Read and Do: Planning Presentation Board and Presentation

Read

Research Presentation Board

A presentation board is a visual representation of your research.  You will create a presentation board and present it to the class in a 3-5 minute presentation. To create a successful presentation,  the analysis and interpretation of your topic must be clear and evident to the viewer through a balance of visual images and text.

Criteria: Your board must include:

• Text
• An appropriate and imaginative title
• Your name
• The thesis from your research paper
• At least one excerpt from your research paper
• Labels, captions, quotes, etc.
• Reference page on back (sources used on poster including for visuals)
• Visuals - a mixture of pictures, maps, graphs, charts, etc. These elements might be shown with text, visuals or a combination of both
• 4 important points from your research
• A connection to your local community
• A call to action (what do you want your audience to do now that you have informed them about your topic? This is a good place to give information about organizations that work your topic. Think solutions here.)

When creating your board think about:

• Organization – Your board should tell the story of your research. The information should be clearly and logically organized.
• Visual appeal - Use color, texture, and design to make a visual impact and enhance the message of your board.
• Neatness – Make sure the text and images are properly spaced and balanced on the board so the viewer isn’t confused. Edit text for grammatical errors.

Planning your Presentation Board

To create your presentation board, look through your research and decide what elements are most important to include on the board. Make a list of everything you wish to include making sure that you are meeting all of the criteria listed above.

Next, create a thumbnail sketch (a rough drawing) of your board thinking about organization and placement of information and visuals.

Planning Your Presentation

You will have 3-5 minutes to present your board. Your presentation should include the following parts.

1. Introduction: Begin with an imaginative attention getter to engage the audience. Introduce your topic by giving appropriate background information. Explain why you chose this topic and why it is important to share. Hint: Parts of the introduction from your paper might work here. (1 minute)
2. Research: Summarize the major components of your research and how you represent them on your board. Explain the message you are trying to express. (2 minutes)
3. Conclusion: Summarize what the project has taught you about the topic, about yourself, about researching, learning, writing, etc. End with a final thought that leaves the audience thinking about your message. Hint: Your call to action works well in a conclusion. (1 minute)

A good presenter will: be prepared - use notes to help you remember what you want to say, but don't read your speech

• use appropriate language
• speak clearly with good volume
• make eye contact with the audience
• have a good relaxed physical presence
• project enthusiasm
• make sure to stay within the time limit

The best way to get rid of presentation jitters is to BE PREPARED and PRACTICE A LOT!