PRDV008: Preparing and Delivering Presentations

It is often said that we are our own worst critic. Many people are hard on themselves and may exaggerate how poorly a speech or presentation went. Other times, there's not much exaggeration. In both cases it helps to do a post examination of your performance as presenter.

To provide a slightly more objective approach to analyzing the delivery of your speech or presentation, it may be useful to refer back to what we saw in chapter 1 related to what makes a good speech or presenter. Namely, did you

• make the most of your unique voice? Did the audience seem to understand you?
• make the most of using body language? Did your body confidently support what you were saying?
• use a coherent structure? Did the audience seem to make sense of your presentation? Was it logical?
• show enthusiasm? Did you show the audience you cared about your presentation?
• demonstrate expertise? Did you show your credibility by citing reliable sources and making a distinction between facts and your opinion?
• show you practised and prepared? Did your confidence show because you implemented a plan that included sufficient rehearsal, contingency plans, and other success strategies?

Honestly asking yourself these questions with the intention of uncovering your strengths and weaknesses should help you to become a better presenter. While it is important to review other kinds of feedback, whether from the audience, your peers, or an instructor, it is also useful to have a realistic understanding of your own performance. This understanding is part of gaining experience and improving as a presenter.