Presentations: Preparing an interactive presentation

In the blog last week, we focused on some of the key elements when planning an interactive presentation. This week, we will explore simple techniques when preparing an interactive presentation that is sensitive to audience needs and expectations.

The purpose of preparing an interactive presentation

Well, for example, in a study of audience behaviour during presentations, half of the respondents stated that they did something else during the presentation other than listen to the presenter. This includes the following:

• Sending a text message (28%)

• Checking emails (27%)

• Falling asleep (17%)

Consequently, the prior effort to prepare an interactive presentation can help maintain the attention of the audience, while making presenters feel more comfortable during the often-stressful experience, especially in a cross-cultural context.

A checklist of actions to help prepare an interactive presentation

• First, one option is to distribute a short simple questionnaire on the proposed topic to the audience shortly before the presentation to identify what they already know about the subject. Again, the emphasis is on short and simple, or people will tend not to respond. It is also important to be clear about what information you require.

• Alternatively, send a summary of the subject to a selective audience that includes the key questions to be explored during the presentation and request comments.

• Another option is to ask fellow students or colleagues about the proposed topic and the planned response to gain comments on the direction of the presentation.

• Then, it should be possible to produce a shortened version of the presentation and invite colleagues to listen and comment on what you propose to say. However, note that the actions above are options, not a sequence of steps.

• Finally, it is essential to prepare the presentation throughout from the perspective of the audience by continuously asking yourself the following questions.

• How much might the audience already know about subject?

• What might be the most interesting parts of the presentation?

• Why might the audience become disinterested in some of the content?

Considering the audience retention span

After this, it is important to remember that the audience will have a limit to their possible retention span during the presentation. Typically, retention and interest are high during the introduction, reduces during the main body, and then can rise again at the conclusion if the presenter is skilful with the content of the ending. It is also important to remember that a poor introduction and conclusion will also stick in the memory of the audience for negative reasons.

Designing the draft outline plan

Here, note that the basic organisation of a presentation follows a similar approach to the design of an essay as does the time roughly allocated to each stage.

The basic organisation

Introduction Introduce the topic and the importance Illustrate the background issues Narrow down the topic focus Present the main body outline Provide one clear line of argument
Main body Logical order relevant to the task Sequential Chronological Problem-solution Simple-complex
Conclusion Paraphrase the purpose Summarise the key argument Summarise the one key evidence presented Provide an opinion Offer considerations on further possible actions
Questions Brainstorm possible questions from the audience
Closure Consider any post presentation actions
Conventions Provide citations and references if required

The rough time allocation for each stage

However, note that, when planning the presentation, a time allocation must also be estimated for questions following the conclusion.

So, next week we will explore the challenge of delivering an effective interactive presentation that continues our underlying focus on creative sensitivity to the audience. 

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Question 1

Do preparation failures cause participants to lose interest in the presentation?

Question 2

Why is the final question and response stage so difficult to prepare?

Question 3

What are the key communication challenges when delivering preparation?

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We shall explore Question 3 in the next blog.