Abstract Checklist

After writing the abstract, set it aside. Then answer the following questions:

• Is the typeface too small?

• Are there any errors in spelling or grammar?

• Is the abstract limit respected?

• Is the expression of ideas as clear as it can be?

• Is the organisation of the abstract clear and tight?

• Does the title highlight the main point?

• Would I want to hear this paper?

• Would anyone else want to hear this paper?

Structuring the presentation

It is very important to structure your talk. It facilitates both speaking and listening. The two parts of your presentation that will probably need the most attention are the introduction and conclusion. Both are, of course, very important to a successful written report but even more important in an oral presentation.

Introduction

The beginning of a presentation is the section that the audience take particular note of, as their level of concen­tration is high. If you confuse them , lose them or bore them at the beginning, you will probably not be able to get them back.

Audience always want to be sure who the speakers are. Make sure that you introduce yourself at the beginning of your talk. Then give your subject, and explain the structure of your presentation. Many people start with a formula like Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is … The topic of my talk is/I’m going to talk about …

The following cliches may also be of some help to you: First of all I’ll begin with, I’d like to start with/by; Then I’ll move on, next, then I’ll turn to; Finally, ….My main points are…

Start positively. Too many presentations begin in a hesitant, even apologetic, way, so that the audience start to lose confidence before speaker has said very much.

Audiences like to feel involved. So, address them directly with the pronoun ‘you’, it will help to make them feel part of the occasion and so listen more attentively.

While structuring your presentation be aware of the so called “low point”. As the presentation proceeds, the level of audience’s concentration is likely to fall, and about two-thirds of the way through, it reaches its low point. To revive the audience’s attention you might use some pow­erful visual aids. A small but useful tech­nique is to ask the audience a question and then answer it yourself: it will help the audience to concentrate, but before they get really worried, the answer is given by the speaker.

The conclusion

Towards the end of the presentation, there's a moment when a high level of attention can be reached again, provided that the audience know the speaker is drawing to a close. When you say, 'Finally', or 'In conclusion' they suddenly realise that if they don't concentrate now, they will have lost the end of the talk, and so for a few moments, you have a high level concentration once more. Don't waste this opportunity. Think back to your key message, the point you most want them to remember, and say it again in a slightly different way. When you reach the end, simply pause, thank the audience for listening and ask for questions. Your close should bring the talk to an effective end and you must leave a good final impression.