presentation or lecture

Is There a Difference Between Presentation and a Lecture?

By: Author Shrot Katewa

The differences between a presentation and a lecture can be subtle. However, there are a number of important factors to consider in how to approach one or the other, which will impact how you formulate your given talk.

The key difference between a presentation and a lecture is that a lecture is mostly given by authority and is typically formal in nature. It is mostly one-way communication. Whereas, a presentation can have an element of demonstration. It allows for collaboration and usually follows a story arc.

While these slight nuances might be hard to grasp, there are important distinctions you will need to make when it comes to preparing for a public speaking engagement. Let’s understand these in detail.

1. Event Format – Series vs Standalone

One of the most important differences between a lecture and a presentation is the context in which it is given. A lecture will generally form part of a larger body of work. This might, for example, be part of a broader series of lectures of which this talk is just one – given by the same speaker or otherwise.

A lecture may also form a particular means of presenting the findings of a book or research paper to an audience.

In contrast, a presentation is generally more likely to be a standalone piece of work. That is not to say that it cannot serve as the culmination of research for a project, but a presentation is typically a one-off event.

Presentations will normally encapsulate the entirety of a concept, idea or theory; relating to a single event, which will make it possible to listen to and understand in isolation.

2. Authority vs Peer-to-Peer

a group of students sitting in a lecture hall waiting for a lecture to start

To this end, the purpose of either a presentation or a lecture is an essential element in differentiating between the two. Lectures tend to have an educative purpose. They will often be part of a university module, or a conference.

A lecture is intended to help the audience understand the material. After all, the etymology of the word is one which stems from the Latin word ‘ Lectura ’ or ‘ Legere ’ – meaning to read. As such, a lecture is intended to come from a position of authority, whereby the speaker is telling the listeners about a topic which they are particularly knowledgeable on.

In contrast, a presentation is typically considered to be more peer to peer. Therefore, it is intended for a more specific audience who might have a more vested interest in the content of the discussed material.

Presentations tend to be given in a professional setting, as opposed to an educative one. You might be pitching a new idea, presenting your quarterly reports, or speaking to your department about the company’s plans for the future.

In a university setting you may find that the difference between lectures and presentations lies in the simple matter of who is giving the talk. If it is a Professor, then it will be labelled as a lecture.

Meanwhile, if students are presenting their work or contributing to a seminar then this will be deemed a presentation.

3. In-depth Learning vs Introduction to a Subject

The intended purpose of the presentation will therefore have an impact on the audience who will be listening. This will also affect what they want to gain from listening to your talk and it may also be a reason to change the structure and content of your talk in order to retain their attention.

A lecture, being given in an educative situation, will be intended to teach the listeners about a given topic. Therefore, a lecture will typically develop a layered understanding of the content contained within it. The audience will typically be there to learn, and the lecturer will be aiming to convey their knowledge to the students in as much detail as possible.

It is likely that those listening will be taking notes , which will have an impact on what you include in your script (if you have one), your slides, and how you deliver them. In particular, you don’t want to speak too quickly, and you want to make it as easy as possible for people to take the notes they need throughout your lecture.

In both cases, it is important that you consider who your audience is when you are giving either a lecture or a presentation. But remember, whichever you are giving, you need to tailor its content to suit their needs and wants, in order to maximise your impact on them.

In both lectures and presentations, you ought to consider the fact that the audience may need to participate. In a lecture, this might be more freeform, with listeners interjecting to ask questions. Although, if you do not want this to happen you should address this when you begin and ask for them to restrain until you have finished speaking.

A presentation will typically not allow for interjections, as it is much more of a demonstration than a lesson. You should allow time for questions at the end so that listeners are able to clarify any issues. After all, there may not be a follow up session and either you or they may have to go elsewhere immediately afterwards.

4. Length of a Lecture vs Presentation

An unknown woman giving a presentation to a group of people

The first thing to consider when formulating any presentation is how long will you take to deliver it. Lectures will generally be slightly longer than a presentation – usually lasting somewhere around an hour in length.

Meanwhile, a presentation is typically shorter because the content contained within it requires less depth and provides more on an overview or insight into a topic, rather than an explanation.

In this regard, it is also again important to consider the role of your audience in the formation of your presentation. After all, if you are expecting your audience to take notes which they will go over at a later date, then you should consider how you help them in their note taking.

If you are using slides to support your lecture, you should make sure to include sources and associated reading, so that those who are listening are able to note this down, in order to pursue any further research themselves.

This may also be important if your audience wish to cite your lecture in their research, because if your lecture isn’t also properly cited then they may have issues in doing so.

You should also highlight the most important points throughout and do your best to signpost your audience through every element of your lecture to make it as easy as possible to digest the content you are giving them.

In a presentation, on the other hand, it helps to me more direct with the content you are giving to the audience. They generally only need to know the main points of what you are saying to them and will not often have the need or ability to go and read around the given subject.

To this end, you should also make sure that your presentation is visually appealing and engaging. While a lecture can go without slides, as the content of the spoken argument and information is more important; a presentation requires you to put across what you are saying in the easiest to comprehend fashion.

5. Tonality – Formal vs Informal

A lecture, typically being part of a wider series of work, will have a very different structure to a presentation. It might start by going over the content discussed in the previous lecture, before going on to outline how the next lecture will follow on from this and fit into the wider series.

In this sense, lectures often take a much more academic approach, whereby they are heavily structured, referenced and researched. Particularly in a University context, this is important as students might be being taught about cutting edge research.

Therefore, lecturers need to be able to demonstrate to their students where the information they are giving is from, so that they too can investigate it further.

In contrast, presentations are generally less formal in this regard. The reason for a presentation is much more immediate than you would associate with a lecture.

That is to say, the presentation does not necessarily need to relate to anything that has gone before it or will come after it. It is needed in order to convey information to the audience for the duration of the time in which they are listening to it.

Therefore, while a lecture might follow the Aristotelian method of ‘say what you are going to say, say it, and then say what you said’, a presentation can generally take a more freeform approach – choosing to settle on the significant pieces of information and arriving at a very specific conclusion.

This is not to say a presentation needs to be any less thorough. In a corporate setting in particular, you will need to make sure it is fully supported by the right data and is well structured and argued. However, it doesn’t necessarily need the same academic rigour as a lecture might in a University setting.

Lecture vs. Presentation

What's the difference.

Lectures and presentations are both forms of communication used to convey information to an audience, but they differ in their delivery style and purpose. A lecture is typically a formal and structured speech given by an expert in a particular field, aimed at educating and informing the audience. It often involves a one-way flow of information, with limited interaction between the speaker and the audience. On the other hand, a presentation is a more interactive and visually engaging way of sharing information. It often includes multimedia elements such as slides, videos, and graphics to enhance understanding and capture the audience's attention. Presentations are commonly used in business settings to persuade, inform, or entertain the audience. While lectures focus on knowledge transfer, presentations aim to engage and inspire the audience.

Attribute	Lecture	Presentation
Format	Oral delivery of information	Visual and/or oral delivery of information
Interaction	Less interactive	Can be interactive
Length	Can vary in length	Usually shorter in length
Visual aids	May or may not use visual aids	Often uses visual aids
Delivery style	Typically more formal	Can be formal or informal
Objective	Impart knowledge or information	Inform, persuade, or entertain
Structure	Usually follows a set structure	Can have various structures
Audience	Can be large or small	Can be large or small
Preparation	Requires preparation	Requires preparation

Further Detail

Introduction.

When it comes to sharing information and knowledge, two common methods used are lectures and presentations. Both have their own unique attributes and serve different purposes. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of lectures and presentations, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

Definition and Purpose

A lecture is a method of teaching or presenting information where an expert or instructor delivers a speech or discourse to an audience. The primary purpose of a lecture is to impart knowledge, explain complex concepts, and provide in-depth understanding on a particular subject. Lectures are often used in academic settings, conferences, and seminars.

A presentation, on the other hand, is a visual or multimedia display of information, usually accompanied by a speaker. The main purpose of a presentation is to engage and inform the audience using visual aids, such as slides, videos, or graphics. Presentations are commonly used in business meetings, sales pitches, and educational settings.

Delivery Style

Lectures are typically delivered in a more formal and structured manner. The speaker stands in front of the audience and delivers a monologue, sharing information and insights. The focus is on the speaker's expertise and the content being presented. Lectures often involve minimal audience participation, with the majority of the time dedicated to the speaker's delivery.

Presentations, on the other hand, are more interactive and dynamic. The speaker uses visual aids to support their message and engages the audience through questions, discussions, or activities. Presentations aim to create a dialogue between the speaker and the audience, encouraging active participation and involvement.

Content Organization

In a lecture, the content is usually organized in a linear and sequential manner. The speaker follows a logical flow, presenting information step by step. Lectures often delve deep into a subject, providing comprehensive coverage of the topic. The speaker may use examples, anecdotes, or case studies to illustrate key points and enhance understanding.

Presentations, on the other hand, often follow a more modular structure. The content is divided into sections or topics, allowing the speaker to focus on specific aspects. Presentations may use bullet points, headings, or subheadings to highlight key information. Visual aids, such as slides, are commonly used to support the organization and provide a visual representation of the content.

Audience Engagement

One of the main differences between lectures and presentations lies in audience engagement. Lectures are often more passive, with the audience primarily listening and absorbing information. While there may be opportunities for questions or discussions at the end, the main focus is on the speaker's delivery.

Presentations, on the other hand, encourage active audience engagement. The speaker may ask questions, facilitate group activities, or invite participation through polls or interactive elements. Presentations aim to create a dynamic and collaborative environment, where the audience is actively involved in the learning process.

Visual and Multimedia Elements

Lectures typically rely on verbal communication and do not heavily incorporate visual or multimedia elements. The speaker's words and delivery are the primary means of conveying information. While visual aids may be used sparingly, they are not the central focus of a lecture.

Presentations, on the other hand, heavily rely on visual and multimedia elements. Slides, videos, infographics, and other visual aids are used to enhance the speaker's message and provide a visual representation of the content. Presentations leverage the power of visuals to engage the audience and make complex information more accessible.

Time Management

Lectures are often longer in duration compared to presentations. Since lectures aim to provide comprehensive coverage of a subject, they require more time to deliver. Lectures can range from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the complexity of the topic and the depth of information being shared.

Presentations, on the other hand, are usually shorter and more concise. Presenters aim to deliver their message within a specific time frame, often limited to 15-60 minutes. The focus is on delivering key points and engaging the audience effectively within the given time constraints.

In summary, lectures and presentations have distinct attributes that make them suitable for different contexts and purposes. Lectures are formal, structured, and focused on delivering comprehensive knowledge, while presentations are interactive, visual, and aim to engage the audience actively. Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on the desired outcome, audience engagement, and the nature of the content being shared.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

Difference Between Presentation & Lecture

The key difference between presentation and lecture is that presentation is a mode of communication used in different speaking situations, whereas lecture is a well-organized talk delivered with the intention of educating people on a specific subject or a topic in a formal setting. Both presentation and lecture are used in educating and transferring knowledge to people on particular subjects or topics. Nevertheless, there are slight differences between presentation and lecture.

Key Takeaways

A presentation is a mode of communication in speaking situations to deliver facts and points more clearly, while a lecture is a well-organized talk delivered to educate people on a specific subject or topic in a formal setting.
Presentations require good preparation, practice, and presentation skills, whereas lectures are more focused on conveying information and do not require as much practice or presentation skills.
Presentations can include elements of demonstration and may be less formal than lectures, which are typically used as a teaching method for larger crowds in educational settings.

What is a Presentation?

A presentation is an activity in which a presenter shows, describes, or explains something to an audience. It’s a mode of communication in speaking situations to deliver facts and points more clearly. Through presentations, the speaker or the presenter is able to explain or show the content of a particular topic or a subject. There are different types of presentations, and these presentations can be used according to the purpose of the presenter.

Preplanning and organization are required before doing a presentation. When planning a presentation, the presenter should consider the topic, subject, and level of the audience in order to create an effective presentation. At the same time, the presentation should have a structure starting from an introduction and ending with a conclusion. The voice projection of the speaker or the presenter is also very important when doing a presentation. He or she should also pay attention to his/her presentation skills and facial expressions.

What is a Lecture?

A lecture can be defined as an oral presentation of information to educate people on a particular subject or a topic. Lectures are used to deliver information on different subject areas like history, theories, equations, and background information. The presenter of the lecture is known as the lecturer, and the lecturer usually stands in the front of a room and conveys the information related to the particular subject.

Lectures are basically used as a teaching method for a large crowd. Universities and higher educational institutes around the world use lectures to deliver knowledge on various subject matter to their students. Lectures are delivered by talented lecturers. The students in the class may write down the notes while the lecturer delivers the lecture. There are many methods of delivering lectures. The use of multimedia presentations, videos, graphics, group activities, and discussions are some new ways of delivering lectures to students.

What is the Difference Between Presentation and Lecture?

Although both presentations and lectures are used to educate people on a particular subject, there are slight differences between these two methods. The key difference between presentation and lecture is that a presentation is less formal than a lecture. Also, although a lecture merely presents subject matter, presentations can have the elements of a demonstration. Furthermore, presentation skills and facial expressions are used in a presentation, whereas presentation skills and facial expressions are not much required in a lecture. Moreover, good preparation and practice are needed for a presentation, but much practice is not needed to deliver a lecture.

Summary – Presentation vs Lecture

Both presentations and lectures are used to educate people or students on a particular subject or a topic. The key difference between presentation and lecture is that presentation is a mode of communication used in different speaking situations, whereas lecture is a well-organized talk delivered with the intention of educating people on a specific subject or a topic in a formal setting. Reference: 1. “What Is a Presentation?” SkillsYouNeed. 2. “Lecture.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation. Image Courtesy:1. “Confident woman giving presentation” (CC0) via Pixahive 2. “Photo of blackboard, university, speech, lecturer, lecture, teacher, teaching, physics, professor, orator, birger kollmeier, public speaking” (CC0) via Pxhere

8 Evidence-Based Tips to Make Your Lectures More Engaging—and Memorable

When done right, lectures remain an invaluable tool for building student knowledge. Here’s the research on how to optimize your time in front of the class.

