Small-Group Presentation 3

In Presentation 3, you will tell classmates something about the two people you researched.  You can describe ways these people are the same or different.

  1. You will stand in front of the class. I will record your presentation and share the video with you.
  2. Time: between 3 and 6 minutes.  2 minutes is too short!
  3. Don’t read your presentation.  Please do use notes (and TURN IN your notes!), but don’t read directly from them.  Combine speaking from memory with speaking freely.  Use notes to remind yourself of your next point.
  4. Look at your audience.  Watch their faces: do they understand you?  If they look confused or unsure, you can ask questions like “Can you hear me?” or “Am I speaking too fast?”  to help you change your speaking style.  Make eye contact, and move your eyes to all different listeners.
  5. Your presentation should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. 

    I.  Beginning: Begin with a greeting and an interesting idea – wake up your audience!  Tell them something SURPRISING.
    Then give a Preview – what will you talk about? Lastly give a transition indicating that your main part is about to begin.  Don’t be creative here.  A simple, SHORT signal like “OK, let’s begin” is fine.

    II.  Middle: The longest part; the main part, or Body, of the talk.
        The Body will have several different parts. It depends on whether you choose "Block" or "Point by Point" style.

    III.  End: Conclude your thoughts.  Give a final interesting thought to your audience – connect it to your Hook - and ask the audience if they have questions.

  6. Your grade will depend on these areas:
    1. Time (between 3 and 5 minutes)
    2. Organization (is there a beginning, middle, and end?)
    3. Body language (eye contact, not reading, loudness)
    4. Clear speaking (can your listeners understand you?)

Here is a handout to help you write your outline. Use EITHER the "A and B" style or the "T-Chart" style. I have 2 main points, but you might find that you use 3 or 4. That's fine!

Your classmates will fill out a form while listening, so you will get feedback from the teacher and your peers. I’ll walk around and listen to everyone, so I will not hear your entire presentation.

  1. Practice, practice, practice!  Give your presentation, aloud, to friends, tutors, the mirror.  Do not skip this step.