Presentation Techniques for graduate students (CIP)

Public Speaking is your key to success in any field.

In our modern day world, persuaders, the ones who can win hearts and change minds, have a serious competitive edge. This ability to persuade is particularly important in presentations.

Presentation Techniques is a course that consists of a series of interactive workshops and offers you an opportunity to design, practise and deliver academic presentations in your field of study. During the sessions, you will be given insight in the preparation stage of effective and memorable presentations, you will be taught how to structure your thoughts, and how to hone your presentation skills to persuade in lectures, oral exams, master theses defenses, conferences and any situation where you may have to speak in public.

During our 14 sessions, we will focus on how to:

• design, prepare and structure informative and persuasive presentations
• create supporting slides
• use correct academic and domain specific language
• speak confidently with appropriate rate, projection, pitch, tone etc.
• implement nonverbal communication such as facial expression, eye contact, moving with your slides…
• use vocal variety and pauses to spellbind your audience
• switch on the charisma button
• apply ‘logos, ethos and pathos’
• expand your comfort zone in front of an audience and deliver with confidence
• analyze and critique presentations in a detailed and diplomatic way
• deal with fear when speaking in front of an audience

Testimonials:

‘I never thought I would be able to shine in front of an audience, but now I do! Thanks for all the techniques and advice!’ Hao (BA, China)

‘This course has been extremely helpful in making me less nervous to present. I now understand how to plan and prepare a presentation and I feel more confident in front of an audience.  Presentation Techniques should be mandatory for all students at university! We will need this skill as soon as we enter the job market.’ Dorthe (BA, Denmark)

‘I had no idea about some of the techniques. They are quite straight forward, but to implement them is difficult. Practicing in class and receiving the feedback both from my fellow students and the lecturer gave me such good insight in how I could become a better presenter. I now have much more confidence.’ Mathieu (MA, France)

‘Just after finishing the course, I got a job with Greenpeace as the volunteer coordinator … Part of my role here is to create the presentations and organize trainings for the volunteers. Thank you for all the excellent information and training I received from you!’ Lauren (MA, Australia)

Questions regarding the course content can be emailed to AcademicEnglish@hum.ku.dk.