Illustration concept of woman communicating inspiring ideas

“Lecture is not a dirty word,” writes education professor Jess Gregory, pushing back on the idea that only student-centered learning has merit. While it’s true that lengthy, uninterrupted “sage on the stage”-style monologues are increasingly outdated, guiding students toward specific learning goals by using a whiteboard and prepared notes is often the most efficient means to build content knowledge and tackle complex topics. It’s really a matter of getting the right pedagogical mix.

There is a sweet spot, according to the research. In a large-scale 2017 analysis of PISA scores for over half a million students, researchers concluded that “the students with the best outcomes receive a blend of inquiry-based and teacher-directed instruction,” with direct instruction making up a slightly greater part of a successful learning mix. Meanwhile, a 2014 study found that when students attended classes that emphasized traditional lectures, they were 1.5 times more likely to fail the course than their peers in classrooms that buttressed lectures with a diverse range of activities such as low-stakes quizzes, group discussions, and projects.

While direct instruction and lectures are not entirely synonymous—teachers impart knowledge directly during group activities and demonstrations, for example—the lecture remains a useful mainstay of direct instruction in classrooms around the world. Still, lectures have some obvious drawbacks: They can rapidly become boring or overwhelm students with information, causing them to lose focus and tune out. Here are eight tips to make your lectures more engaging, and the material more memorable, based on the research.

1. Review Background Knowledge

It’s hard for students to engage with your lecture if they can’t make sense of it to begin with. In a 2019 study , researchers discovered that student comprehension of a topic was severely hampered if they didn’t meet a “knowledge threshold”—being unfamiliar with 59 percent of terms in the topic resulted in “compromised” comprehension.

A simple review of key vocabulary terms and concepts before the lecture is a useful scaffold, but there are more structured ways to bolster background knowledge. Before jumping into new material, Jeanne Wanzek, a former elementary school teacher and current professor of education at Vanderbilt University, suggests a “ comprehension canopy ,” a review activity that involves making connections to previously covered material before posing a broad, engaging question that hooks students. You can also show an introductory video to help build interest in a topic, and then debrief with a short discussion before jumping into your lecture.

Finally, pretests are surprisingly effective, a 2018 study shows. When students are quizzed before they’re exposed to new material, they make the kinds of productive mistakes that pique curiosity and lead them to seek out the correct answers as the lesson unfolds.

2. Take Breaks—They’re More Important Than We Think

The longer you talk, the more students will struggle to pay attention. In a 2016 study , researchers concluded that elementary students were unable to focus for more than 10 minutes. Middle and high school students can hold on a little longer, but a landmark 2011 study reveals the same linear relationship between time and retention: Material presented earlier in a lecture is retained more reliably than material presented later.

Brief brain breaks —such as a short bout of exercise, a mindfulness break, or a fun off-topic activity to stimulate conversation—can reset students’ attention and provide space to process new learning.

Such breaks are more fundamental to learning than we assume. In a 2021 study , neuroscientists at the National Institutes of Health concluded that “‘much, if not all’ skill learning occurs offline during rest rather than during actual practice.” After learning a new skill, downtime allows the brain to process the information, resulting in improved skill acquisition and memory consolidation. Instead of cooling off, brain activity actually spiked during breaks: The researchers observed a 20-fold increase in neural activity between the hippocampus and neocortex, brain regions responsible for memory and higher cognitive functioning.

3. Check In to Make Sure You’re Getting Through

Periodically, take a few minutes to check for student understanding. These probing exercises help unearth gaps in student understanding, briefly change the dynamics of your lecture, and provide an opportunity to review the materials and make the information stick.

You can try quick dipsticks like the popular Muddy Moment, during which you ask students, “What about this information so far frustrates or confuses you?” or ask students to use hand gestures like an up, down, or sideways thumb to signal their understanding of a concept.

Brief, low-stakes quizzes are also extremely effective. In a 2014 study , middle and high school students who took practice tests shortly after a lesson scored an average of 18 percentage points higher than their peers who didn’t—the equivalent of almost two full letter grades. When quizzing, it’s better to get all students to respond and to ask a mix of questions, ranging from factual to higher-order complex ones, researchers suggest in a 2013 study , because “repeatedly asking the same type of questions might intimidate students”—or bore them.

4. Slow It (Way) Down

It’s easy to fall victim to the curse of knowledge , writes high school teacher Christopher Reddy. You may be an expert in the subject you’re teaching, which can lead to assumptions about the clarity of your lessons. Try putting yourself in the shoes of your students, and explicitly walk them through connections that may be obvious to you.

Every new concept requires students to grapple with new vocabulary, connect information to previously learned material, and then formulate a coherent view of the topic. “A major threat to learning during lecture is cognitive overload, which occurs when the cognitive demands of the situation exceed students’ cognitive capacities,” explains psychology professor William Cerbin in a 2018 study , pointing to the “sheer volume of new information in lectures” as a common source of strain.

Students will follow your lecture at different paces—many will still be mulling information as you introduce a brand-new concept—so avoid going too fast, and build in pauses to let them catch up, ask questions, finish their notes, and process the material.

5. Provide Recorded Versions of Lectures

Traditional lectures can create a bottleneck, says high school math teacher Kareem Farah. “One size does not fit all in learning; there’s no replay, rewind, or fast-forward button in a lecture; and a large group of students are all dependent on one teacher to access learning.”

So instead of lecturing in front of his class, Farah creates his own instructional videos . Because student engagement drops after the 6-minute mark , he chunks videos so that each one covers a single learning objective or task, and to ensure that students aren’t just passively watching his lectures, he embeds questions throughout the video using Edpuzzle .

Farah’s approach—which can be used to replace or merely supplement in-class lectures—is based on a large body of research showing that instructional videos have a significant impact on student learning, largely because they are flexible and self-paced. In a 2022 study , for example, researchers discovered that the presence of a simple pause button on a video may “prevent cognitive overload if the complexity of the video increases.” Meanwhile, a 2021 study found that while in-person lectures were often riddled with digressions and distractions, videos were condensed and thus “more time efficient.”

6. Incorporate Visual Aids and Graphic Organizers

Lecturers can become too reliant on words—a mistake that may lower engagement and comprehension. Sprucing up your lecture by presenting information in multiple ways, such as verbally and visually, can help students see connections more clearly. Imagine trying to explain how an engine works without a visual aid: What may take a few minutes to explain verbally takes a few seconds with a diagram. In a 2015 study , students who listened to a physics lecture and were given visual aids scored nearly 70 percent higher on a follow-up test than their peers who listened to the lecture without the visual aids.

In addition to visual ways of representing information, you can also organize lecture information in different ways to boost student understanding. For example, while a model of the solar system can help students remember the order of planets, an anchor chart can serve as a reference point to help students learn the differences between terrestrial planets, gas giants, and ice giants.

7. Relate the Work to Students’ Lives

Students are more receptive to lectures when they see their backgrounds and cultures reflected in the materials used in class.

In a 2019 study , researchers discovered that Black students were more responsive to lectures when the materials included clear references to Black people—leading to academic performance that was almost a full letter grade better than that of their Black peers who were exposed to materials that focused on White people. A 2014 study , meanwhile, demonstrated that a lack of diversity in the role models featured in school signaled who did and didn’t belong, revealing a blind spot that had “far-reaching consequences for students’ educational choices and achievement.”

Before lecturing, audit your prepared materials and consider whether they reflect the diversity of your classroom. You can use a student interest survey to determine student passions and then incorporate relatable materials into your lecture—articles, song lyrics, speeches, or short video clips, for example.

8. Be Yourself—and the Rest Will Follow

Be careful with tone and disposition: Projecting an authoritative demeanor can come across as aloof and cause kids to tune you out. Students prefer teachers who have an authentic, conversational style, a 2017 study finds, and passion for the material goes a long way. Not only do students report richer, more meaningful learning in these environments—they’re also more willing to invest time and effort into a lesson, stepping outside of their comfort zone to engage with the material.

Being authentic is more than just being yourself, however. It’s also about signaling to your students that you care about their well-being. Avoid treating lectures as merely a transfer of information, and focus on making plenty of room for your common humanity: Promote dialogue, take brief breaks to relax together, ask questions about how students feel as you progress through lessons, and show concern if they struggle. “The process of teaching authentically need not be more complicated than making simple and direct statements regarding the level of concern and care that a teacher holds for their students,” the researchers say.

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How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

Guy Kawasaki

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

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Presentation

Written By Gregg Rosenzweig
Updated: June 4, 2024

We’re here to help you choose the most appropriate content types to fulfill your content strategy. In this series, we’re breaking down the most popular content types to their basic fundamentals so you can start with a solid foundation — simple definitions, clarity on formats, and plenty of examples.

What is a Presentation?

A communication device that relays a topic to an audience in the form of a slide show, demonstration, lecture, or speech, where words and pictures complement each other.

Why should you think of presentations as content?

The beauty of content creation is that almost anything can become a compelling piece of content . It just depends on the creativity used to convert it and the story that brings it to life.

The long and short of it

Although the length of a presentation in terms of time can depend on the overall approach (Are you talking a lot? Are you referring to the screen in detail or not?), consider the number of informational content slides when tallying the overall presentation length. For instance, don’t include title slides in your tally when conveying length to a content creator.

A general guide to presentation length:

Short Form (5 content slides)
Standard Form (10 content slides)
Long Form (20+ content slides)

Business types:

Any company that has a pitch deck, executive summary, sales presentation, or any kind of internal document can repurpose them into external-facing content pieces — without pain.

Presentation Examples – Short Form

Here are some short-form examples with curated to help inspire you.

Presentation Examples – Standard Form

Presentation Examples – Long Form

Understanding Content Quality in Examples

Our team has rated content type examples in three degrees of quality ( Good, Better, Best ) to help you better gauge resources needed for your content plan.

In general, the degrees of content quality correspond to our three content levels ( General, Qualified, Expert ) based on the criteria below. Remember though, multiple variables determine the cost, completion time, or content level for any content piece with a perceived degree of quality.

How to Get Exceptional Content That Elevates

If you want to impress your clients, co-workers, or leadership team with your next presentation or product demonstration, to might want to consider working with proven content creators.

At ClearVoice, we have a Talent Network of 4000+ professionals across 200+ industries. That means we can find creators with the exact skill sets and expertise you need to create content that gets results.

Talk to a content specialist today to start the conversation.

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PRESENTATION SKILLS

How can you make a good presentation even more effective?

This page draws on published advice from expert presenters around the world, which will help to take your presentations from merely ‘good’ to ‘great’.

By bringing together advice from a wide range of people, the aim is to cover a whole range of areas.

Whether you are an experienced presenter, or just starting out, there should be ideas here to help you to improve.

1. Show your Passion and Connect with your Audience

It’s hard to be relaxed and be yourself when you’re nervous.

But time and again, the great presenters say that the most important thing is to connect with your audience, and the best way to do that is to let your passion for the subject shine through.

Be honest with the audience about what is important to you and why it matters.

Be enthusiastic and honest, and the audience will respond.

2. Focus on your Audience’s Needs

Your presentation needs to be built around what your audience is going to get out of the presentation.

As you prepare the presentation, you always need to bear in mind what the audience needs and wants to know, not what you can tell them.

While you’re giving the presentation, you also need to remain focused on your audience’s response, and react to that.

You need to make it easy for your audience to understand and respond.

3. Keep it Simple: Concentrate on your Core Message

When planning your presentation, you should always keep in mind the question:

What is the key message (or three key points) for my audience to take away?

You should be able to communicate that key message very briefly.

Some experts recommend a 30-second ‘elevator summary’, others that you can write it on the back of a business card, or say it in no more than 15 words.

Whichever rule you choose, the important thing is to keep your core message focused and brief.

And if what you are planning to say doesn’t contribute to that core message, don’t say it.

4. Smile and Make Eye Contact with your Audience

This sounds very easy, but a surprisingly large number of presenters fail to do it.

If you smile and make eye contact, you are building rapport , which helps the audience to connect with you and your subject. It also helps you to feel less nervous, because you are talking to individuals, not to a great mass of unknown people.

To help you with this, make sure that you don’t turn down all the lights so that only the slide screen is visible. Your audience needs to see you as well as your slides.

5. Start Strongly

The beginning of your presentation is crucial. You need to grab your audience’s attention and hold it.

They will give you a few minutes’ grace in which to entertain them, before they start to switch off if you’re dull. So don’t waste that on explaining who you are. Start by entertaining them.

Try a story (see tip 7 below), or an attention-grabbing (but useful) image on a slide.

6. Remember the 10-20-30 Rule for Slideshows

This is a tip from Guy Kawasaki of Apple. He suggests that slideshows should:

Contain no more than 10 slides;
Last no more than 20 minutes; and
Use a font size of no less than 30 point.

This last is particularly important as it stops you trying to put too much information on any one slide. This whole approach avoids the dreaded ‘Death by PowerPoint’.

As a general rule, slides should be the sideshow to you, the presenter. A good set of slides should be no use without the presenter, and they should definitely contain less, rather than more, information, expressed simply.

If you need to provide more information, create a bespoke handout and give it out after your presentation.

7. Tell Stories

Human beings are programmed to respond to stories.

Stories help us to pay attention, and also to remember things. If you can use stories in your presentation, your audience is more likely to engage and to remember your points afterwards. It is a good idea to start with a story, but there is a wider point too: you need your presentation to act like a story.

Think about what story you are trying to tell your audience, and create your presentation to tell it.

