Preparation: for book reviews

	Read the book (duh!)
	Use your written report as a basis of your oral report. (See handout on writing a book review, on line.)

Preparation for any presentation

	Your talk must have a clear structure.
	Notes should be easy to read—they can be on note cards if you are comfortable with them:  Half-sheets of paper also work well.
	Opening—plan it carefully and memorize what you will say, to avoid too much looking at notes.  For books: Be sure to include the name of the author and the title of the book as well as a summary of the thesis.
	Body—You don’t need to write this out, but have notes of the main points you want to make, in order.  If you want to read a brief quote or two, have them marked so that you don’t have to search for them.  For books: describe the book in general terms, avoiding a chapter-by-chapter précis.
	Closing—Offer a solid conclusion. Avoid ending merely because you have run out of anything to say.  For  books: give your verdict on the book.  Again see the “How to Write…” advice about what this should include.
	Practice and time yourself. Cut your report to fit the time.

 Presentation:

	You don’t have to dress up, but be neat and presentable.
	Stand up, look your audience in the eye. Look around the room at various people, when you can.
	Introduce yourself by your full name.  (We’re pretending that we don’t know you.)
	Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard in the back of the room. Avoid talking too fast.
	When you have finished, thank the audience for listening and ask if they have any questions.  When you have finished answering the questions, thank the audience again before taking your seat.

Avoid:

	Joking with the audience
	Too many “Uh” noises (although a few are just human.)
	Up-talk—that is ending most of your sentences as if they were questions? When they are not? Because it makes you sound insecure?   And you don’t want that?

 Remember:

	The people in the audience are probably more interested in themselves than they are in you, so you don’t need to feel to self-conscious.
	Someone asked the opera star Beverly Sills if she still got “butterflies” before a performance.  She answered “Yes, but they fly in formation.”  This is your goal.