A Note To Students

For many people, the thought of speaking in front of others prompts a whirlwind of questions and concerns: What if I make a mistake? What if I forget? What if I bore my audience? What do I do with my hands? I’m not an expert on anything, so what should I talk about? How do I keep my audience’s attention? What do I do if I feel nervous? These questions, and many others that often come to mind to those who are nervous about giving a presentation, are addressed in this workbook.

This workbook aims to provide you with the information you need to design an effective oral presentation and deliver it in a confident manner despite any nervousness you might experience.

Just the Basics comes from my more than 30 years of teaching presentation skills to thousands of students just like you, so I know this information works. Just like any skill or area of study, there is always more to learn. Nonetheless, the information in this workbook can be applied to any presentation you may need to give, whether in another course, at work, during an interview, or in a social situation. By using the approach outlined in this workbook, not only will you build both your confidence and your competence in giving a presentation, you will also improve the organization of your thoughts and ideas and increase your flexibility in adapting a message to a specific audience or situation. Many students find the information in this workbook also benefits the clarity and organization of their essay writing.