Finding The Story Behind Your Presentation

To effectively tell a story, focus on using at least one of the two most basic storytelling mechanics in your presentation:

Focusing On Characters – People have stories; things, data, and objects do not. So ask yourself “who” is directly involved in your topic that you can use as the focal point of your story.

For example, instead of talking about cars (your company’s products), you could focus on specific characters like:

The drivers the car is intended for – people looking for speed and adventure
The engineers who went out of their way to design the most cost-effective car imaginable

A Changing Dynamic – A story needs something to change along the way. So ask yourself “What is not as it should be?” and answer with what you are going to do about it (or what you did about it).

For example…

Did hazardous road conditions inspire you to build a rugged, all-terrain jeep that any family could afford?
Did a complicated and confusing food labelling system lead you to establish a colour-coded nutritional index so that anybody could easily understand it?

To see 15 more actionable storytelling tips, see Nuts & Bolts Speed Training’s post on Storytelling Tips .

8. Use your Voice Effectively

The spoken word is actually a pretty inefficient means of communication, because it uses only one of your audience’s five senses. That’s why presenters tend to use visual aids, too. But you can help to make the spoken word better by using your voice effectively.

Varying the speed at which you talk, and emphasising changes in pitch and tone all help to make your voice more interesting and hold your audience’s attention.

For more about this, see our page on Effective Speaking .

9. Use your Body Too

It has been estimated that more than three quarters of communication is non-verbal.

That means that as well as your tone of voice, your body language is crucial to getting your message across. Make sure that you are giving the right messages: body language to avoid includes crossed arms, hands held behind your back or in your pockets, and pacing the stage.

Make your gestures open and confident, and move naturally around the stage, and among the audience too, if possible.

10. Relax, Breathe and Enjoy

If you find presenting difficult, it can be hard to be calm and relaxed about doing it.

One option is to start by concentrating on your breathing. Slow it down, and make sure that you’re breathing fully. Make sure that you continue to pause for breath occasionally during your presentation too.

For more ideas, see our page on Coping with Presentation Nerves .

If you can bring yourself to relax, you will almost certainly present better. If you can actually start to enjoy yourself, your audience will respond to that, and engage better. Your presentations will improve exponentially, and so will your confidence. It’s well worth a try.

Improve your Presentation Skills

Follow our guide to boost your presentation skills learning about preparation, delivery, questions and all other aspects of giving effective presentations.

Start with: What is a Presentation?

Continue to: How to Give a Speech Self Presentation

See also: Five Ways You Can Do Visual Marketing on a Budget Can Presentation Science Improve Your Presentation? Typography – It’s All About the Message in Your Slides

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What Are Effective Presentation Skills (and How to Improve Them)

Presentation skills are essential for your personal and professional life. Learn about effective presentations and how to boost your presenting techniques.

[Featured Image]: The marketing manager, wearing a yellow top, is making a PowerPoint presentation.

At least seven out of 10 Americans agree that presentation skills are essential for a successful career [ 1 ]. Although it might be tempting to think that these are skills reserved for people interested in public speaking roles, they're critical in a diverse range of jobs. For example, you might need to brief your supervisor on research results.

Presentation skills are also essential in other scenarios, including working with a team and explaining your thought process, walking clients through project ideas and timelines, and highlighting your strengths and achievements to your manager during performance reviews.

Whatever the scenario, you have very little time to capture your audience’s attention and get your point across when presenting information—about three seconds, according to research [ 2 ]. Effective presentation skills help you get your point across and connect with the people you’re communicating with, which is why nearly every employer requires them.

Understanding what presentation skills are is only half the battle. Honing your presenting techniques is essential for mastering presentations of all kinds and in all settings.

What are presentation skills?

Presentation skills are the abilities and qualities necessary for creating and delivering a compelling presentation that effectively communicates information and ideas. They encompass what you say, how you structure it, and the materials you include to support what you say, such as slides, videos, or images.

You'll make presentations at various times in your life. Examples include:

Making speeches at a wedding, conference, or another event

Making a toast at a dinner or event

Explaining projects to a team

Delivering results and findings to management teams

Teaching people specific methods or information

Proposing a vote at community group meetings

Pitching a new idea or business to potential partners or investors

Why are presentation skills important?

Delivering effective presentations is critical in your professional and personal life. You’ll need to hone your presentation skills in various areas, such as when giving a speech, convincing your partner to make a substantial purchase, and talking to friends and family about an important situation.

No matter if you’re using them in a personal or professional setting, these are the skills that make it easier and more effective to convey your ideas, convince or persuade others, and experience success. A few of the benefits that often accompany improving your presentation skills include:

Enriched written and verbal communication skills

Enhanced confidence and self-image

Boosted critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities

Better motivational techniques

Increased leadership skills

Expanded time management, negotiation, and creativity

The better your presenting techniques, the more engaging your presentations will be. You could also have greater opportunities to make positive impacts in business and other areas of your life.

Effective presentation skills

Imagine yourself in the audience at a TED Talk or sitting with your coworkers at a big meeting held by your employer. What would you be looking for in how they deliver their message? What would make you feel engaged?

These are a few questions to ask yourself as you review this list of some of the most effective presentation skills.

Verbal communication

How you use language and deliver messages play essential roles in how your audience will receive your presentation. Speak clearly and confidently, projecting your voice enough to ensure everyone can hear. Think before you speak, pausing when necessary and tailoring the way you talk to resonate with your particular audience.

Body language

Body language combines various critical elements, including posture, gestures, eye contact, expressions, and position in front of the audience. Body language is one of the elements that can instantly transform a presentation that would otherwise be dull into one that's dynamic and interesting.

Voice projection

The ability to project your voice improves your presentation by allowing your audience to hear what you're saying. It also increases your confidence to help settle any lingering nerves while also making your message more engaging. To project your voice, stand comfortably with your shoulders back. Take deep breaths to power your speaking voice and ensure you enunciate every syllable you speak.

How you present yourself plays a role in your body language and ability to project your voice. It also sets the tone for the presentation. Avoid slouching or looking overly tense. Instead, remain open, upright, and adaptable while taking the formality of the occasion into account.

Storytelling

Incorporating storytelling into a presentation is an effective strategy used by many powerful public speakers. It has the power to bring your subject to life and pique the audience’s curiosity. Don’t be afraid to tell a personal story, slowly building up suspense or adding a dramatic moment. And, of course, be sure to end with a positive takeaway to drive your point home.

Active listening

Active listening is a valuable skill all on its own. When you understand and thoughtfully respond to what you hear—whether it's in a conversation or during a presentation—you’ll likely deepen your personal relationships and actively engage audiences during a presentation. As part of your presentation skill set, it helps catch and maintain the audience’s attention, helping them remain focused while minimizing passive response, ensuring the message is delivered correctly, and encouraging a call to action.

Stage presence

During a presentation, projecting confidence can help keep your audience engaged. Stage presence can help you connect with your audience and encourage them to want to watch you. To improve your presence, try amping up your normal demeanor by infusing it with a bit of enthusiasm. Project confidence and keep your information interesting.

Watch your audience as you’re presenting. If you’re holding their attention, it likely means you’re connecting well with them.

Self-awareness

Monitoring your own emotions and reactions will allow you to react well in various situations. It helps you remain personable throughout your presentation and handle feedback well. Self-awareness can help soothe nervousness during presentations, allowing you to perform more effectively.

Writing skills

Writing is a form of presentation. Sharp writing skills can help you master your presentation’s outline to ensure you stay on message and remain clear about your objectives from the beginning until the end. It’s also helpful to have strong writing abilities for creating compelling slides and other visual aids.

Understanding an audience

When you understand your audience's needs and interests, you can design your presentation around them. In turn, you'll deliver maximum value to them and enhance your ability to make your message easy to understand.

Learn more about presentation skills from industry experts at SAP:

How to improve presentation skills

There’s an art to public speaking. Just like any other type of art, this is one that requires practice. Improving your presentation skills will help reduce miscommunications, enhance your time management capabilities, and boost your leadership skills. Here are some ways you can improve these skills:

Work on self-confidence.

When you’re confident, you naturally speak more clearly and with more authority. Taking the time to prepare your presentation with a strong opening and compelling visual aids can help you feel more confident. Other ways to improve your self-confidence include practicing positive self-talk, surrounding yourself with positive people, and avoiding comparing yourself (or your presentation) to others.

Develop strategies for overcoming fear.

Many people are nervous or fearful before giving a presentation. A bad memory of a past performance or insufficient self-confidence can contribute to fear and anxiety. Having a few go-to strategies like deep breathing, practicing your presentation, and grounding can help you transform that fear into extra energy to put into your stage presence.

Learn grounding techniques.

Grounding is any type of technique that helps you steer your focus away from distressing thoughts and keeps you connected with your present self. To ground yourself, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and imagine you’re a large, mature tree with roots extending deep into the earth—like the tree, you can become unshakable.

Learn how to use presentation tools.

Visual aids and other technical support can transform an otherwise good presentation into a wow-worthy one. A few popular presentation tools include:

Canva: Provides easy-to-design templates you can customize

Powtoon: Animation software that makes video creation fast and easy

PowerPoint: Microsoft's iconic program popular for dynamic marketing and sales presentations

Practice breathing techniques.

Breathing techniques can help quell anxiety, making it easier to shake off pre-presentation jitters and nerves. It also helps relax your muscles and get more oxygen to your brain. For some pre-presentation calmness, you can take deep breaths, slowly inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.

While presenting, breathe in through your mouth with the back of your tongue relaxed so your audience doesn't hear a gasping sound. Speak on your exhalation, maintaining a smooth voice.

Gain experience.

The more you practice, the better you’ll become. The more you doanything, the more comfortable you’ll feel engaging in that activity. Presentations are no different. Repeatedly practicing your own presentation also offers the opportunity to get feedback from other people and tweak your style and content as needed.

Tips to help you ace your presentation

Your presentation isn’t about you; it’s about the material you’re presenting. Sometimes, reminding yourself of this ahead of taking center stage can help take you out of your head, allowing you to connect effectively with your audience. The following are some of the many actions you can take on the day of your presentation.

Arrive early.

Since you may have a bit of presentation-related anxiety, it’s important to avoid adding travel stress. Give yourself an abundance of time to arrive at your destination, and take into account heavy traffic and other unforeseen events. By arriving early, you also give yourself time to meet with any on-site technicians, test your equipment, and connect with people ahead of the presentation.

Become familiar with the layout of the room.

Arriving early also gives you time to assess the room and figure out where you want to stand. Experiment with the acoustics to determine how loudly you need to project your voice, and test your equipment to make sure everything connects and appears properly with the available setup. This is an excellent opportunity to work out any last-minute concerns and move around to familiarize yourself with the setting for improved stage presence.

Listen to presenters ahead of you.

When you watch others present, you'll get a feel for the room's acoustics and lighting. You can also listen for any data that’s relevant to your presentation and revisit it during your presentation—this can make the presentation more interactive and engaging.

Use note cards.

Writing yourself a script could provide you with more comfort. To prevent sounding too robotic or disengaged, only include talking points in your note cards in case you get off track. Using note cards can help keep your presentation organized while sounding more authentic to your audience.

Learn to deliver clear and confident presentations with Dynamic Public Speaking from the University of Washington. Build confidence, develop new delivery techniques, and practice strategies for crafting compelling presentations for different purposes, occasions, and audiences.

Article sources

Forbes. “ New Survey: 70% Say Presentation Skills are Critical for Career Success , https://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2014/09/25/new-survey-70-percent-say-presentation-skills-critical-for-career-success/?sh=619f3ff78890.” Accessed December 7, 2022.

Beautiful.ai. “ 15 Presentation and Public Speaking Stats You Need to Know , https://www.beautiful.ai/blog/15-presentation-and-public-speaking-stats-you-need-to-know. Accessed December 7, 2022.

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Home Blog Education Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success

Getting the perfect presentation design is just a step toward a successful presentation. For the experienced user, building presentation skills is the answer to elevating the power of your message and showing expertise on any subject. Still, one can ask: is it the same set of skills, or are they dependable on the type of presentation?

In this article, we will introduce the different types of presentations accompanied by the skillset required to master them. The purpose, as always, is to retain the audience’s interest for a long-lasting and convincing message.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Presentation Skills

Persuasive presentations, instructional presentations, informative presentations, inspirational presentations, basic presentation skills, what are the main difficulties when giving a presentation, recommendations to improve your presentation skills, closing statement.

Effective communication is the answer to reaching business and academic goals. The scenarios in which we can be required to deliver a presentation are as diverse as one can imagine. Still, some core concepts apply to all presentations.

We define presentation skills as a compendium of soft skills that directly affect your presentation performance and contribute to creating a great presentation. These are not qualities acquired by birth but skills you ought to train and master to delve into professional environments.

You may ask: is it really that evident when a presenter is not prepared? Here are some common signs people can experience during presentations:

Evasive body language: Not making eye contact with the audience, arms closed tightly to the body, hands in pockets all the time.
Lack of interest in the presenter’s voice: dull tone, not putting an effort to articulate the topics.
Doubting when asked to answer a question
Irksome mood

The list can go on about common presenter mistakes , and most certainly, it will affect the performance of any presented data if the lack of interest by the presenter is blatantly obvious. Another element to consider is anxiety, and according to research by the National Institute of Mental Health, 73% of the population in the USA is affected by glossophobia , which is the fear of public speaking, judgment, or negative evaluation by other people.

Therefore, presentation skills training is essential for any business professional who wants to achieve effective communication . It will remove the anxiety from presentation performance and help users effectively deliver their message and connect with the audience.

Archetypes of presentations

Persuasive presentations aim to convince the audience – often in short periods – to acquire a product or service, adhere to a cause, or invest in a company. For business entrepreneurs or politicians, persuasive presentations are their tool for the trade.

