What Do You Do When...

...you have to give a presentation in class?

You rock it. 

We've all been there. The nerves, the sweating, the mike in front of us looming like it's a million times bigger than it is.

So how do you handle this kind of pressure???

Take a quiz, of course!

Q&A

*You have to give a five-minute presentation about a topic of your choice (we'll pretend it's ladybugs). Do you...

A.Talk about the many kinds of ladybugs

B.Talk about invasive species

C.Tell funny jokes about a ladybug that you accidentally ate when you were three

D.Panic

Answer: You have lots of leeway when you can choose your own topic. Try not to tell jokes the whole time, as this can distract from your topic and become annoying to the audience. But because you can choose your own topic, YOU decide what to inform the audience about regarding ladybugs.

PS.: Don't panic.

*How should you stand when giving a presentation?

A.Feet planted firmly, shoulder-width apart

B.One foot in front of the other so you can rock back and forth

C.I don't stand, I prefer to sit in a chair 

D.Loosely

E.Like a rabbit about to run for cover

Answer: The best option is to have your feet shoulder-width apart, because this gives you balance and makes you look confident. If you prefer to have on foot in front of the other, to rock back on, that's fine, too; just make sure you change feet every so often, because this adds pressure to the back foot. If you are just beginning to do class presentations, try not to sit too much or at all. This is reserved for professors who already know how to get your attention. Always be loose so your legs never lock up.

P.S.: Don't panic and run for cover.

*You must give a seven-minute presentation and so far, when you timed yourself, you have only three minutes. What do you do?

A.Add lots of nonsense so your presentation is longer

B.Take really long pauses in between each point in your outline

C.Talk slowly and talk about each point, regardless of how short the sentence is 

D.Ramble

E.Panic

Answer: Talk slowly and explain each point. This forces you to slow down your brain and your mouth, and think about how each idea connects to the one before and after. Rambling about nonsense will not get you high marks, and long pauses can be awkward for audiences at times. Pause to collect your thoughts, but not so long that it is uncomfortable. 

PS.: Don't panic.

*What should you wear if giving an informal poetry presentation in class?

A.A dress/ button-up and slacks

B.Jeans and a wrinkled shirt

C.Sweats and a T-shirt 

D.Jeans and a nice causal shirt

E.Nothing. You won't be going.

Answer: Jeans and a nice shirt. Remember, this is an informal presentation, so causal clothes that look decent are okay. Dress-up clothes are for formal speeches, unless you rock them every day of the week (which is totally fine!). Sweats and wrinkled shirts are casual, but are not appropriate, since, well, everyone will be looking at you. You want to make a good impression

PS.: Don't panic. Go to your presentation. Wearing clothes.

*Which outline should I use for my presentation?

A.A handwritten outline

B.One with scribbles in the margins

C.One copy, with no headers or transitions

D.Two copies with transitions, headers, and research

E.My brain. Unless I panic.

Answer: Two copies. Two copies insures that you and the professor have an outline, so they can grade you accordingly. There are different outline formats for informative, persuasive, and narrative speeches. They all include transitions, and you need to add what research you have cited. Most of the time, you might lose your only copy and if you have it handwritten or it doesn't include research, you will not be graded well. Plus, you might be confused, because your outline won't include all your writing and notes.

PS.: Don't panic. But always use your brain.

*Should I use notecards or my outline when talking?
A.Both

B.Notecards

C.Outline

D.Neither. I get all shaky.

Answer: Both. Notecards are good for your actual presentation, so be sure to make some! Professors usually prefer notecards as well. Your outline is always good for reviewing before your speech itself, to get the flow of how it all connects.You can use one or the other, but bring both.Even if you get shaky, bring at least something. Everyone gets shaky, so if you can, maybe ask for a podium to prop your materials on.

P.S.: Everyone gets nervous. Don't panic.

I hope you enjoyed these tips and what to do when you give a speech!

---KatG


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