Guidelines for a 10-minute Presentation

• Not too much text on your powerpoint/prezi
• Integrate the image with the text
• Maps, photos, videos, cartoons, all good images
• Don’t read the paper
• Handouts are welcome

Criteria:

• Clarity of thesis
• Organization and development of the argument
  • A well-organized argument
    • Every sentence should be grammatically perfect
    • Don’t make unprovable arguments- but you can cite others’ arguments and comment on them
      • ex. “The Hutus hated the Tutsis” is an argument you can’t make but one that you can comment on
    • Make every statement lead into the next statement- TRANSITIONS
    • In the construction of an argument, each sentence should naturally flow into the next sentence. Don’t make any huge jumps between sentences
• Historical detail and accuracy!
  • Detail: how small the argument is- how precise it is
  • Also about the information that you’re presenting
• Delivery
  • Overcompensate for speaking
  • Vary sentence length to keep audience engaged (in presentation and in writing)
• Assume your audience is smart but knows nothing about your topic
• Your audience can’t reread your presentation
• Background is descriptive- do spend time on background but not so much that you distract from your argument
• Presentation is more approachable than the paper which is more technical
• Conclusion- come up with a clear, structured ending. Talk about broader implications (why we should care)
• Visual aids- be clear and simple
  • Illustrate your points
  • Never use a visual aid without telling the audience when to refer to it
  • Powerpoints are a potential trap
• The more that’s going on, the more can go wrong
• Don’t present for the first time to your actual audience