Giving a talk in Higher Education

1
Giving a talk in Higher Education

• Why give a talk?
• Planning your talk (individual or group)
• Delivering your talk
• Evaluating your own talk

2
Why give a talk?

• Speaking about what you know is a highly
  effective learning activity
• Talks are an integral part of academic life
• Presentation skills are highly valued by
  professions, businesses and organisations

3
Planning your talk

• Checklist
• I know the date, time and length of the talk
• I know the size of the audience and the
  facilities and accommodation available
• I know the parameters of my topic, and how to
  research it
• Im clear about the nature of my argument about
  my train of thought
• I know I know how my talk will be assessed
  what the marking criteria are

4
Giving a talk as part of a team

• Plan together, allocating preparation
  responsibilities clearly
• Meet regularly, to recap on progress and plan the
  next stage
• Ensure you all know how to use any
  equipment/visual aids
• Rehearse presenting as a team, including how you
  will introduce each other

5
Prepare thoroughly

• Think about
• Defining and researching the topic, gathering
  supporting evidence
• Structuring the talk around a few main points or
  headings, which you will emphasise (repeat) to
  your audience
• Writing brief notes onto prompt cards or
  similar make sure you dont just read out an
  essay
• Looking carefully at your tutors assessment
  criteria

6
Example of assessment criteria

• Criteria may include
• Academic content
• Knowledge and understanding of core material
• Extent, quality and appropriateness of research
• Conceptual grasp of issues, quality of argument
  and ability to answer questions

7
More assessment criteria

• Quality of management
• Pacing of presentation
• Effective use of visual material whiteboard,
  other visual aids, handouts (as appropriate)
• Organisation/structure of material (intro main
  body conclusion)

8
More criteria

• Quality of communication
• Audibility, liveliness and clarity of
  presentation
• Confidence and fluency in use of English
• Appropriate use of body language
• Listening skills responsiveness to audience

9
Before your talk

• Check out venue and equipment
• Decide on and prepare visual aids try them out
• Practise giving a talk and timing it
• Re-read your prompt notes so that you feel
  familiar with what you really want to communicate
  with your audience

10
During your talk

• Relax, speak naturally and look at your audience
• Introduce your topic by outlining briefly what
  you will be talking about
• Dont read long passages of text aloud much
  better to explain things in your own words, and
  use short quotations only
• Distribute short handouts where appropriate
• Use visual aids to support your key points

11
During your talk (2)

• Keep an eye on the time dont go over the time
  allowed
• Stay relaxed and communicate appropriately with
  this audience
• Keep body language positive
• Conclude by summing up your conclusion and then
  inviting questions. If you dont know the
  answer, say so dont bluff!

12
After your talk

• Use a checklist to evaluate your own performance
• Invite informal feedback from friends
• Think carefully about feedback from tutor
• Make a note of things to remember for next time