Appendix: A
Presentation Worksheets

The worksheets in this appendix are designed to help you plan, prepare, and gather feedback on your own presentation. We’ve included two copies of the first two worksheets—one to use as you work through the course, and one for future presentations. Use the third worksheet to collect feedback from your audience. All worksheets are reproducible.

 

PRESENTATION PLANNING WORKSHEET

TOPIC:

___________________________________________________

AUDIENCE (brief description):

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

DATE:                        TIME AVAILABLE:_________________

STEP 1. Evaluate the Audience

Number of people I expect:_____________

Relevant characteristics:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Primary reasons for attending:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Specific needs, interests, and concerns:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

What people already know about topic:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

How people are likely to respond to message:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

STEP 2. Define Your Objectives

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

To inform (briefly describe what people need to know):

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

To influence (briefly describe what you want people to do):

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES (briefly describe):

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

STEP 3. Type of Presentation (Check all that apply)

  Speech

  Informal talk

  Facilitated discussion

  Class

Demonstration Presentation will include:

  Q&A

  Experiential activities

Other:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

STEP 4. Select the Information to Include and Organize It Effectively

PRIMARY MESSAGE? (A statement of one to three sentences):

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

FACTS AND IDEAS TO INCLUDE: List the points that explain, illustrate, support, or expand on your primary message. (Use a separate page if you need more space)

___________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

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KEY POINTS AND KEY POINT SUMMARY STATEMENTS: List your key points. Then write a summary statement of one to three sentences for each key point. (Use a separate page if you need more space)

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___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

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SUBPOINTS: Beneath each key point, list the subpoints that explain, illustrate, support, or expand on that key point. Then put the key point/subpoint sets in order. When you’re finished, you’ll have a working outline for your presentation. (Use a separate page if you need more space)

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___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

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STEP 5. Decide Where to Use Presentation Aids

On your working outline, mark places where you might use presentation aids to explain, illustrate, clarify, or reinforce information.

 

PRESENTATION PLANNING WORKSHEET

TOPIC:

___________________________________________________

AUDIENCE (brief description):

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

DATE:                        TIME AVAILABLE:_________________

STEP 1. Evaluate the Audience

Number of people I expect:_____________

Relevant characteristics:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Primary reasons for attending:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Specific needs, interests, and concerns:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

What people already know about topic:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

How people are likely to respond to message:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

STEP 2. Define Your Objectives

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

To inform (briefly describe what people need to know):

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

To influence (briefly describe what you want people to do):

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES (briefly describe):

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

STEP 3. Type of Presentation (Check all that apply)

  Speech

  Informal talk

  Facilitated discussion

  Class

Demonstration Presentation will include:

  Q&A

  Experiential activities

Other:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

STEP 4. Select the Information to Include and Organize It Effectively

PRIMARY MESSAGE? (A statement of one to three sentences):

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

FACTS AND IDEAS TO INCLUDE: List the points that explain, illustrate, support, or expand on your primary message. (Use a separate page if you need more space)

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

KEY POINTS AND KEY POINT SUMMARY STATEMENTS: List your key points. Then write a summary statement of one to three sentences for each key point. (Use a separate page if you need more space)

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

SUBPOINTS: Beneath each key point, list the subpoints that explain, illustrate, support, or expand on that key point. Then put the key point/subpoint sets in order. When you’re finished, you’ll have a working outline for your presentation.

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

STEP 5. Decide Where to Use Presentation Aids

On your working outline, mark places where you might use presentation aids to explain, illustrate, clarify, or reinforce information.

 

PRESENTATION PREPARATION WORKSHEET

TOPIC:

___________________________________________________

DATE:_______________ TIME AVAILABLE:______________

STEP 1. Script or Notes?

  Word-for-word script

  Detailed notes

  Simple notes

STEP 2. Prepare Your Opening

On your presentation outline, a note card, another sheet of paper, or your computer, prepare the opening for your presentation.