Unless you aim to be perceived as an imposter, a proper persuasive presentation has the elements of facts, empathy, and logic, balanced under a well-crafted narrative. The central pillar of these presentations is to identify the single factor that gathered your audience: it could be a market need, a social cause, or a revolutionary concept for today’s society. It has to be something with enough power to gather critiques – both good and bad.

That single factor has to be backed up by facts. Research that builds your hypothesis on how to solve that problem. A deep understanding of the target audience’s needs , concerns, and social position regarding the solution your means can offer. When those elements are in place, building a pitch becomes an easy task.

Graphics can help you introduce information in a compelling format, lowering the need for lengthy presentations. Good presentation skills for persuasive presentations go by the hand of filtering relevant data and creating the visual cues that resonate with what your audience demands.

One powerful example of a persuasive presentation is the technique known as the elevator pitch . You must introduce your idea or product convincingly to the audience in a timeframe between 30 seconds and less than 2 minutes. You have to expose:

What do you do
What’s the problem to solve
Why is your solution different from others
Why should the audience care about your expertise

presentation skills an elevator pitch slide

For that very purpose, using engaging graphics with contrasting colors elevates the potential power of your message. It speaks professionalism, care for details, and out-of-the-box thinking. Knowing how to end a presentation is also critical, as your CTAs should be placed with care.

Therefore, let’s resume the requirements of persuasive presentations in terms of good presentation skills:

Identifying problems and needs
Elaborating “the hook” (the element that grabs the audience’s attention)
Knowing how to “tie” your audience (introducing a piece of information related to the hook that causes an emotional impact)
Broad knowledge of body language and hand gestures to quickly convey your message
Being prepared to argue a defense of your point of view
Handling rejection
Having a proactive attitude to convert opportunities into new projects
Using humor, surprise, or personal anecdotes as elements to sympathize with the audience
Having confidence
Be able to summarize facts and information in visually appealing ways

skills required for persuasive presentations

You can learn more about persuasive presentation techniques by clicking here .

In the case of instructional presentations, we ought to differentiate two distinctive types:

Lecture Presentations : Presentations being held at universities or any other educative institution. Those presentations cover, topic by topic, and the contents of a syllabus and are created by the team of teachers in charge of the course.
Training Presentations : These presentations take place during in-company training sessions and usually comprise a good amount of content that is resumed into easy-to-take solutions. They are aimed to coach employees over certain topics relevant to their work performance. The 70-20-10 Model is frequently used to address these training situations.

Lecture presentations appeal to the gradual introduction of complex concepts, following a structure set in the course’s syllabus. These presentations often have a similar aesthetic as a group of professors or researchers created to share their knowledge about a topic. Personal experience does tell that course presentations often rely on factual data, adequately documented, and on the theoretical side.

An example of a presentation that lies under this concept is a Syllabus Presentation, used by the teaching team to introduce the subject to new students, evaluation methods, concepts to be learned, and expectations to pass the course.

using a course syllabus presentation to boost your instructional presentation skills

On the other hand, training presentations are slide decks designed to meet an organization’s specific needs in the formal education of their personnel. Commonly known as “continuous education,” plenty of companies invest resources in coaching their employees to achieve higher performance results. These presentations have the trademark of being concise since their idea is to introduce the concepts that shall be applied in practice sessions.

Ideally, the training presentations are introduced with little text and easy-to-recognize visual cues. Since the idea is to summarize as much as possible, these are visually appealing for the audience. They must be dynamic enough to allow the presenter to convey the message.

presentation skills example of a training presentation

Those key takeaways remind employees when they revisit their learning resources and allow them to ruminate on questions that fellow workers raise.

To sum up this point, building presentation skills for instructional presentations requires:

Ability to put complex concepts into simpler words
Patience and a constant learning mindset
Voice training to deliver lengthy speeches without being too dense
Ability to summarize points and note the key takeaways
Empathizing with the audience to understand their challenges in the learning process

skill requirements for instructional presentations

The informative presentations take place in business situations, such as when to present project reports from different departments to the management. Another potential usage of these presentations is in SCRUM or other Agile methodologies, when a sprint is completed, to discuss the advance of the project with the Product Owner.

As they are presentations heavily dependent on data insights, it’s common to see the usage of infographics and charts to express usually dense data in simpler terms and easy to remember.

a SCRUM process being shown in an informative slide

Informative presentations don’t just fall into the business category. Ph.D. Dissertation and Thesis presentations are topics that belong to the informative presentations category as they condense countless research hours into manageable reports for the academic jury.

an example of a thesis dissertation template

Since these informational presentations can be perceived as lengthy and data-filled, it is important to learn the following professional presentation skills:

Attention to detail
Be able to explain complex information in simpler terms
Creative thinking
Powerful diction
Working on pauses and transitions
Pacing the presentation, so not too much information is divulged per slide

skill requirements for informational presentations

The leading inspirational platform, TEDx, comes to mind when talking about inspirational presentations. This presentation format has the peculiarity of maximizing the engagement with the audience to divulge a message, and due to that, it has specific requirements any presenter must meet.

This presentation format usually involves a speaker on a stage, either sitting or better standing, in which the presenter engages with the audience with a storytelling format about a life experience, a job done that provided a remarkable improvement for society, etc.

using a quote slide to boost inspirational presentation skills

Empathizing with the audience is the key ingredient for these inspirational presentations. Still, creativity is what shapes the outcome of your performance as people are constantly looking for different experiences – not the same recipe rephrased with personal touches. The human factor is what matters here, way above data and research. What has your experience to offer to others? How can it motivate another human being to pursue a similar path or discover their true calling?

To achieve success in terms of communication skills presentation, these inspirational presentations have the following requirements:

Focus on the audience (engage, consider their interests, and make them a part of your story)
Putting ego aside
Creative communication skills
Storytelling skills
Body language knowledge to apply the correct gestures to accompany your story
Voice training
Using powerful words

skills required for inspirational presentations

After discussing the different kinds of presentations we can come across at any stage of our lives, a group of presentation skills is standard in any type of presentation. See below what makes a good presentation and which skills you must count on to succeed as a presenter.

Punctuality

Punctuality is a crucial aspect of giving an effective presentation. Nothing says more about respect for your audience and the organization you represent than delivering the presentation on time . Arriving last minute puts pressure on the tech team behind audiovisuals, as they don’t have enough preparation to test microphones, stage lights, and projector settings, which can lead to a less powerful presentation Even when discussing presentations hosted in small rooms for a reduced audience, testing the equipment becomes essential for an effective presentation.

A solution for this is to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Ideally, one hour is a sweet spot since the AV crew has time to check the gear and requirements for your presentation. Another benefit of this, for example, in inspirational presentations, is measuring the previous presenter’s impact on the audience. This gives insights about how to resonate with the public, and their interest, and how to accommodate your presentation for maximum impact.

Body Language

Our bodies can make emotions transparent for others, even when we are unaware of such a fact. Proper training for body language skills reduces performance anxiety, giving the audience a sense of expertise about the presented topic.

Give your presentation and the audience the respect they deserve by watching over these potential mistakes:

Turning your back to the audience for extended periods : It’s okay to do so when introducing an important piece of information or explaining a graph, but it is considered rude to give your back to the audience constantly.
Fidgeting : We are all nervous in the presence of strangers, even more, if we are the center of attention for that moment. Instead of playing with your hair or making weird hand gestures, take a deep breath to center yourself before the presentation and remember that everything you could do to prepare is already done. Trust your instincts and give your best.
Intense eye contact : Have you watched a video where the presenter stared at the camera the entire time? That’s the feeling you transmit to spectators through intense eye contact. It’s a practice often used by politicians to persuade.
Swearing : This is a no-brainer. Even when you see influencers swearing on camera or in podcasts or live presentations, it is considered an informal and lousy practice for business and academic situations. If you have a habit to break when it comes to this point, find the humor in these situations and replace your swear words with funny alternatives (if the presentation allows for it).

Voice Tone plays a crucial role in delivering effective presentations and knowing how to give a good presentation. Your voice is a powerful tool for exposing your ideas and feelings . Your voice can articulate the message you are telling, briefing the audience if you feel excited about what you are sharing or, in contrast, if you feel the presentation is a burden you ought to complete.

Remember, passion is a primary ingredient in convincing people. Therefore, transmitting such passion with a vibrant voice may help gather potential business partners’ interest.

But what if you feel sick prior to the presentation? If, by chance, your throat is sore minutes before setting foot on the stage, try this: when introducing yourself, mention that you are feeling a bit under the weather. This resonates with the audience to pay more attention to your efforts. In case you don’t feel comfortable about that, ask the organizers for a cup of tea, as it will settle your throat and relax your nerves.

Tech Skills

Believe it or not, people still feel challenged by technology these days. Maybe that’s the reason why presentation giants like Tony Robbins opt not to use PowerPoint presentations . The reality is that there are plenty of elements involved in a presentation that can go wrong from the tech side:

A PDF not opening
Saving your presentation in a too-recent PowerPoint version
A computer not booting up
Mac laptops and their never-ending compatibility nightmare
Not knowing how to change between slides
Not knowing how to use a laser pointer
Internet not working
Audio not working

We can come up with a pretty long list of potential tech pitfalls, and yet more than half of them fall in presenters not being knowledgeable about technology.

If computers aren’t your thing, let the organization know about this beforehand. There is always a crew member available to help presenters switch between slides or configure the presentation for streaming. This takes the pressure off your shoulders, allowing you to concentrate on the content to present. Remember, even Bill Gates can get a BSOD during a presentation .

Presentations, while valuable for conveying information and ideas, can be daunting for many individuals. Here are some common difficulties people encounter when giving presentations:

Public Speaking Anxiety

Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, affects a significant portion of the population. This anxiety can lead to nervousness, trembling, and forgetfulness during a presentation.

Lack of Confidence

Many presenters struggle with self-doubt, fearing that they may not be knowledgeable or skilled enough to engage their audience effectively.

Content Organization

Organizing information in a coherent and engaging manner can be challenging. Presenters often grapple with how to structure their content to make it easily digestible for the audience. Artificial Intelligence can help us significantly reduce the content arrangement time when you work with tools like our AI Presentation Maker (made for presenters by experts in presentation design).

Audience Engagement

Keeping the audience’s attention and interest throughout the presentation can be difficult. Distractions, disengaged attendees, or lack of interaction can pose challenges.

Technical Issues

Technology glitches, such as malfunctioning equipment, incompatible file formats, or poor internet connectivity, can disrupt presentations and increase stress.

Time Management

Striking the right balance between providing enough information and staying within time limits is a common challenge. Going over or under the allotted time can affect the effectiveness of the presentation.

Handling Questions and Challenges

Responding to unexpected questions, criticism, or challenges from the audience can be difficult, especially when presenters are unprepared or lack confidence in their subject matter.

Visual Aids and Technology

Creating and effectively using visual aids like slides or multimedia can be a struggle for some presenters. Technical competence is essential in this aspect.

Language and Articulation

Poor language skills or unclear articulation can hinder effective communication. Presenters may worry about stumbling over words or failing to convey their message clearly.

Maintaining appropriate and confident body language can be challenging. Avoiding nervous habits, maintaining eye contact, and using gestures effectively requires practice.

Overcoming Impersonal Delivery

In virtual presentations, maintaining a personal connection with the audience can be difficult. The absence of face-to-face interaction can make it challenging to engage and read the audience.

Cultural and Diversity Awareness

Presenting to diverse audiences requires sensitivity to cultural differences and varying levels of familiarity with the topic.

In this section, we gathered some tips on how to improve presentation skills that can certainly make an impact if applied to your presentation skills. We believe these skills can be cultivated to transform into habits for your work routine.

Tip #1: Build a narrative

One memorable way to guarantee presentation success is by writing a story of all the points you desire to cover. This statement is based on the logic behind storytelling and its power to connect with people .

Don’t waste time memorizing slides or reading your presentation to the audience. It feels unnatural, and any question that diverts from the topic in discussion certainly puts you in jeopardy or, worse, exposes you as a fraud in the eyes of the audience. And before you ask, it is really evident when a presenter has a memorized speech.

Build and rehearse the presentation as if telling a story to a group of interested people. Lower the language barrier by avoiding complex terms that maybe even you aren’t fully aware of their meaning. Consider the ramifications of that story, what it could lead to, and which are the opportunities to explore. Then, visualize yourself giving the presentation in a natural way.

Applying this technique makes the presentation feel like second nature to you. It broadens the spectrum in which you can show expertise over a topic or even build the basis for new interesting points of view about the project.

Tip #2: Don’t talk for more than 3 minutes per slide

It is a common practice of presenters to bombard the audience with facts and information whilst retaining the same slide on the screen. Why can this happen? It could be because the presenter condensed the talk into very few slides and preferred to talk. The reality is that your spectators won’t retain the information you are giving unless you give visual cues to help that process.

Opt to prepare more slides and pace your speech to match the topics shown on each slide. Don’t spend more than 3 minutes per slide unless you have to introduce a complex piece of data. Use visual cues to direct the spectators about what you talk about, and summarize the principal concepts discussed at the end of each section.

Tip #3: Practice meditation daily

Anxiety is the number one enemy of professional presenters. It slowly builds without you being aware of your doubts and can hinder your performance in multiple ways: making you feel paralyzed, fidgeting, making you forget language skills or concepts, affecting your health, etc.

Meditation is an ancient practice taken from Buddhist teachings that train your mind to be here in the present. We often see the concepts of meditation and mindfulness as synonyms, whereas you should be aware that meditation is a practice that sets the blocks to reach a state of mindfulness. For presenters, being in the here and now is essential to retain focus, but meditation techniques also teach us to control our breathing and be in touch with our body signals when stress builds up.

The customary practice of meditation has an impact on imagination and creativity but also helps to build patience – a skill much needed for connecting with your audience in instructional presentations.

