Preparing a Presentation

There is no one good way to give a presentation. We each have our own styles and approaches and you'll want to go with something that will play to your strengths and allow you to make it your own. This guide is meant to help you get started, but do not feel the need to follow every recommendation.

3 Things To Do Before Creating Your Presentation Slides or Poster

1. Read the assignment instructions

• Be sure you understand the assignment requirements, including:
  • When is the presentation due?
  • Is there a time limit or requirement?
  • What is the purpose of the presentation? Are you summarizing an issue to inform your classmates? Or are you trying to persuade them on a particular issue?
  • Are you required to create a visual component such as a PowerPoint or Google Slides?
• Review the assignment rubric (if one is provided). This is essentially a cheat sheet that tells you what your instructor is looking for. Use it to prepare your presentation!
• If you have any questions, contact your instructor to get clarification as soon as possible.

2. Plan and outline your presentation

• What's your topic? What do you want to communicate to your audience?
• What do you already know about your topic?
• Research - What information do you need to find? See Library DIY LibGuide for research tips and strategies. *Contact the Library for help locating resources.

3. Organize your presentation

• Just like any paper or project, you need a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Decide on the key points you want to make in your presentation and keep to those.
• Limit the number of slides. It isn't a "hard and fast rule" but a good rule of thumb is one slide per minute.