Overview of a presentation strucutre

Here is a typical presentation structure in stages. Of course, you will need to evaluate how many points or aspects you want to present in order to talk about your main topic. And prepare visual aids or slides to accompany the information.

1) Welcome/greet the audience and introduce yourself
2) Engage the audience
3) Introduce the presentation topic (perhaps give background and
reasons why it is important/relevant)
4) Outline the main points, (in order) and indicate the time
5) Deliver the body of presentation (with sign-posting language)
6) Refer to visual aids/slides
7) Conclude; summarise, and give any final thoughts/’take home
message’
8) Thank the audience and invite questions

Your slides should be relevant and clear, but without lots of text. The slides should support or demonstrate graphically what you say or explain.
You should prepare notes for the presentation but only with the most important information to help you remember – not to read every word!

Don’t forget to speak loud enough for everyone to hear and don’t speak too quickly, even if you are nervous. Take a moment to pause between each stage to make sure your audience is paying attention and to give them time to absorb what you are saying.

See How to: use Presentation Language 1: Greeting, introduction and engaging the audience for great language tips to help you prepare for your next presentation…