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Before you begin preparing your presentation, make sure you understand the assessment requirements.

Check the assessment requirements

• Review the Subject Outline, assessment instructions, and marking criteria
• Check the presentation length, format, due date, and submission requirements
• Identify what you will be assessed on
• Ask your tutor or Subject Coordinator if any requirements are unclear

Analyse the task

Identify what the presentation is asking you to do. For example, you may be required to:

• Explain – Make something clear by describing how or why it happens and giving relevant reasons or details.
• Analyse – Break down the topic/question given and provide an in-depth account.
• Compare – Recognise and explain important similarities and differences between two or more objects, ideas, or theories.
• Evaluate – Judge the value, strengths and weaknesses, or significance of a particular topic, and give reasons for your assessment using evidence.
• Argue – Present reasons for or against a statement, proposal, or question and support a position using evidence in attempt to persuade the audience.
• Recommend – Suggest the most appropriate option or action based on available evidence.

Also identify the topic and any limits on what you need to discuss.

Consider your audience

Think about:

• What your audience may already know about the topic
• What information or terminology may need to be explained
• What information is most important for your audience to understand

Research your topic

Locate credible and relevant sources to support your presentation. As you research:

• Record the details of your sources
• Identify evidence that supports your main points
• Check the referencing requirements for your assessment

Plan your main ideas

Decide on the main points you need to communicate and arrange them in a logical order. Aim to focus on the most important information rather than trying to include everything you have researched.

Most academic presentations include an introduction, body and conclusion.

Introduction

Your introduction should:

• Introduce the topic
• Explain the purpose or main argument of the presentation
• Give the audience an overview of what you will cover

Body

The body contains the main information, ideas or arguments.

• Organise the content into clear sections or main points
• Support important points with appropriate evidence or examples
• Use transitions to show how ideas connect
• Keep the presentation focused on the assessment task

Conclusion

Your conclusion should:

• Summarise the main points
• Reinforce the main message or argument
• Finish with a clear concluding statement

Slides and visual aids should support what you are saying rather than contain your entire presentation.

When designing slides:

• Avoid overcrowding slides – keep the text brief and focus on key points
• Explain or expand on the key points on your slides as you present
• Use a font size that can be easily read from the back of the room
• As a rough guide, you may use around 1–2 slides per minute, depending on the content
• Practise aloud and time yourself to make sure your presentation fits within the allocated time
• Use consistent formatting if sections have been split amongst group members
• Use images, graphs, tables or diagrams when they help explain information
• Make sure visuals are clear and used only when relevant
• Reference sources as required
• Avoid reading directly from your slides

Before presenting, make sure you can access your presentation. Save a backup copy in another location, such as cloud storage, email or a USB drive, and check any technology requirements in advance.

Speaking notes or palm cards can help you remember your main points without relying on a full script.

Your notes might include:

• Keywords or short phrases
• Important evidence or examples
• Prompts for transitions between sections
• Reminders to change slides
• Difficult names or technical terms

Avoid writing full paragraphs where possible. Practise enough that you can speak naturally, using your notes only as prompts.

Practising your presentation can improve your timing, delivery and confidence.

When practising:

• Practise aloud rather than only reading through your notes
• Speak clearly and at an appropriate pace
• Practise the pronunciation of unfamiliar or technical terms
• Use natural gestures and body language
• Use eye contact where appropriate
• Vary your tone and pace to maintain audience interest
• Practise using your slides or other visual aids
• Time your presentation
• Adjust the amount of content if you are over or under time

Practising in front of another person can also help you identify sections that are unclear or difficult to follow.

Engaging your audience does not always mean asking them to participate. Clear explanations, relevant examples, effective visuals, eye contact and varied delivery can all help maintain interest.

Depending on the presentation and assessment requirements, you could also:

• Ask the audience a question
• Use a short poll or quiz
• Include a relevant example or scenario
• Use a demonstration
• Invite questions at an appropriate point

Choose techniques that are appropriate for the presentation rather than adding interaction simply for the sake of it.

Some presentations include time for questions from your tutor, marker or audience. Preparing for questions can help you feel more confident and demonstrate your understanding of the topic.

Before the presentation

• Think about questions your audience may ask
• Review areas that may require further explanation
• Practice answering possible questions aloud
• If presenting as a group, discuss how questions will be answered

When answering a question

• Listen to the whole question before responding
• Take a moment to think before answering
• Ask for the question to be repeated or clarified if necessary
• Give a clear and concise response
• Refer to evidence or examples where appropriate

If you do not know the answer, avoid guessing. You can acknowledge the question and explain what you do know.

For example:

“I’m not certain about that specific point, but based on the research I reviewed…”

or

“That wasn’t something I explored in this presentation, but it would be an interesting area for further investigation.”

For group presentations, allow enough time to plan and practise together.

As a group:

• Agree on the overall structure and main message
• Divide tasks clearly and fairly
• Make sure each section connects logically with the next
• Use consistent slide formatting
• Practise transitions between speakers
• Rehearse the complete presentation together as a group
• Check that the presentation fits within the allocated time
• Discuss how questions will be answered

Each group member should understand the overall presentation, not just their own section.

If you are submitting a recorded presentation:

• Check the required file type, length and submission method
• Test your camera, microphone and recording software before starting
• Choose a quiet location with minimal background noise
• Make sure your face and any visual material can be seen clearly if required
• Look towards the camera where appropriate
• Speak clearly and at a steady pace
• Review the recording before submitting
• Allow enough time for uploading and submission

Check your assessment instructions before editing or re-recording, as requirements may vary.

Feeling nervous before a presentation is common. Preparing well and knowing how you will begin can make the first few moments easier.

Before presenting:

• Arrive early if possible
• Check that your slides, audio, video or other resources work
• Have a backup copy of your presentation
• Keep water nearby if permitted
• Know how you will begin your presentation
• Take a moment to settle before you begin

During the presentation:

• Speak at a steady pace
• Pause briefly between important ideas
• Look towards the audience rather than the screen
• Use your speaking notes as prompts if needed
• If you lose your place, pause and refer to your notes
• If you make a small mistake, continue rather than restarting or drawing attention to it

Focus on communicating your main message clearly rather than trying to deliver the presentation perfectly.