Week 2A3: Planning a Presentation

Activity 1 :: Activity 2 :: Activity 3 :: Activity 4 :: Activity 5 :: Activity 6

Activity 3: Preparing an Outline or Script

Another preparation for your presentation is an outline or script that you will refer to as you speak. This outline or plan will have some cues for you embedded in the margins or some large-typed words to remind you what to say at a certain point. You will give yourself cures to turn to the audience to emphasize a certain point or to ask them if they are clear on a certain complex concept. In other words, the script tells you exactly what to do when you going to face an audience, with all the possible anxious moments that might accompany you.

To create your script, follow these steps:

1. Start by making a list of the key points of your research paper. Once you have a list, think about the best order for presenting your key points.
2. Next, plan your introduction. How will you capture your audience’s attention at the start? How will you introduce your topic? How will you convince your audience this is an important topic for them? How will you introduce your main idea or thesis, and how will you forecast the direction of the rest of your speech?
3. Think about how you might conclude. Remember, simply summarizing what you’d said can be dull. To end on a strong note, think of an idea, image, or example that your listeners will be able to remember. This idea, image, or example should bring them to think about your main point after your speech has concluded.