Answers

What are some presentation skills I will need for an assessment?

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If you have been asked to complete an assessment that includes a presentation, it's worthwhile putting some time aside to understand some basic presentation skills. Below are three key presentation skills you can work on while practising your presentation:

1. Good time management

Most assessments that include a presentation will give you an indication of the required length of the presentation (for example, a 10 minute presentation).

It is very important that you pay attention to the indicated length, as this will help you plan your presentation to ensure you cover everything that you have been asked to discuss. 

When planning your presentation, allocate a set time to each main part so that you are able to cover all the important points in the assessment brief. 

Practise your presentation multiple times with a stopwatch to make sure that you are able to deliver the entire presentation within the allocated time.

If you find that you are under the allocated time, you may need to consider adding more detail to your script. A presentation that runs short may indicate that you have not answered the questions in full. 

2. Speaking clearly and maintaining a good speed

When delivering your presentation, make sure you are speaking as clearly as possible. It helps to practise your presentation multiple times so that you do not mumble or trip over your words. 

A big part of speaking clearly is also maintaining a good speed. Speaking too quickly might indicate that you are very nervous, and this might impact negatively upon your mark.

Speak at a moderate pace and allow yourself to breathe. Breathing properly will also help you stay calm and feel more in control of your presentation. 

3. Confident delivery and use of technology

Without practice, you will likely not feel confident speaking through your presentation or using any technology involved in the delivery. 

Whether you are doing a live or recorded presentation, make sure you have practised enough, so that your marker sees you are confident about your message and are not fumbling through your script.

If you have the time, record yourself speaking through the presentation, because this will give you the opportunity to play the presentation back and improve your delivery. 

If you are using MS PowerPoint in a live presentation, ensure you are familiar with the technology before your presentation.

Find out how to 'start presentation' so that the audience can see your slides. Moreover, if you have to present on Zoom, make sure you are able to share your screen. 

Adding notes to your MS PowerPoint slides can help you keep on track during the presentation and this is also an excellent skill for the world of work. 

Watch these short videos for more tips on presentations:

If you would like some extra help with presentations, book an appointment with the Academic Skills Team or contact us at AcademicSkills@arden.ac.uk