Having the proper set of presentation skills can be quite subjective. It goes beyond presentation tips and deepens into how flexible we can be in our ability to communicate ideas.

Different presentations and different audiences shape the outcome of our efforts. Therefore, having a basic understanding of how to connect, raise awareness, and empathize with people can be key ingredients for your career as a presenter. A word of advice: success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dedication and patience to build communication skills . Don’t condition your work to believe you will be ready “someday”; it’s best to practice and experience failure as part of the learning process.

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Blog Beginner Guides How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

Written by: Krystle Wong Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters.

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion:

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message.

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations .

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software .

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong.

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively .

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence.

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload.

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started.

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs.

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account.

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations.

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Lecturing

Strategies for More Effective Lectures

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M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Florida
B.A., History, University of Florida

Lecturing is an old-fashioned instructional method of delivering information verbally. This model represents an oral tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. The term lecture came into use during the 14th century as a verb meaning "to read or deliver formal discourses." The person presenting a lecture during this time was often called a reader because they recited information from a book to students that recorded it verbatim.

There are many pros and cons of lecturing that cause much debate over whether this strategy should still be used today. Learn whether lecturing fits into the modern classroom and if it does, how.

What Is a Lecture?

During a typical lecture, an instructor stands before their class and presents information to students. Lecturing can go on for any amount of time on any topic. They are versatile in that sense but quite limited in others.

The negative reputation of lectures can be attributed to their non-transactional nature—they do not tend to allow for much discussion or other forms of student involvement. Lectures simply offer a way for teachers to carefully execute their teaching according to a precise plan. They do not assess learning, offer varied perspectives, differentiate instruction, or allow students to self-direct.

Lecturing Today

Because their disadvantages are now widely discussed, many wonder whether lectures still have a place in the modern teaching landscape. The answer is plain and simple: traditional lectures do not. There are a number of factors that contribute to a lecture's success, but lecturing is ultimately an outdated form of instructional delivery that does not benefit students.

Read about the advantages and disadvantages of traditional lecturing to understand why this teaching approach is in need of a remodel.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Traditional Lecturing

Lecturing, in the most traditional sense, holds more cons than pros.

Traditional lecturing offers a few distinct advantages that other teaching methods do not. Lectures are beneficial for these reasons:

Lectures are straightforward. Lectures allow teachers to deliver information to students as planned. This gives great control over what is taught and lets teachers be the sole source of information to avoid confusion.

Lectures are efficient. A well-rehearsed lecture can be presented quickly and planned ahead of time to fit into a certain schedule.

Lectures can be pre-recorded and recycled. Many teachers record their lectures ahead of time and even show lectures given by others. Khan academy videos and TED talks are examples of common educational lectures available to the public

There are many drawbacks to lecturing that make it nonideal. The following list includes disadvantageous features of traditional lectures:

Lectures are very taxing for students. In order for a student to get as much as possible from a lecture, they must take detailed notes . This skill must be taught and takes a lot of time to master. Most students don't know what they should take away from lectures and do not successfully learn the material.

Lectures are not engaging. Lectures are often long and monotonous, making it difficult for even the most dedicated students to engage. They cause students to quickly grow bored and tune out and they also don't leave room for questions, making confused students even more likely to shut down.

Lectures are teacher-centered. They do not bring students into the conversation to ask questions, debate ideas, or share valuable personal experiences. Lectures are built on a teacher's agenda only with almost no student inquiry or contribution. In addition, a teacher has no way of telling whether students are learning.

Lectures do not accommodate individual needs. Lectures allow for little to no differentiation. They follow a specific format of delivery that does not account for learning disabilities or other needs. Lectures leave many students feeling frustrated and confused.

Lectures cause students to rely on their teachers. The one-sided format of lectures often leads students to develop a dependency on their teachers. Students accustomed to lectures lack self-directed learning skills and are unable to teach themselves. This fails them because teaching students to learn is the very purpose of education in the first place.

How to Plan an Effective Lecture

Though standard lecturing has more or less become obsolete, that doesn't mean that lecturing can't be made more effective. With the help of technological advances and the latest, most productive teaching strategies, lectures can be revamped into much more meaningful teaching and learning experiences.

As with any other teaching practice in an instructional arsenal, teachers should exercise discretion and selectivity when deciding whether to lecture. After all, lecturing is only one tool out of many. For these reasons, lecturing should be used in moderation only when it is more appropriate than any other teaching method. To create the most effective lecture possible, keep these tips in mind.

Be Flexible

Lectures need to have a little wiggle room. Organization is critical but a well-planned lecture is only successful as long as it stays completely on track. Because of this, instructors must plan for any scenario and be open-minded when it comes time to lecture. If a student says or does something that changes your plans, go with it. Practice responsive teaching by listening to what your students are saying and adjusting to meet their needs in the moment.

Before a lecture even begins, decide exactly what it should accomplish. This is the case for any lesson and lectures are no exception. Set learning goals for a lecture outlining skills and knowledge that students should have when you are finished. With clear, action-directed goals in place, you don't have to worry if your lecture veers a little off-track. Let it go where it needs to go and use learning goals you've set to direct instruction no matter where a lecture ends up.

Build in Assessments

Once you've planned standards-aligned, highly specific learning targets, take the time to decide how you will check a student's progression toward them. You should have a way of determining whether each and every student is grasping the material you have delivered and a plan for following up with those that do not. A lecture, like any lesson, should not begin and end in a single day. Review what you have taught often and build lectures seamlessly into your curriculum for best results.

Plan Dynamic Lectures

A lecture should not bore your students. Incorporate multi-media learning experiences, visuals, activities, and educational games into your lecturing to maintain student interest and make your instruction more accessible. Make your students feel excited about what you are teaching and they will be more likely to learn. Additionally, always supplement your lecturing with guided and independent practice to let students try what you have taught for themselves. If you neglect to do this, your students might not understand a concept no matter how interesting your lecture was.

Provide Supports

One of the biggest flaws in the format of a traditional lecture is that it expects too much of students without supporting them at all. Note-taking is an especially demanding task. Teach your students to successfully take notes so that they don't spend each lecture stressing about recording every word you say and provide graphic organizers for them to take notes on. Finally, scaffold your instruction so that every student—regardless of background knowledge, learning disabilities, etc.—has a way to access information.

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Defining and Limiting the Topic

The topic of the lecture may be assigned or left to your discretion. Even when the topic is given in the syllabus, there still is latitude in terms of what angle you take and which aspects you choose to highlight. In order to narrow the scope of the topic, consider the following question: “What am I trying to accomplish?”

In other words, what should students know or be able to do at the end of your lecture? You need to be very specific in your answer to this question. Starting to prepare a lecture without a precise vision in mind can lead to all kinds of problems, as will be discussed shortly.

Keep in mind the audience and its ability level: undergraduates (and at what level), graduate students, or both.
Also, think about how much time you have. What can you realistically cover in the time you have? Avoid the temptation to do too much or to feel that you need to say everything you know.

Let your goal(s) guide you and help you discern what to include and what to leave aside.

Structure and Clarity

Structure is your friend, because it can significantly increase your overall clarity. Remember that brilliant material wrapped in a convoluted package is not a successful lecture. Consider issues of clarity from your perspective first. You must clearly organize your thoughts in your own mind. If the structure is not clear to you, then it certainly will not be clear to your students.

That said, there is no single structure that produces clarity in every situation. Based on your topic, you may find it most effective to present a simple list, a classification hierarchy (with points and sub-points), a chained structure (in which you lead students through an argument or proof step by step), or one of many other options. You may even use several of these different models within the same lecture.

Think also about clarity from the student’s perspective. It is strongly advisable to give the students a roadmap for your lecture. If they know where you are going, they are more likely to follow you. Then indicate obvious transitions between points. Use repetition to emphasize particularly important points, and explain any technical vocabulary.

As the lecturer, the onus is on you to lead people along the path you set for them; the onus is not on them to discern your direction.

Other Elements of Preplanning

Whether you lecture from an outline or from a script, it is important to verify that you have the right amount of information. Typically, lecturers tend to have too much material, so they rush or awkwardly skip over parts of the lecture. Once you begin to time the lecture, you may find that you have to go back and narrow your topic. It is much better to do this seated at your computer than standing in front of a room full of undergraduates.

Consider the pace at which you are speaking, and be sure to vary your delivery in order to avoid monotony for the listener. Remember that examples can take up a lot of time, so use them judiciously. Also, if you plan to include an interactive component in your lecture, be prepared for the fact that this may throw off your timing. You may need to decide ahead of time how much time you will set aside for discussion at given points.

Use of Teaching Aids

When used well, handouts, examples, PowerPoint, images and graphs can illustrate complex ideas succinctly. They can prompt discussion, and the change of pace can keep students more interested. On the down side, these same tools can also be a distraction. Handouts and PowerPoint presentations that are not accurately synched to the lecture can cause confusion. Use these items judiciously and intentionally. Using PowerPoint (and its amazing swirly-text features) simply because you think you are “supposed to” can ultimately undermine clarity and student learning. In fact, with PowerPoint, less [text] is more [engagement].

If you are thoughtful and clear at every step of the planning process, the result will be a successful lecture. Students will be more likely to understand the material, and they will want to hear from you again.

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The Instructional Enhancement Fund (IEF) awards grants of up to $500 to support the timely integration of new learning activities into an existing undergraduate or graduate course. All Yale instructors of record, including tenured and tenure-track faculty, clinical instructional faculty, lecturers, lectors, and part-time acting instructors (PTAIs), are eligible to apply. Award decisions are typically provided within two weeks to help instructors implement ideas for the current semester.

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The Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning routinely supports members of the Yale community with individual instructional consultations and classroom observations.

Teaching Resources: Commonly Asked Questions about Teaching Practices and Educational Technology

Presentations/Lectures

This page covers:

Introduction

Effective Presentations
Tips for Effective Presentations
Accessibility Considerations
Ed Tech Tools for Presentations

Instructor conducting a classroom lecture.

Presentations and lectures are effective methods for transferring information. Information is part of nearly every college class, so you expect to see some presentations and lectures in most classes. However, presentations and lectures are not effective methods for teaching students thinking skills, for helping them learn to solve problems, develop skills, or change attitudes or perspectives. The first key in developing effective presentations and lectures is to use them only for the right purpose.

Effective Presentations

To deliver an effective presentation it is helpful to know a little bit about how we pay attention to, process, and remember information. Research about attention shows that our attention can be very focused, but it’s also limited. We can only pay attention to select things at a time and in fact multi-tasking is a myth . If we want to convey information, we first need to gain our students attention.

We also know that humans process information based on context, meaning and prior knowledge. If students have misconceptions or a lack of context, it’s more difficult for them to process new information. The more we can help students find meaning and provide them with examples and analogies they can relate to, the easier it will be for them to learn from our presentations.

The ultimate goal for our presentations is for students to remember the information. Yet humans have a limited capacity for the amount of information we can remember. A seminal study on memory showed that we can remember seven, plus or minus two, new pieces of information before we reach capacity. So cramming more and more information into a presentation, or speaking faster if you run out of time, are not methods that would result in students remembering the information.

Tips for Effective Presentations

So, how do we develop effective presentations?

recognize that presentations are only effective for transmitting information and use them sparingly for this purpose
gain and keep your students’ attention – don’t compete with distractions and help them see where and how to focus their attention. You might visit this page about mobile devices in the classroom
help students discover the overall structure in the information being presented by chunking information and providing advanced organizers (outlines, visual aids, graphic organizers)
give students context for new information and help them make personal meaning of new information
find out the prior knowledge of your students and adjust the presentation accordingly
use relevant visuals and images to help them process and remember information
keep students actively involved, don’t give them the opportunity to get bored. Consider using clickers or group work for larger classes

Additional Resources:

Design Guide: Creating Effective Visual Presentations
Making Better PowerPoint Presentations

Accessibility Considerations

When designing a presentation or lecture, it is important to consider accessibility–remember that you have a diverse range of students in your course, and they may not all have the same range of abilities or be able to access materials in the same way.

Create accessible PowerPoints
Provide captions or transcripts for any video content
Provide slides or presentation notes ahead of time, and give the option for printed materials
Include an overview slide that outlines the main points of your lecture
Use accessible fonts , color contrast ratios , and alt-text when necessary
If you have a microphone in your class, be sure to use it!

For more accessibility tips, check out these resources:

Instructional Accessibility Course Planning
Equal Access: Universal Design of Your presentation

Ed Tech Tools for Presentations

Another helpful tip for designing effective presentations and lectures is to utilize educational technology (ed tech) tools that promote engagement and active learning. Some popular tools for encouraging student engagement during a lecture or presentation include:

TopHat : provides the ability for instructors to incorporate interactive content, create interactive slides, graded questions, videos, discussions, polls, and more.
Padlet : a digital bulletin board that is collaborative and interactive where you can create a single or multiple “walls” for various posts.
Mentimeter: a presentation tool that uses quizzes, polls and word clouds engage students for in-person and virtual classrooms.
Nearpod : an online tool that allows you to add interactive elements to your PowerPoint slides and pre-recorded lecture videos.
Kahoot: a digital game-based student response system that allows teachers and learners to interact through competitive knowledge games using existing infrastructure, like phones or laptops.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to incorporating outside tools into your lectures or presentations. Should you wish to incorporate any of these tools, it’s crucial to be mindful of privacy concerns, such as FERPA, potential accessibility issues, and to ensure that the tools you select align with the learning outcomes or goals of your presentation or lecture.

Additional Ed Tech Resources:

Picking the Right Ed Tech Tool
DU Ed Tech Knowledge Base
Ed Tech FAQ

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Creating a Lesson, Lecture or Presentation

Creating a lecture or presentation.

When creating a lecture or presentation, there are a few rules to keep in mind. These rules are suggestions that can help you as a presenter, and also help your audience follow along better.

