ASSIGNMENT 2: Oral Presentation

Audio

Please be certain that sound is embedded when

you save your presentation as many

students often assume that because the sound

plays on their home computer, it will play on

ours.

If the sound isn't embedded, the PPT on your machine will automatically link to the sound file on your home computer. This means when you upload your PPT

to EASE, the audio element stays on your computer, rather than being transferred

across with the slides.

One quick way to check this if you’re unsure is to

email your PPT to a friend and see if they can hear

the audio before you upload to EASE.

Where to get help

If you’re unfamiliar with PowerPoint then jump on YouTube as there are lots of instructional videos there. I haven’t specified any here, because it depends which version of PPT you’re using (i.e. 2003, 2007, 2010 or 2013). However, check out the basic instructions (for either PC or Mac users) on Study Desk as that should get you started.

Assignment instructions

Prepare a 6–7 minute PERSUASIVE oral

presentation on an issue (political, social, environmental and so

on).

Ten marks will be deducted for

speeches that go substantially beyond 8 minutes or below 5

minutes.

You will be marked on your delivery style

with the narration, so please do not read

this from a prepared script.

Your audio should sound natural so you

should also avoid overly rehearsing the narration or it could sound like you are

reading it.

• STEP 1

Identify an audience.

For example, if you were going to speak about a local government issue, your audience could be residents from a particular suburb who may be concerned about the issue.

Name the audience and the purpose of your talk at the start of your presentation.

This is to help the marker determine whether the content and style of delivery is appropriate.

The primary purpose will be to persuade the audience to your point of view about the issue.

In addition, you may also inform or entertain to make the speech more interesting.

Assignment instructions• STEP 2

Assignment instructions

• Include a bibliography of at least three academic sources. This bibliography can appear on the last slide of your PowerPoint presentation, formatted in the same way you would do for an essay. You can use either Harvard or APA style for your bibliography/reference list.

• STEP 3

• When you include images (and other elements such as quotes) on the PowerPoint slides, you need to include citations for forget to use the library’s referencing tips for tthese. This can be on the relevant slide, in the usual style for in-text citations. Don’t hese!

Assignment instructions• STEP 3

Because visuals are an important part of oral presentations, we have

allocated 15 marks for this, so you will need to include these with your

presentation.

Include at least two visuals. If you use a PowerPoint presentation and include text as well as photographs or tables etc, this will be counted as two visual

elements.

You can use different coloured backgrounds, photos, and so on.

You can use images off the internet, but provide citation details to

acknowledge the source.

Assignment instructions• STEP 4

Most students use about half a dozen slides to

accompany their narration and this is

probably a good aim to work towards, however you can use more or less

than this.

You don’t need to include a written script with your PowerPoint submission, and you shouldn’t have all of your narrated words

included on the slides.

Use the text on the slides for bullet points

you will be discussing, or for interesting

quotes/statements, and for relevant visual elements such as

images.

Think about the slides as a way to retain your

audience’s interest while you’re speaking, and to

give them important points to remember that support your main ideas.

Assignment instructions• STEP 4

Assignment instructions

• Pay particular attention to the marking criteria sheet. Note the marks for structure. Many students ignore the

structure and lose valuable mark

• STEP 5

Final tip:

Don’t stress too much about the technical aspects of this assignment.

PowerPoint's are not too difficult to master, so if you can do this you will have learned a valuable

way of presenting information that could come in handy down the track (i.e. work presentations,

public speaking skills).

Most importantly, have fun with this assignment because you get to choose your own topic and find

interesting visuals to go with it!