Presentation Checklist for Class Project

1. Before the day begins, or last thing the night before, run through your talk once more. Use a mirror or visualize standing in front of an audience as you practice.


2. Arrive early, if possible, to check any equipment you intend to use.


3. It's your show, so if the department has IT support, ask them for help with computers, projectors, and so forth.


4. Take a few minutes prior to the talk to double-check your materials, as well as both your introductory and summary statements. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by audience members coming up to chat.

Presentation Checklist for Job Interview or Professional Conference

1. Before the day begins, or last thing the night before, run through your talk once more. Use a mirror or visualize standing in front of an audience as you practice.


2. Early in the day, if possible, take a tour of the room you'll use for the presentation. Look for potential problems with line of sight due to furniture, dark spots due to dead overhead lights, intruding sound from ventilation -- these all can be fixed with a bit of prior warning and a polite request.


3. If you need specialized equipment, make sure it is available ahead of time - don't spring that information on your host at the last minute.


4. It's your show, so ask for help with the equipment if you need it; it's better to ask for help then fumble around during the presentation. Determine who will be controlling the equipment for you.


5. Computer presentations introduce a whole host of potential issues - here are a few to consider:


• Is the host software compatible with your presentation? Are the fonts, bullets, colors, etc. the same?


• Is there a sound card in the host computer? Is the sound system operational - but not too painfully loud?


• If traveling to deliver your presentation, make a back-up of the file using an alternate medium, then bring it with you separately from the one you plan to use (e.g., packed in a different suitcase), or e-mail it to yourself as an attachment - you may be able to access it from your destination if needed.


• Before you depart for the trip, e-mail the presentation to your host and ask that he or she download the file and test it on the computer you'll be using.


• Did you include all the required files and resources for your presentation?


• You might consider making a set of 35mm presentation slides from your electronic presentation, then bringing the stack of slides along as your fail-safe backup - this strategy may depend upon your degree of compulsiveness and/or paranoia, or how important the presentation is to you.


• Keep in mind that failures of technology can be devastating, but that the embarrassment is greater on the part of the host if their equipment is at fault, and also that the host is usually impressed if you provide an alternate solution to the problem.


6. Irrespective of what your presentation medium might be, letting your presentation slides, disk, CD, etc. out of your sight before the presentation begins can lead to disaster.


7. If the room is large, or your voice small, use a microphone. Try it out before the audience arrives.


8. Check to see that accessories are present: chalk, eraser, markers, and especially a pointer. If it is a laser pointer, does it have fresh batteries loaded? Keep in mind that green-wavelength lasers devour batteries!


9. Don't be afraid to insist on a few minutes to yourself prior to the talk; fifteen to thirty minutes is standard. If you have an itinerary, check to see that you've had time allotted for preparation. Use this time to double-check your materials, and both your introductory and summary statements. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by audience members coming up to chat.

For any type of presentation: don't wait until the very last minute to make that run to the bathroom, and remember to carefully check your appearance -- including zippers, buttons and other closures -- before you return.

Adapted from Jeff Radel's Preparing Talks Website.