UndergradSkiller: Skill Set Map for Undergraduates and Their Educators
COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION: Oral Presentations
Presentation Techniques
Effective presentations combine clear content with confident delivery. Structuring a talk, using visual aids, projecting one’s voice, and engaging an audience are all learnable skills.
Useful Resources on Presentation Techniques:
The Open University. (2019, December 19). Talk the talk. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/education-development/talk-the-talk
Annotation: This Open University course focuses on creating and delivering presentations and speeches, covering openings and closings, linking ideas, body language, voice projection, audience awareness, and use of visuals. Uses TED Talk examples throughout.
Ashman, M. (2018). Introduction to professional communications. Pressbooks. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/professionalcomms/chapter/8-6-oral-presentations
Annotation: Chapter covering verbal cues (pitch, volume, rate, enunciation, filler words), nonverbal cues (gestures, eye contact, silence), and presentation techniques such as storytelling, audience references, and questions.
The Learning Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (n.d.). Giving effective presentations. https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/giving-effective-presentations
Annotation: Handout covering the four types of speech delivery (impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript, memorized), practice strategies, script formatting tips, breathing exercises for managing anxiety, and techniques for movement and audience engagement. Includes tips for online presentations.
Smith, M., & Last, S. (2022). Building confidence as a presenter. In S. Last, Technical writing essentials (H5P ed.). BCcampus. https://opentextbc.ca/technicalwritingh5p/chapter/building-confidence-as-a-presenter
Annotation: Chapter addressing public speaking anxiety and providing practical steps for building presentation confidence. Covers acknowledging the challenge, recognizing costs and benefits of avoidance, and committing to learning through practice.
Peer Review: None
Table of contents:
- 5.4. Oral Presentations
5.4.1. Presentation Techniques
- 5.5. Giving and Receiving Feedback
- 5.5.1. Giving Feedback
- 5.6. Teamwork and Collaboration
- 5.6.1. Understanding Teams
5.6.2. Working in Groups
5.6.3. Team Presentations
- 5.7. Networking
- 5.8. Leadership
- 5.9. Writing in English
- 5.10. Inclusive and Accessible Communication
- 5.10.1. Inclusive Language Principles
5.10.2. Inclusive Language Reference Tools
5.10.3. Gender-Inclusive Language
5.10.4. Writing about Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Identity
5.10.5. Disability-Inclusive Language
5.10.6. Document Accessibility
Author: Leeanne Irwin
Peer Reviewer(s): None