•  Write out the first sentence and the transition to the body of the presentation

•  Include the primary message

•  Indicate or write out any anecdotes you’ll use

STEP 3. Identify and Prepare Transitions

On your presentation outline:

•  Identify places where you need transitions

•  If you wish, write in the transitions you will use

STEP 4. Prepare Your Closing

On your presentation outline, a note card, a separate sheet of paper, or your computer, prepare the closing for your presentation.

•  List the points to include

•  Restate the key point

•  Say clearly what happens next

•  If appropriate, make a call to action

•  Thank the audience

STEP 5. Add Details to Your Script or Notes

Expand your presentation outline to include the details you need to explain, illustrate, support, or expand on your main points.

STEP 6. Incorporate Presentation Aids and Activities

Add to your script or notes indications of presentation aids and activities you plan to use.

•  Write introductions and transitions as needed

•  List all presentation aids and activities, indicate necessary equipment and materials, and specify how and when you’ll prepare or obtain materials

STEP 7. Plan the Environment

Check all that apply:

  I am familiar with the room

  I need to preview the room

(When?) ___________________________________________

  I can set up the room myself

I need to provide setup details to _On a separate sheet of paper:

•  Sketch or describe the room setup

•  List the equipment you’ll need

•  List other factors to consider about the environment

STEP 8. PLAN Q&A

I will take questions:

  At any time

  At the end of each segment

  At the end of the presentation

  Written questions only

  No Q&A

On a separate sheet of paper, list questions you expect your audience to ask. Decide how you will answer each question. If necessary, prepare supplementary materials or visual aids you might need.

STEP 9. Anticipate Problems

These problems might interfere with my presentation:

 

PRESENTATION PREPARATION WORKSHEET

TOPIC:

___________________________________________________

DATE:_______________ TIME AVAILABLE:______________

STEP 1. Script or Notes?

  Word-for-word script

  Detailed notes

  Simple notes

STEP 2. Prepare Your Opening

On your presentation outline, a note card, another sheet of paper, or your computer, prepare the opening for your presentation.

•  Write out the first sentence and the transition to the body of the presentation

•  Include the primary message

•  Indicate or write out any anecdotes you’ll use

STEP 3. Identify and Prepare Transitions

On your presentation outline:

•  Identify places where you need transitions

•  If you wish, write in the transitions you will use

STEP 4. Prepare Your Closing

On your presentation outline, a note card, a separate sheet of paper, or your computer, prepare the closing for your presentation.

•  List the points to include

•  Restate the key point

•  Say clearly what happens next

•  If appropriate, make a call to action

•  Thank the audience

STEP 5. Add Details to Your Script or Notes

Expand your presentation outline to include the details you need to explain, illustrate, support, or expand on your main points.

STEP 6. Incorporate Presentation Aids and Activities

Add to your script or notes indications of presentation aids and activities you plan to use.

•  Write introductions and transitions as needed

•  List all presentation aids and activities, indicate necessary equipment and materials, and specify how and when you’ll prepare or obtain materials

STEP 7. Plan the Environment

Check all that apply:

  I am familiar with the room

  I need to preview the room

(When?) _________________________________________

  I can set up the room myself

  I need to provide setup details to ____________________

  On a separate sheet of paper:

•  Sketch or describe the room setup

•  List the equipment you’ll need

•  List other factors to consider about the environment

STEP 8. PLAN Q&A

I will take questions:

  At any time

  At the end of each segment

  At the end of the presentation

  Written questions only

  No Q&A

On a separate sheet of paper, list questions you expect your audience to ask. Decide how you will answer each question. If necessary, prepare supplementary materials or visual aids you might need.

STEP 9. Anticipate Problems

These problems might interfere with my presentation:

 

PRESENTATION SKILLS
FEEDBACK SHEET

PRESENTER’S NAME _____________________________________

TOPIC ______________________________________________

Check the appropriate boxes.