SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR A *GREAT* TALK

If you are not a practiced public speaker, you may want a few tips.
It has been pointed out by many professionals that no matter what
you are explaining, people tend to have a very *short* attention
span!  You have to be really enthusiastic for your presentation
to hold an audience's attention for that 30 minute time period.
Some "appropriate" humor from time to time can help keep them tuned-in 
and focused.

Presentations can benefit from the beginning with a formal agenda
listing the points to be covered. Studies show that people
actually remember the first point and the last point better than
the others in the middle; jump right in with the most important
message first!  Then, maybe you can save the second most important
thing for your big finish.

Watch for non-verbal clues to read the audience's reaction.  It's
a good sign when they are smiling and nodding appropriately at
your good points; but if they start looking around the room or at
their watches, pull them back into the talk by asking if they
understand what you are saying and what they think of your points
so far.  Or ask a poll question, like "How many of you think..?"
Another idea is to encourage the audience to picture the benefits
of your idea by saying "Imagine what this can do for....," and
giving them a moment to think about the ramifications.  Don't be
offended by those dozers out there; remember, sitting through
lots of classes in a row can be difficult sometimes, so
help these folks out by being as "up" as possible!  Perhaps (if
appropriate), you could finish with a call for action, spelling
out what they should do right now.



			THE DAY OF THE TALK

Be sure to provide your instructor with good quality copies of your
viewgraphs at least 2 hours prior to class. Remember, you will have a
maximum of 30 minutes for your talk; 25 minutes should be dedicated to
your formal presentation and the remainder to questions from the
audience.  Your instructor will signal you when you are about to reach
25 minutes.  Your instructor will interrupt you at 30 minutes to allow
for questions from the class.   Because time is very limited for
the presentations, it is extremely important that you practice your
talk and time it to see how long it takes.  Make adjustments as necessary
while practicing to shorten or lengthen the presentation to match the
time allotment for your presentation.