HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PRESENTATION OUTLINE

When a speaker reads directly from a manuscript, it will be very obvious to his listeners. His pace and pattern of speaking will not be natural and spontaneous as an  every day conversation. His attention will be most focused on his papers than the audience. There’s very high possibility that minds of many in the audience will wander off. If you want your presentation to be conversational and motivational you have to stop completely relying on a piece of paper. You need an outline.

Basically, an outline is a skeletal description of your presentation. It contains main points and supporting ideas  arranged in logical order. Time is also allotted to each of the points. The outline is meant to help you recall ideals and maintain good eye contact with while you speak.

You can have a written or mental outline.  Both forms of outline helps you to organize your thought before speaking so that you don’t wander aimlessly from one point to another or say something you later regret.

There are three parts of an outline- the introduction, body and conclusion. You might find it helpful to write down few sentences as your introduction. As you prepare your presentation, try to connect the main points to the overall theme. Think of how you can explain the points clearly, illustrations and examples you can use to aid understanding your speech. Practice your presentation and see if you can cover the points within the allotted time. Always remember, focus on ideas not words. Don’t memorize, understand what you intent presenting.

To help you further I have prepared an outline of a presentation titled “mobile devices- a blessing or a curse?”

                                    INTRODUCTION (2MINS)

Relate two stories. The first involves someone who benefited from using a mobile devices on his job and other of a teen who is obsessed by and addicted   to his mobile phone.

                                             BODY (6MINS)

                  Benefits derived from good use mobile devices

                 Sad outcomes of unwise use of mobile devices

                           Best ways to use mobile devices

                                     CONCLUSION (2MINS)

                                     Recall important points

Illustrate: mobile devices are much like a sharp knife. It can kill, but is also a valuable tool in your  kitchen.

Call to action on the best involving wise and balance ways of using mobile devices