Wildfire Prevention Conducting School Programs Guide - National ...

Preparation
Determine in advance what the talk is about and the type of
presentation that is planned. Is the goal to inform, persuade, sell an
idea or project, incite to action, entertain, or to present an award?
After selecting the subject and the type of presentation, outline the
points to cover.
• Find an interesting starting point or attention-grabber. In the
opening, try to establish rapport with the audience. The more
that is known about the audience beforehand, the easier this will
be.
• Fill in the body of the talk with the points to cover, keeping in
mind the background, interests and concerns of the audience.
• Select a good concluding point. Without a definite conclusion,
the instructor might flounder helplessly and cause
embarrassment.
• It is helpful to partially memorize the beginning and ending of
your talk. Never memorize the body of your talk.
• Prepare psychologically. Much of the success of the talk
depends on the instructor's frame of mind. Think positively
about it and the talk will be easier to give. Look forward to the
opportunity to present issues of prime concern to the audience.
18 – Presentation Skills CONDUCTING SCHOOL PROGRAMS –GUIDE