The 10-20-30 rule.

Guy Kawasaki created this rule when he worked at Apple. 10 refers to the number of slides you have in your presentation. Obviously this only applies if you are using slides to enhance your presentation or lecture. 20 refers to the time limit of the presentation. This means you should spend about 2 minutes per slide. A change every 2 minutes is great because it helps the audience refocus. It keeps the lecture from getting boring and repetitive because the change comes with a visual cue. 30 refers to the font size on the slides. A 30 point font is great for visibility. It also limits you from putting too much text on your slides.

The Chunking Rule

Students will have an easier time remembering something if you split it into 3, 5, or 7 chunks. Seven chunks of information are the highest you should go. How did this rule come about? Think about things we have to remember. Street numbers, postal codes, zip codes, phone numbers, and email addresses. They all contain small chunks. Phone numbers are 7 chunks. 332 3333. If we start by giving the area code, we more than likely will forget the last three numbers and remember the area code. Chunks of limited information are easy to remember. They can compile into short lists, and can recall in the same way. Although this does not help with deep learning, it will help with recall and hopefully get the student pointed in the right direction.

Don’t read off of your PowerPoint or cue cards. Having some notes as prompts is great. Your PowerPoint can work as a prompt as well, but you need to be familiar with the subject matter and the material, so the prompts make sense. No one wants to sit through a lecture in which you read off of the projection screen or off of the sheets of paper piled in front of you.

Eye Contact

Make sure you look at your students. If you follow the rule of not reading, then this should provide you with ample opportunity to make eye contact. It will help you connect with your students, and allow you to see if they are getting that “lost” look or the “intrigued” look.

Be Engaging

Incorporate some short, funny stories or anecdotes into your lecture or presentation. These stories help get your point across and keep your students from losing interest. Don’t plan any gestures to help your story along, but feel free to use gestures if the mood and the story allow for it. You don’t have to be a comedian, but provide the students with something of interest that helps them create connections.

Put yourself in the audience

If you were a student in your class, and you had to attend your lecture, would you want to stay? Was it entertaining? If not, think of some things that would enhance the message you need to convey. Would a visual help? How about a story? Be creative and have fun with your presentation. If you enjoy giving the presentation, your students will notice. If you just read in front of them, your students will notice. Although sometimes it seems as though you have lost their attention, they are still cognizant of instructors that want to be lecturing even less than they want to be listening to the lecture. So have fun and let your students enjoy and have fun with you.

Let your stories be told, and let the ideas flow. Don’t rush through the presentation. Consciously slow yourself down. Take pauses for emphasis. Pauses and eye contact can become a useful part of your lecture.

Now that we have covered the rules of presenting think about the content of the presentation.

What ideas do you want to convey to your students during that lecture? Write these ideas down. Ask yourself if it is feasible to express all of these ideas in a single lecture.

The best way to decide which ideas need to be lectured on is to look at your course design. Look at your student learning objectives and course objectives. Does your lecture provide information that will help students meet their learning objectives? If not, why are you covering it in a lecture. Stories, photos and graphs that help reinforce main ideas fit in. They may not be the main idea you want to convey, but can work as aids to help you convey those ideas in an entertaining way.

Once you have prepared your lecture or presentation, give it a try. Try presenting in your office, or run your presentation past some peers. See what they think. Do they have any feedback for you? How can you incorporate their suggestions? If you need a place to practice your presentations, you can use one of the meeting rooms in the Teaching Centre. Just call ahead to make sure it’s available. We even have staff that could act as your test audience if that would help.

The following link recaps the information above and provides you with a few more tips. http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/18-tips-for-killer-presentations.html

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Visit our reference page that looks at whether neuroscience actually results in better instruction. You'll be absolutely surprised at the consensus of the experts. Written for teachers but equally applicable to training.

There are several key differences between delivering a training program, and delivering a lecture or a presentation.

Flow Of Information

A major difference between training and lecture/presenting has to do with how the interactions and information flow. In a lecture or presentation, the major flow goes from the speaker to the audience. Generally, that means that interactions between audience members is low, as is interaction starting from the audience members to the speaker.

Training, however, is far more flexible with information going in all directions -- it's far more interactive.

Different Purposes Or Outcomes Expected

The second major difference has to do with the purpose of the event, or the outcomes expected.

Presentations and lectures are informational in that the attendees are exposed to information, but the emphasis is on exposure rather than learning that can be applied in the real world. It's not that presentation information is irrelevant to real world behavior -- it's that the emphasis is different.

Training, however, is designed to alter the capabilities of attendees (learners), and to build new capabilities that can be used "out there".

One way to make the distinction is to say that presentations involve "learning about", while training involves "learning to do".

Presentations Have Wider Range Of Outcomes

While training should always be about "learning to do", presentations actually have many more possible outcomes, which need to reflected in how the presentation is planned and executed. Presentations can be of various types, depending on whether the presentation is intended to:

Lectures Often Half-Way Between Presentation and Training

It's not quite that simple, because lectures are often part of training, and are intended to result in learning, while that's not the case with all presentations. Still, lectures involve an information flow from teacher to learners that is primarily one way.

That's why, in educational and "learning to" situations, it's important to alter the flow somewhat so that lecture segments are interspersed with thinking exercises, and most important questions to audience members.

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How To Prepare A Lecture Presentation?

July 5, 2022

Table of Content

Oral presentations delivered to a group of students by a teacher or subject-matter specialist are known as lectures. They are frequently used when the goal is to impart a lot of knowledge to a big group of students and are the normal information distribution method in academic settings.

Presentations are visual aids that summarize facts or information for simple and clear understanding, typically using illustrations and flowchart graphics. Most commonly made on a Powerpoint Presentation application. These presentations can be referred to as lecture presentation used in lectures. A good lecture presentation can raise interest level, helps in enhancing understanding, and increase retention.

Some points to remember while making a presentation are

It’s about the students .

The main goal of a presentation is to help the students learn . Therefore, before starting the PowerPoint application, mentally prepare your presentation, and utilize slides for material that is best conveyed graphically. Additionally, ensure the material is prepared properly, that it is simple for students to understand, and is delivered in a way that will help them recall it after hearing it once.

Reduce text

Less is more. For learning and memory retention, narration is superior to written words. Your main goal is to be clear, not exhaustive. Mostly, this implies writing your bullet points in short phrases rather than complete sentences. To make the presentation’s content revision simpler, it will be beneficial to make the presentation in the form of lecture notes that may be shared with the students afterward.

Since most students desire to study less, using short sentences to make studying simpler would allow them to absorb all the essential material while giving the impression that they are studying less.

Reduce distractions

Simple is preferable to dazzling.

Choose basic, unobtrusive backgrounds; simple, easy-to-read typefaces (small fonts irritate viewers); and simple, fluid transitions. Leave out any pointless graphics, animations, or noises. Although a presentation with more creativity could be appealing, it will keep the students from paying attention to the lecture. The images or animations, which are not essential, make it simple to find it interesting and become sidetracked.

Even though the students must pay attention to the lecture, if they only watch the presentation for enjoyment, the presentation won’t be able to accomplish its main objective, i.e., to educate the students.

Plan effectively

An excellent image speaks a thousand words, but a poor one requires explanation. Pick images, charts, and videos that amply illustrate the argument you’re trying to make. Although a presentation with more creativity could be appealing, it will keep the students from paying attention to the lecture.

The images or animations, which are not essential, make it simple to find it interesting and become sidetracked. Even while the students must pay attention, if they only watch the presentation for enjoyment, the presentation won’t be able to accomplish its main objective.

Engage the students in conversation

Don’t overlook them or repeat the slides. Lecturers who only read their slides are said to bother students. Instead, print out a copy of your bulleted lists and talk about the key topics while facing the audience (or position the classroom computer so you can look at the monitor screen while facing the audience).

The students can be kept engaged by actively having conversations with them by asking questions, requesting their opinions on the subject, or even checking on their comprehension of the recent slide. To keep the students’ attention, it is important to include adequate examples and avoid reading repeated material that has already been addressed in the presentation.

Get the Proper Gear

It’s also vital to consider the equipment utilized to deliver the lesson. Suppose the equipment is not operating well or the presentation is not completely visible to all students. In that case, the continuity and flow of the lecture may be disrupted, which will lead to a failure of the lecture presentation.

Equipment like a typical computer system or laptop with an internet connection, external speakers, and a CD/DVD drive, with the computer output shown through a digital projector, are used for delivering a presentation

Reserve time for remarks

Allow time for improvising, queries, and the occasional detour. Students may become confused if they are forced to study all the time without having enough time to fully understand the lesson. It is crucial that students stay alert and not bored during a lecture since uninterested pupils seldom pay attention to what is being spoken.

Teachers typically utilize various techniques to keep their students’ attention while still giving them enough time to process the presented information, such as occasional examples, brainteasers, and sharing personal experiences. The mid-presentation refreshment break and the opportunity for questions or feedback at the conclusion are crucial.

Teachers must also have proper body language and eye contact to keep students’ attention on them and the lecture.

If you are passionate about teaching and wish to expand your online coaching business then Classplus is here to help. At Classplus, we give instructors cutting-edge, innovative tools to deliver lectures to students. This helps teachers remain calm and not feel overburdened while assisting them with any other concerns they might have regarding their teaching profession. Get your own app and reach out to larger number of students. To know more talk to our experts now!

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Lesson vs Lecture: Unraveling Commonly Confused Terms

Are you confused about the difference between a lesson and a lecture? Many people use these words interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between a lesson and a lecture, and why it’s important to understand the nuances of each term.

Let’s define what we mean by each term. A lesson is a teaching or learning experience that is focused on a specific topic or skill. It is often interactive and may involve activities or discussions to help reinforce the material being taught. A lecture, on the other hand, is a more formal presentation that is typically delivered by an expert on a subject. It may involve visual aids or other materials, but the focus is on the speaker conveying information to the audience.

While both lessons and lectures are valuable tools for learning, they serve different purposes. Lessons are more hands-on and allow for greater interaction and engagement with the material. They are often used to teach practical skills or to reinforce concepts that have already been introduced. Lectures, on the other hand, are better suited for introducing new information or providing an overview of a complex topic. They are often used in academic settings or as part of professional development programs.

Now that we’ve established the difference between a lesson and a lecture, let’s explore some of the benefits and drawbacks of each approach to learning.

Define Lesson

A lesson is an educational session that is designed to teach a specific subject or skill. It is typically delivered by a teacher or instructor, and is intended to help students gain a deeper understanding of a particular topic.

A lesson can take many different forms, depending on the subject matter and the needs of the learners. It may involve a lecture, discussion, demonstration, or hands-on activities. The goal of a lesson is to help students acquire knowledge and skills that they can apply in real-world situations.

Lessons are often structured around specific learning objectives, and may be part of a larger curriculum or course of study. They may also be tailored to meet the needs of individual learners, such as those with different learning styles or abilities.

Define Lecture

A lecture is a formal presentation that is intended to convey information to an audience. It is typically delivered by an expert in a particular field, and is often part of an academic or educational setting.

Lectures can take many different forms, but they generally involve a speaker presenting information to an audience using a structured format. This may include visual aids such as slides or videos, and may involve interaction with the audience through questions and answers or discussion.

The goal of a lecture is to provide information on a particular topic, and to help the audience gain a deeper understanding of that topic. Lectures are often used in academic settings, such as in universities or colleges, but they may also be used in other contexts such as conferences or public events.

Comparison of Lesson vs Lecture
Lesson	Lecture
Designed to teach a specific subject or skill	Intended to convey information to an audience
Delivered by a teacher or instructor	Delivered by an expert in a particular field
May involve a lecture, discussion, demonstration, or hands-on activities	Generally involves a structured presentation using visual aids
Structured around specific learning objectives	Structured around conveying information on a particular topic
Part of a larger curriculum or course of study	May be part of an academic or educational setting, or used in other contexts such as conferences or public events

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right word in a sentence is crucial for effective communication. In this section, we will discuss the proper usage of the words “lesson” and “lecture.”

How To Use “Lesson” In A Sentence

A lesson is a unit of instruction or a period of learning. It can be used as a noun or a verb. Here are some examples of how to use “lesson” in a sentence:

She learned an important lesson about honesty.
The teacher gave a lesson on fractions.
He was taking driving lessons.
The coach taught the team a valuable lesson about teamwork.

When using “lesson” as a verb, it means to teach or instruct someone. Here are some examples:

The mother was trying to lesson her child’s anxiety.
The professor was trying to lesson the confusion among the students.

How To Use “Lecture” In A Sentence

A lecture is a formal talk given to an audience, usually in an academic or professional setting. Here are some examples of how to use “lecture” in a sentence:

The professor gave a lecture on the history of art.
The guest speaker delivered a lecture on climate change.
She attended a lecture on financial planning.
The company CEO gave a lecture to the employees on the importance of teamwork.

It is important to note that “lecture” is not a verb. Instead, you can use the verb “to lecture” to describe the act of giving a lecture.

By understanding the proper usage of “lesson” and “lecture,” you can communicate more effectively and avoid common grammar mistakes.

More Examples Of Lesson & Lecture Used In Sentences

In order to further understand how the terms “lesson” and “lecture” are used in everyday language, here are some examples:

Examples Of Using Lesson In A Sentence

My piano teacher gave me a lesson on how to play the scales.
She learned her lesson after touching the hot stove.
The history lesson was about the American Revolution.
He gave a lesson on how to properly use the equipment in the gym.
The cooking lesson taught me how to make a delicious lasagna.
The swimming lesson was cancelled due to thunderstorms.
After failing the test, he realized he needed to study the lesson more thoroughly.
The lesson on teamwork was incredibly valuable for the new employees.
She taught a lesson on the importance of recycling.
The golf lesson helped improve his swing technique.

