to make so your thoughts stay in sequence with the cards. Sometimes just turning them so you see the words on the next card is enough to keep you on track.
In this way, your presentation will flow smoothly and you will appear to know the material thoroughly. I took two full semesters of communication skills as part of an electronics degree and the teacher videotaped our presentations so we could see our progress. By my third presentation I was amazed at how well I did. I had always been very nervous about getting up in front of a group but that class helped me get over it. The teacher would play the video for the whole class and we each had to write a critique of it. Then she would offer to the class the good and bad points so we would know what we should avoid and what we should improve on. I got an "A" on the last three presentations from the teacher and from the classmates!

If I, the nervous one, can do that, you can too!!!

Answer 2

Make sure you don't look down at the ground or over everyone's heads. Make eye contact with various people. Make sure you know where your hands are - if your are wringing your hands, playing with your nails or rings on your fingers, it will be a sure sign you are nervous. Try to speak as level as possible without getting a frigid tone - in other words, talk as you normally would about something you are comfortable with. I don't know the type of presentation it is... is this a college or high school presentation? Also, are you allowed to have notes? If for college, you could always use a powerpoint, which would be great for charts or graphs or highlights on certain things - just make sure you don't read off of it! Usually you can let your teacher know you need a computer/projector for a powerpoint presentation with a week's notice and they will be able to get one for you. The best advice I can give you is know what you are talking about to the best of your ability. You could also give hand outs, maybe illustrations or charts, etc to be little add-ons. It will show you really took the extra step. Research it as fully as possible and be sure to take the facts you have and build from them. Knowing what you are talking about will make you more at ease and make you look confident and prepared. Good luck!

Answer 3

I have horrible anxiety issues and I made my way to college (UW-Madison). Just relax and know that whatever you say it's not gonna be really important and it can't change your life and make the rest of your life different in a few years. Keeping that in mind if you still have anxiety issues, ask your doctor for a trial of beta-blockers which erases all anxiety and makes you feel really relaxed and composed. You can take just a sample from your doctor for the day of the presentation and I know you will be just fine. I've been exactly in your place, kiddo, and if anything else, just look at your cards the whole time. You probably will just get deducted a few points but big deal you got through the speech. : )

Answer 4

Go well dressed, well prepared and well practiced.

Have 3 or more other media to support your presentation,(such as) DVD/CD;hand-outs;slide projection of your presentation well organized and use it as your support for your presentation; if it is sales - samples to show and tell (I mean, to show and describe/talk about it), if it is economical - to distribute; a board and writing materials to draw and write; then you will forget to be nervous and would be confident as you have prepared well.

You will not only look confident you will also feel confident and inspire confidence among the audience!

Answer 5

Own the material. Know it so well you own it.

Have an opinion on the material -- this will ground you in the subject and make you confident.

Accept questions or even dare to ask for them if it's out of context for the presentation. Leading a conversation is much more fun, lol.

Answer 6

Stand tall, don't hide behind a desk or podium, or your notes . Look into the room frequently, make eye contact move about a bit. Know your material, try to speak as much as you can without the use of your notes, use them only as reference and to keep your focus and direction. Make sure your report is easy to read clearly. Group different things together so that if you lose your place, it will be easy to find again. Remember the most important thing is to know the material well. And believe in your self. That will make the difference between a poor grade and a great one. Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

I would stay away from PowerPoint, if possible. BORING!

Use your hands while talking as a tool. Be animated. Ask questions of the audience and point and walk toward (if possible) the asker. Use roving eye contact. Tell them you are serious about the subject. Don't ask a question you don't already know the answer to. Tell each individual "That is a good question and I'll tell you why." Dominate.

Answer 8

Havin given quite a few presentations myself, i can say that powerpoint slides help a lot & pls don read out stuff, it sounds so boring when u do. Dress smart n b confident abt wat u say. Best of luk mate.