Giving an effective talk is largely about thinking ahead and thorough preparation. If you have been asked to give a
talk, check that you have been given the following information:
The date, time and length of the talk
Knowing the length of time you have to speak for (usually a minimum and maximum) will enable you to select
the right amount of material for the talk. You may be worrying about not having enough to say, but remember that
a common mistake is to select too much material and to try to cram it all in. This usually ends up with audience
members being overwhelmed with too much information that they cannot follow.
How many people will be in the audience, and where the talk will take place
Decisions about things like visual aids and use of supporting handouts will depend in part upon knowing how
many people will be in the audience. Whether certain pieces of equipment will be available, such as a computer and
projector for PowerPoint, speakers for any sound clips, a DVD player, whiteboard etc., will also make a considerable
difference to your options for the presentation.
What your topic will be, or the area from which you must choose a topic, and how to research it effectively
Being clear about what you are meant to speak about is a priority. An excellently delivered, clear and entertaining talk
will still receive poor marks if it fails to address the topic you were expected to cover