Examples Of Using Lecture In A Sentence

The professor gave a lecture on the history of the Roman Empire.
She attended a lecture on the benefits of meditation.
His lecture on quantum physics was difficult to follow.
The guest speaker gave a lecture on climate change.
The lecture series on entrepreneurship was informative and inspiring.
He fell asleep during the long lecture on philosophy.
The lecture hall was filled to capacity for the guest speaker’s talk.
She took detailed notes during the lecture on Shakespearean literature.
The guest lecturer discussed the impact of social media on society.
The professor’s lecture on genetics was fascinating and engaging.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “lesson” and “lecture,” many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Lesson” And “Lecture” As Synonyms

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “lesson” and “lecture” as synonyms. While they both involve teaching, they have different meanings. A lesson is a unit of instruction, while a lecture is a formal oral presentation given to an audience.

Using “Lesson” When Referring To A Lecture

Another mistake people make is using “lesson” when referring to a lecture. This is incorrect because a lecture is not the same as a lesson. A lecture is a formal presentation given to an audience, while a lesson is a unit of instruction that may or may not involve a lecture.

Using “Lecture” When Referring To A Lesson

Similarly, using “lecture” when referring to a lesson is also incorrect. While a lecture may be a part of a lesson, a lesson is not the same as a lecture. A lesson is a unit of instruction that may involve a lecture, discussion, or other teaching methods.

Not Considering The Context

Another mistake people make is not considering the context in which the words are used. For example, in a classroom setting, “lesson” and “lecture” may be used differently than in a business setting. It’s important to consider the context and use the appropriate word accordingly.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, here are some tips:

Be mindful of the differences between “lesson” and “lecture”
Consider the context in which the words are being used
If in doubt, consult a dictionary or style guide for guidance

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “lesson” and “lecture,” context plays a crucial role. Depending on the situation and the audience, the use of one word over the other might be more appropriate.

Examples Of Different Contexts And How The Choice Between Lesson And Lecture Might Change:

Academic Setting: In an academic setting, the word “lecture” is often used to refer to a formal talk given by a professor or instructor. The lecture is usually structured and follows a predetermined outline. On the other hand, a “lesson” might refer to a more interactive session where students are encouraged to participate and engage with the material. In this context, the choice between lesson and lecture might depend on the teaching style of the instructor and the learning goals of the course.
Business Setting: In a business setting, the word “lesson” might be used to refer to a specific skill or knowledge that needs to be learned or improved upon. For example, a sales manager might provide a lesson on effective communication skills to their team. On the other hand, the word “lecture” might be used to refer to a more formal presentation or keynote speech given at a conference or seminar. In this context, the choice between lesson and lecture might depend on the purpose of the presentation and the audience’s expectations.
Personal Development: In a personal development context, the word “lesson” might be used to refer to a specific insight or realization gained through experience. For example, someone might say they learned a valuable lesson about the importance of time management after missing an important deadline. On the other hand, the word “lecture” might be used to refer to a more formal educational talk given at a community center or library. In this context, the choice between lesson and lecture might depend on the format of the event and the intended audience.

Overall, the choice between lesson and lecture depends on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the audience, the purpose of the communication, and the desired outcome when choosing between these two words.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the usage of lesson and lecture is generally clear-cut, there are certain exceptions where the rules might not apply. Here are some examples:

1. Informal Settings

In informal settings, such as conversations with friends or family, the distinction between lesson and lecture may not be as important. In such cases, both words can be used interchangeably to convey the same idea.

2. Creative Writing

In creative writing, authors may intentionally use lesson and lecture in unconventional ways to achieve a certain effect. For example, a character might deliver a lecture that is actually a lesson in disguise, or vice versa. In such cases, the meaning of the words depends on the context and the author’s intention.

3. Regional Variations

There may be regional variations in the usage of lesson and lecture. For example, in some parts of the world, lecture may be used more frequently than lesson, or vice versa. It is important to be aware of these differences when communicating with people from different regions.

4. Academic Disciplines

In some academic disciplines, such as law or medicine, the words lesson and lecture may have specific meanings that differ from their general usage. For example, in law, a lecture may refer to a formal talk given by a legal expert, while a lesson may refer to a specific topic covered in a course. It is important to be familiar with the conventions of the particular discipline when using these words.

Overall, while the rules for using lesson and lecture are generally straightforward, there are situations where exceptions may apply. By being aware of these exceptions, we can communicate more effectively and avoid confusion.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between a lesson and a lecture, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Below are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these terms in sentences.

Choose the correct word (lesson or lecture) to complete each sentence:

The teacher gave a ___________ on the history of Ancient Rome.
I learned a valuable ___________ about teamwork during the group project.
The professor delivered a three-hour ___________ on quantum physics.
My piano teacher gave me a ___________ on how to play a new song.
The coach taught us an important ___________ on how to improve our batting technique.

Answer Key:

Write a sentence using the correct form of lesson or lecture:

_____________ on the importance of time management.
My history teacher gave us a valuable _____________ on the American Revolution.
I learned an important _____________ about communication during my internship.
The coach taught us a new _____________ on how to improve our defense.
After the _____________ on the scientific method, the students were able to conduct their own experiments.

By completing these practice exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of lesson and lecture in everyday writing and conversation.

After exploring the differences between lessons and lectures, it is evident that these terms should not be used interchangeably. Lessons are more interactive, engaging, and student-centered, while lectures are more passive and teacher-centered. It is important to understand the distinction between these two approaches to teaching and learning, as they can have a significant impact on student outcomes.

Some key takeaways from this article include:

1. Lessons Are More Effective Than Lectures For Active Learning

Research has shown that lessons, which are designed to encourage active learning, can lead to better student engagement, retention, and understanding. By contrast, lectures, which are typically more passive, can be less effective in promoting deep learning.

2. Teachers Should Strive To Create Interactive And Engaging Lessons

Teachers who want to promote active learning should focus on creating lessons that are interactive, engaging, and student-centered. This can involve using a variety of teaching methods, such as group work, discussions, and hands-on activities.

3. Students Should Be Encouraged To Take An Active Role In Their Own Learning

Students who are actively engaged in their own learning are more likely to succeed academically and develop important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. Teachers should encourage students to take an active role in their own learning by providing opportunities for self-directed learning and reflection.

In conclusion, understanding the difference between lessons and lectures is crucial for effective teaching and learning. By creating engaging and interactive lessons, teachers can help students to develop important skills and achieve better learning outcomes. We encourage readers to continue learning about grammar and language use, as this can have a significant impact on their academic and professional success.

Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.

PowerPoint 101: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Are you struggling with PowerPoint? You need a quick design in PowerPoint but don't know where to start? Don't worry, you have nothing to be ashamed of.

In this article, we're going to refresh the most important PowerPoint basics so you can take advantage of this Microsoft software and create high-impact presentations at any time!

Millions of users worldwide use Microsoft 365 services , making PowerPoint the presentation design software with the highest market share. And with good reason! PowerPoint's features stand out for its usability and originality . We can tell you that PowerPoint is pretty intuitive software, and it's a great option to choose when working with presentations on a daily basis. So, are you ready for a quick PowerPoint 101 class?

Let ' s see what you ' re going to learn today with this PowerPoint Guide :

What is PowerPoint?

What are the best uses of powerpoint, powerpoint basics: what are the components of powerpoint workspace, mastering powerpoint: what are the main features of powerpoint, what are powerpoint templates and where to find them, time to practice how to make a presentation in powerpoint.

Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation design software that is part of Microsoft 365 . This software allows you to design presentations by combining text, images, graphics, video, and animation on slides in a simple and intuitive way.

Over time, PowerPoint has evolved and improved its accessibility to users. For this reason, it has been adapted to the main operating systems and modalities:

PowerPoint Online

Additionally, you can use Word and Excel in this online version. That way, you'll be able to make real-time changes in the cloud without fearing losing your files. Sounds great, right?

PowerPoint has a versatile range of uses. Here's a list of the different tasks you can complete with this presentation design software:

Business presentations or Pitch decks.
Marketing, Sales and HR plans.
Project briefs and timelines.
Inductions to new employees.
Seminars and educational classes.
Professional portfolio of photos or designs.
Presentations of a research summary.
Presentations for special occasions.

These are just a few examples of the multiple possibilities this Microsoft software offers. Your imagination is the only limit!

Stay tuned as we continue with this PowerPoint 101 Guide...

PowerPoint 101: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

In order to deeply understand this presentation design software, you need to recognize its main components. Now it's time to learn about the PowerPoint basics!

A quick note before going any further: when opening PowerPoint, some of the commands in the ribbons will look grayish and won't be highlighted when you hover the mouse over them.

This happens since some commands need to be selected in order to function. For example, if you want to change the color of a text, you first need to select it.

That being said, let's start with this Guide for PowerPoint beginners:

PowerPoint Main Window

The first aspect to learn is PowerPoint Main Window. To facilitate the explanation, we've organized its main elements with numbers from 1 to 10:

Based on that, the main components of PowerPoint window are the following:

1. Quick Access Toolbar: allows you to customize commands to have them at hand. You only have to select it and go to "More commands."

2. Title Bar: shows you the name of your file and other "Suggested options" like Slide Master View . These options will vary depending on the use you give to the commands.

3. File Tab: you will see the Home Menu (PowerPoint backstage) by selecting it. There, you can create a new presentation, save it, print it, export it, and many other options.

4. The Ribbon: it's where PowerPoint tabs and tools are. These tools can also be called "commands" or “features.”

5. More Button or Down Arrow: these arrows allow you to view more tools or layout options in PowerPoint.

6. Slides Pane: shows your slides in thumbnail size. By right-clicking, you can access additional options for customizing each slide. Perfect for PowerPoint beginners!

7. Slide: PowerPoint's blank canvas and the frame to be seen when presenting the file.

8. Placeholders: they are dotted boxes that will store your content.

9. Status Bar: allows you to view the slide number, grammatical errors, speaker notes, and the comments on your file.

10. Zoom: allows you to enlarge or minimize your PowerPoint workspace. The range goes from 10 to 400%.

PowerPoint Tabs

The PowerPoint tabs are the control desk of your presentation . Since PowerPoint's features are too many, they're organized in tabs.

You can come and go between tabs as you need. Once you click on a tab, it will open its ribbon, and there, you'll be able to see all the tools related to that particular category.

This PowerPoint tutorial for beginners will give you an overview of all PowerPoint tabs . Pay attention to the following list:

Transitions Tab
Animations Tab
Slide Show Tab
Recording Tab

1. Home Tab

The Home tab is the most common tab of PowerPoint. This is the tab you'll probably use the most if you're designing a presentation deck from scratch.

It allows you to add new slides and change the text characteristics : font, size, boldness, underlining, alignment, etc. If you've ever used Microsoft Word, these features will be familiar to you.

Also, you will find commands to edit the characteristics of the geometric shapes you insert. This includes: fill color, line color, sharpe effects, among others.

2. Insert Tab

The Insert tab is exactly what its name says it is. In this ribbon, you'll find all the options concerning adding a new element to your PowerPoint presentation .

You can insert a picture, some geometric shapes, icons, WordArt graphics, among others. We can tell you that this tab is really helpful for PowerPoint beginners!

For example, if you have a lot of data in PowerPoint , you could add a chart or diagram to show your information in a more visual way. Also, you can embed videos or music into PowerPoint really easily.

PowerPoint tip for beginners: To be able to write text on your slides, you need a text box. So, if you're designing your presentation from scratch, remember to go first to the Insert tab and add a text box to start writing.

3. Design Tab

If you are one of those people who enjoy choosing the design of a PowerPoint presentation, this tab will be your favorite.

The Design tab offers a wide range of premade designs , allowing you to get more polished slides. Even better, if you explore its ribbon, you can adjust the color palette and change the overall style of your PowerPoint deck.

The PowerPoint interface, as this basic PowerPoint Tutorial, is really intuitive. We believe that you won't have any problem with this tab!

4. Transitions Tab

Using transitions in PowerPoint is a dynamic way to move from one slide to the next during a presentation. This feature is PowerPoint's stamp, so don ' t miss it!

Some PowerPoint transitions are really classic, like wiping the old slide to present the new one. Others are somewhat over the top, like the “Vortex” or the “Airplane” effect.

If you click on each kind of transition, you'll see a preview on how it would look when presenting. Really cool, right?

5. Animations Tab

In case you want to add special effects for certain elements in your slides , the Animations tab in PowerPoint will interest you.

Like the Transitions tab, you will find various animation effects in this ribbon. It's a matter of trying and choosing the best one according to your needs!

6. Slide Show Tab

As its name says, the Slide Show tab is about presenting your slides . We really like that it gives you several options to show up your presentation!

Considering that you're a PowerPoint beginner, you're not likely to use the Slide Show tab very much.

But if you're curious about this command, you must read our article: How to Make a PowerPoint Slideshow that Runs Automatically?

7. Review Tab

The Review tab is not often used by PowerPoint beginners either.

However, if your job is related to writing or if you work at an international company, this tool can be extremely useful!

With this tab, you can check the slide's spelling, translate the text in real-time, and add comments to your slides . This last function can be helpful to give feedback to a colleague.

8. View Tab

This View tab allows you to change the view of your PowerPoint slides and make handouts from them, among other things.

As you can see, the majority of its commands are really specific. So you won't have any issues while designing, test and see!

In this section, our favorite command for PowerPoint beginners is Slide Master . Explore more about this tool in our guide!

9. Recording Tab

In the last versions of this design presentation software, PowerPoint added the Recording tab. As its name says, it allows you to record all your presentation slides .

This ribbon has advanced commands, so the most common action for a PowerPoint beginner is to take a screenshot or record the screen sequentially .

10. Help Tab

Finally, there is the Help tab. If you have any problem or question concerning how to use PowerPoint, you may go here to look for a solution.

