UC Irvine — Information & Computer Science — ICS 139W — David G. Kay

Presentation Review Guidelines

Oral presentations are complex, so sometimes it's useful to review them in segments. Consider the following as you listen to others' presentations, and as you prepare your own.

1. Speaker's linguistic behavior
   
   1. Rate of speech, use of pauses
      
   2. Tone of voice, intonation
      
   3. Verbal mannerisms ("you know," "ummm," "like")
      
   4. Kinds of questions the speaker asks
      
   5. Responses to audience questions and comments
   
   
2. Speaker's non-verbal behavior
   
   1. Gestures
      
   2. Movement around room
      
   3. Facial expressions and mannerisms
      
   4. Eye contact with audience
      
   5. Apparent comfort with speaking before an audience
   
   
3. Presentation modes
   
   1. How does the speaker present his or her information?
      
   2. What tools and instructional media are used (handouts, blackboard, overhead projector, computer. ...)?
   
   
4. Organization and content of presentation
   
   1. Can you follow the speaker's train of thought?
      
   2. Are the speaker's facts accurate?
      
   3. How well does the speaker appear to understand the topic?
      
   4. Do you agree with the speaker's conclusions?
   
   
5. Audience
   
   1. Is the audience engaged with the subject matter? Do they act attentive?
      
   2. Are people sitting mainly in front? in back?
      
   3. How (and how often) do audience members interact with the speaker?
      
   4. What kinds of questions does the audience ask?
      
   5. Do some members of the audience dominate the discussion?
   
   
6. Physical environment
   
   1. Is the lighting adequate?
      
   2. How is the furniture configured? Does the arrangement affect the presentation?
      
   3. What kinds of visual aids are available (chalkboard, whiteboard, projector, ...)?
      
   4. How much physical space is between the speaker and the audience?
      
   5. Can you hear ambient noise?
      

Based on materials by Instructional Development Services, UC Irvine.