Final Presentations

We're going to do final presentations each next week, beginning on Tuesday. This presentation will comprise a significant portion of your final speaking grade.

In this presentation you will present your research paper. Here are some questions to use as guidelines:

Why did you choose this topic?
Is this topic controversial, and if so, why?
What are the arguments in favor and against your topic?
What did you learn from your research?

Final Presentation Instructions

1. Address your topic in an interesting and informative manner in 7-10 minutes. You will then spend 2-3 minutes for questions from the audience and/or use your discussion questions to facilitate conversation. 

2.     Organize your talk into:

·      An introduction (including the background to the topic, if necessary, and the main points of your presentation).

·       A main body (including all the supporting points and any examples you think may make the meaning more clear).

·      A conclusion (in which you sum up the main ideas already presented). Include your own opinion about the topic if you wish.

3.     Be properly prepared:  Good presenters always rehearse what they are going to say.  Do this a couple of times every day starting a few days before you give the presentation.  I strongly advise that you do not memorize your research paper and stand in front of class and recite it.  That will be a very mundane presentation and your audience will be bored.  Be prepared to explain your points in more detail and show visual examples.

4.     Know your pronunciation problems: You are advised to ask your teacher how to say those words in advance.  Remember to stress key words.

5.  Use visual aids.  This is a requirement, not an option.  Select the information you choose to show wisely.  What you show us should either guide your audience and/or help illustrate your main point.  It should not be a distraction.

6.  Key/Vocabulary Words:  Be sure to prepare adequate explanations of any new, key words that you plan to use in your presentation. Choose only those vocabulary words that your classmates probably don't know, but that are essential to understand the topic and your discussion

7.  Use cues and transition words/phrases to help your audience understand the format of your presentation.

8.  Be sure to refer to your sources either during the presentation or after.  Your last slide should be your bibliography. 

9.  You may use a NOTECARD during your presentation that includes key words, but nothing else.  

10. You must prepare two discussion questions that you can ask your classmates after the presentation.  These should not be yes/no questions.  They should be thinking questions.

Audience's Instructions

1.   It is your responsibility to understand the presentation, so if you have a question, please ask.  However, it is polite to wait until the end. 
2. It is your responsibility to be a good audience which means being polite and attentive, maintaining good eye contact with the presenter, and responding to the presenter's questions.