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Tips for a good presentation

Do you have to give a presentation for the first time, or do you need support creating a good presentation? We have listed a few tips below that will help you get your story across.

Content

  • Make sure your information is understandable and relevant
  • Provide interesting examples

Structure

  • Make sure your structure is logical and clear
  • Avoid giving too much information
  • Formulate a clear key message

Supporting tools

  • Pay attention to legibility: no more than 5 lines of 5 words on 1 PowerPoint slide
  • Vary text and images
  • Use the University house style to create your PowerPoint presentation. Templates can be found in the Leiden University house style guide.
  • Create a hand-out with your presentation, web references and contact information

Verbal and non-verbal communication

  • Use understandable language, avoid or explain technical terms
  • Pay attention to your tempo, tone of voice and volume
  • Make sure there is enough variation
  • Pay attention to your posture, gestures and facial expression
  • Use humour

Contact with the audience

  • Invite the audience to ask questions
  • Stimulate interaction
  • Speak enthusiastically
  • Adjust your story to your circumstances and audience

Timing

  • Start and end on time
  • Make sure your information is spread evenly over the presentation
  • Make time for questions

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Why did my audience come to listen to me?
  • What is my core message?
  • Do I come across as motivated and enthusiastic?
  • Do I make enough contact with my audience?
  • Is all my equipment working?
  • Is my story short and understandable?
  • Do I have an exciting opening?
  • Do I have a concise ending?
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