Preparation:

• Outline the requirements of the assignment
  • Compare these with the interests of the audience

• identify the audience characteristics and knowledge base:
  • your introduction covers mutual ground as a starting point (gets them on the "same page")
  • from this introduction, lay down your "thesis" to let them know where you are going
  • then proceed with argument

• Narrow your presentation's topic, considering the above; to only a few main ideas
  
• Practice by rehearsing the presentation, recording it, or reciting it to a few friends

Techniques of delivery:

• Put your audience at ease with a relevant anecdote or joke,
  or get their attention with a dramatic gesture or event...
• Use personal pronouns in your delivery;
• Make eye contact with the audience;
• Present your report with a conversational voice though vary it for emphasis;
• Use transitions to signal the audience you're moving to a new idea;
• Direct questions to your audience to get them more involved;
• Conclude by summing up your main ideas, points, or arguments;
• Leave time for questions, and invite feedback on
  • the content (un-addressed, related ideas)
  • the conclusions
  • your manner of presentation

Using visual aids or media:

• Call early and make sure hardware is compatible with your software;
  and software versions of your documents are compatible with versions of their software;
• Come early and make sure everything works and that any media (audio, visual, computer) can be seen, heard, understood by all;
• Keep all visual materials simple in large text for visibility;
• Have supportive materials for each idea;
• Do not distribute handouts, even outlines, before your speech (or the audience will focus on the reading material instead of listening to you).

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