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For the Love of Learning since 1597
Gresham College provides outstanding educational talks and videos for the public free of charge. There are over 2,500 videos available on our website. Your support will help us to encourage people's love of learning for many years to come.
Advanced resources: oracy skills
The essentials of a good presentation:
- Make a strong opening;
- Structure the presentation;
- Make compelling points using rhetoric and storytelling (making it memorable);
- Use eye contact and compelling gestures/ body language;
- Use your voice to its full extent – vary pace, pitch, tone, etc;
- Use visual aids to reinforce your message/ better explain your information;
- Make a strong conclusion;
- Take questions at the end;
- Overcome nerves.
Make a strong opening
Structure the presentation
Make compelling points using rhetoric and storytelling (making it memorable)
Use eye contact and compelling gestures / body language
Use your voice to its full extent – vary pace, pitch, tone, etc
Use visual aids to reinforce your message and better explain your information
Make a strong conclusion
Take Questions at the end
Overcome nerves
Watch in full: Public Speaking Without Fear
The video above is a good resource for people who may not think about rehearsing their presentations enough. Professor Edmans shows how he went from uncomfortable public speaking to becoming a highly-rated speaker today - an MBA Professor of the Year and author of a Ted Talk - through much practice. He talks through many issues, from not knowing what to do with your hands, to the way to handle a post-talk Q&A. The overall message is, work to improve what you can do!