In the latest versions, Windows has added a “Show Training” option. You can click this command to practice the PowerPoint basics since it will download training templates.

As a beginner in PowerPoint, you must recognize the objective of each PowerPoint tab to be able to master the software . But, in order to conduct an outstanding presentation deck, you also need to dominate its most important features. Let's see some of them in the next section!

If you feel ready to delve deeper into PowerPoint's tools, this section is for you.

As you may know , 24Slides specializes in creating outstanding presentations for any Design Project . So, we asked one of our experts about her favorite PowerPoint features, and we want to share them all with you!

Carmen Navarrete , Graphic Designer at 24Slides, highlighted the following features that will make your presentations stand out from the crowd:

PowerPoint Feature #1: Crop to Shape

This first PowerPoint feature is simple but effective!

Let's see how to use it:

First, choose an image you want to cut and insert it into your workspace.
Once inserted, select it with the mouse.
Go to the "Picture Format" tab.
Press the arrow of the "Crop" button (right side of the screen).
Select "Crop to Shape."
Choose your favorite shape and customize your PowerPoint presentation!

PowerPoint Feature #2: Merge Shapes

If you don't like any figure enough, you can create one from scratch!

This is possible thanks to the "Merge Shapes" option. Follow these steps to unleash your creativity:

First choose an image you want to cut.
Check the list of PowerPoint shapes (Insert tab > Shapes).
Choose two or three figures you want to merge (they can be the same figure).
Select the figures you are going to merge (see the image).
Once selected, go to the "Shape Format" tab.
Press the "Merge Shapes" option and the type of merge you want (test and choose!).

A new figure will appear, and you must fill it with the image from the first step.
Stay on the Shape Format tab and go to "Shape Fill" (button in the middle of the ribbon).
Select "Picture Fill" and browse for your image.
Select the image to fill your new figure, and that's it!

PowerPoint tip for beginners: When your merged figure is ready, paste the image to the background of your slide to achieve a better result. This way, you can use your image as a canvas and see if both elements fit well.

PowerPoint Feature #3: Insert Icons

This PowerPoint feature is quite easy to follow for PowerPoint beginners!

Just follow these steps:

Go to the Insert tab.
Select the "Icons" option.
A Microsoft 365 library will open, where you can search for the required icon.
Now, you must insert it into your presentation and adapt it to your design.
If you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription, you'll have access to a larger number of icons in PowerPoint.

PowerPoint tip for beginners: If you want to learn more about icons in PowerPoint, read our article on How to Use Icons to Make Amazing PowerPoint Presentations .

PowerPoint Feature #4: Insert SmartArt

PowerPoint's SmartArt is one of the most popular and accessible tools to dominate while learning about PowerPoint basics.

To use it in your slide deck, you must:

Select SmartArt.
See all SmartArt categories and choose your favorite based on your needs.
Add the text you have prepared and adapt it to your presentation.

We want to give you some ideas to master this SmartArt tool in PowerPoint: you can make timelines , flowcharts , and even a Venn diagram in just a few seconds. Try and see!

PowerPoint Feature #5: Remove Background

If you don't know how to use Photoshop and want to remove the background from an image, in this PowerPoint 101 Guide, we show you how:

First choose the image you want to remove the background from.
Insert the image in the PowerPoint workspace.
Select the image and go to the "Picture Format" tab.
Select "Remove Background" (first option on the left).
You can keep and remove parts of the image with the first two tools of the ribbon (see image).
Keep in mind that all the sections highlighted in purple will be deleted.

PowerPoint Feature: Remove Background of image

We recommend zooming in to keep or remove parts of the image with more detail.
Once you're done, press the "Keep Changes" button.
Finally, adapt the new image to your PowerPoint presentation.

PowerPoint tip for beginners: Choose a high-contrast photo or image for best results. In other words, the outline of the person or object you want to cut out must have clear edges and cannot blend with the image's background color.

PowerPoint Feature #6: Add Speaker Notes

The latest PowerPoint feature is a command you can use to prepare your speech before presenting to an audience.

Learning how to add speaker notes in PowerPoint is simple:

Select the slide that needs some notes.
Usually, there is a footer below the slide, but if not, you will have to activate it.
Go to the View tab and select "Notes."
The Speaker Notes section will appear, and you can add whatever you want!

PowerPoint tip for beginners: In case you want to practice your entire presentation and have a lot of notes, go to the View tab and select "Notes Page" (fourth command). You'll be able to see all your Speaker Notes faster!

PowerPoint Feature #7: PowerPoint Translator

If you've ever wondered how to translate your PowerPoint Slides, we'll explain the step by step here:

Go to the Review tab.
Select the text you want to translate.
Press the “Translate” button.
A panel will open on the right side of the screen.
Choose the language you need and you'll see the translation in real-time.
If you press Insert, the text will change to the new translation!

PowerPoint Feature #8: Screen Recording

The process of recording your screen in PowerPoint is straightforward and intuitive. Let's see:

Go to the “Record” or “Recording” tab.
Press the "Record Slide Show" button or the “From Beginning” button (depending on your PPT version).
A new window will open.
Select the red record button and start recording!
When you're done, select “Export.”
By default, the video will be 1080p. If you want to lower the video quality, go to "Customize export."
Name the video, save it to a folder and that's it!

As you may have noticed, this software has endless PowerPoint design options for beginners. We encourage you to try and test each functionality!

However, we're clear that PowerPoint has different features, so it can be hard to know where to start. That's why understanding PowerPoint basics is crucial if you truly want to master this software!

Our PowerPoint 101 Guide continues; stay tuned to discover more great stuff about this Microsoft software. Keep reading!

A PowerPoint template is a pre-made design that you can use for your own means, and that will save you a lot of time!

Templates in PowerPoint are a great resource for designing since all the structure is already done, and you only have to update the content . We can tell you they're the perfect resource for PowerPoint beginners!

They can be incredibly specific. For example, there are templates for a SWOT analysis or a complete Marketing report. Otherwise, templates can also be very general, with several slides with a similar design.

If you struggle with the artistic part of designing presentations, downloading PowerPoint templates will be a life changer!

How to download PowerPoint templates for free?

If you didn't know, 24Slides has an extensive repository of PowerPoint templates. But how to obtain them? It's really simple:

First, create an account on our Free Templates Website with the button “Register” (that way, you can download everything without problems!).
Think about the graphics you need and the ideal structure for your presentation deck (you can also change the color palette later!).
Download it in PowerPoint format (if you prefer it in Google Slides format, you'll also find this type in our repository).
Edit and change everything you need for your PowerPoint presentation!

24Slides Designers specialize in business and corporate PowerPoints, but you'll also find other types of templates on our website: Data templates, Timelines, Roadmaps, Matrixes, Diagrams, and more.

Keep in mind that a well-designed PowerPoint deck helps you communicate stronger messages to your audience . Don't waste this opportunity to make your presentation shine!

If you want to learn more about how to master PowerPoint, do not miss the last section. We'll show you some PowerPoint basics from the software itself!

A PowerPoint 101 Guide wouldn't be that useful with no examples. So, if you enjoy the step-by-step guides, this section is for you.

Below, we'll show you how to make a simple PowerPoint presentation. But first, here are some tips to be more efficient in the process:

Be clear about what type of presentation you're going to create (is it corporate, playful, or more creative?).
Make a draft with the most important information you need to add and, thus, generate a good structure in your presentation .
Get inspired by examples on the internet , but adapt them to your needs and audience.
If you will create a business presentation, keep in mind your brand identity .
Make sure your PowerPoint works , you may need to update to the latest version or pay for the subscription.

Step 1: Make a draft to structure your presentation

As we said before, writing a draft or script of your content will be vital to start on the right foot as a PowerPoint beginner.

This advice is so important that we choose it as the first step to learning how to make a PowerPoint presentation. Remember: Planning is key!

draft to structure a presentation in PowerPoint

Regarding the process of planning, we share some good practices:

If your presentation will be very long , write down all subtitles and content in a Word document. This will help you organize your ideas and give a correct sequence to your narrative. In addition to avoiding redundancies in the message you want to communicate.
If your presentation will use many visual resources , we recommend choosing high-quality images. This will help you have a starting graphic base. Some good free image repositories are Freepick , Unsplash , and Adobe Stock .
If your presentation is based on data , have all your results summarized or your most relevant conclusions at hand. The idea of making a PowerPoint presentation is to show your information in the simplest way possible for your audience.

Step 2: Create a new document in PowerPoint

Once you check that all the functions are working fine with the software, please open it and go to the File tab. If you've ever used Word or Excel, you'll probably find this Home Menu familiar.

In short, this is the main page of PowerPoint, where you can create a new presentation or open an older one. Let's see:

In order to follow this part of our PowerPoint Tutorial correctly, take into consideration the following points:

On the lower side of the screen, you'll find your recently opened PowerPoint files. This option is great for saving some time.
If you don't find the presentation you're looking for, click on the “Open” option at the left bar and find older files.
Don't forget to save your presentation with a relatable name so you won't lose sight of it!

Step 3: Choose the perfect design for your presentation

With your information ready in a draft, it's time to choose the design of your PowerPoint slide deck. You must imagine that the available design options are endless!

For practical reasons, you have three options regarding the design:

Start a design from scratch (very difficult for a PowerPoint beginner).
Choose an established PowerPoint design or layout.
Download a PowerPoint template and modify some details.

Don't worry if you don't know how to continue! In this PowerPoint 101 class, we're going to explain step by step the second option:

How do you set a default design in PowerPoint?

First, go to the Design tab.
Open the list of options by clicking on the third arrow.
Choose the design you like the most for your PowerPoint presentation.

If you want to explore more PowerPoint designs, there is a way to research online. For that, you only need to:

Go to the File tab (first tab, next to the Home tab).
Select "More themes" (see image).

Use the search engine and write the keyword you want (it can be related to your business or it can be a color).
Check the list of PowerPoint themes and choose your favorite.
Wait a few minutes while it loads and keep designing in PowerPoint!

How do you change the layout of one slide in PowerPoint?

In this PowerPoint 101 Guide, you will also learn how to configure the layout of each slide.

Keep in mind that to have a high-impact presentation, you must adapt your slides' design to the type of content you'll add. And using layouts is perfect for this purpose.

To change the layout type in PowerPoint, follow these steps:

Right-click on the slide you want to change.
Select the "Layout" option.
You will find more than ten layout models.
Choose the one that best suits your content.
Repeat these steps for each slide (if you wish or require).

How do you change the layout in PowerPoint

How do you customize your slides in PowerPoint?

The design process in this PowerPoint 101 Guide doesn't stop there.

You also can customize your presentation's color palette , font style, background format , and graphics effects .

Just go to:

Design tab > Variants.
Select Colors, Fonts, Effects or Background Styles (as you need).
If you're inspired and want to create your own background in PowerPoint, select Background Styles > Format Background.
Finally, custom your slides as you want!

Step 4: Add all your information to your presentation

Now, it's time to add all your information to your slides. If your script is long, take your time to copy each part of it.

In this PowerPoint Tutorial, we're going to show how our design is going so far. We design at your side!

Step 5: Add transitions or animations to your presentation

The stamp of PowerPoint is its transitions and animations! Naturally, our PowerPoint 101 has considered these essential commands.

If you want to add them to your presentation and make your speech more fluid, follow these steps:

Go to the tabs section of PowerPoint.
Select "Transitions" or "Animations" and try your favorite effects.
Remember that if you select Transitions, these will modify the entire slide, while Animations can be added to each element individually.

When choosing one Animation, you can eliminate it if you aren't 100% convinced. You only need to:

Select the Animation number that appears on the corner.
Press the "Delete" or "Backspace" button on your keyboard.
Choose another Animation in PowerPoint if you want!

How to add transitions or animations to PPT

This “PowerPoint for dummies” is full of tips and tricks! So here is one more: Don't overuse transitions or animations in PowerPoint ; they can make your presentation slower and unprofessional . Use this tool in a subtle way!

Step 6: Refine the final details

As always, every final product must be reviewed. Especially if you're learning the PowerPoint fundamentals with us.

We recommend reviewing each slide of your PowerPoint presentation one final time. In this process, you will be able to:

Add icons if your presentation requires it.
Change any image or illustration if they don't convince you.
Change transitions or animations.
Customize your presentation's color palette .
Proofread your slides' text or add more information.
Add speaker notes to your presentation.

Step 7: Slideshow your presentation

When your presentation is finished, it's essential to know how to make a PowerPoint slideshow. This way, you can see your slides from the exact same perspective your audience will see them.

To slideshow your presentation in PowerPoint, follow these simple steps for PowerPoint beginners:

Position yourself on your first slide.
Go to the bottom right of the software.
Select the "Slide Show" button (see image).
Have a look of your presentation by clicking on each slide or pressing the right arrow on your keyboard.
To go out from the Slide Show mode, you have to press the ESC key.

Now you can present your slides like an expert!

When you master this presentation design software, you'll be able to create amazing things in PowerPoint : infographics, diagrams, charts, pitch decks, business cards, calendars, you name it!

This was our PowerPoint Guide for beginners. We hope that our compilation today will be useful for conducting more professional presentations in the future and, why not, achieve all your goals!

Don't forget to share this PowerPoint 101 Guide with your co-workers or whoever you want!

Want to boost your beginner PowerPoint skills? Check out this content:

How to Work with Multiple Images in PowerPoint
How to Add a Timer to Your Powerpoint Presentations
PowerPoint Charts, Graphs, & Tables Made Easy | Tips & Tricks
How To Use PowerPoint Design Ideas - All Questions Answered!
36 Fun Icebreakers for Your Next Presentation
The Cost of PowerPoint Presentations: Discover the hidden expenses you might overlook!

Create professional presentations online

Tutorial: Save your PowerPoint as a Video

How To Convert Google Slides To PowerPoint and Vice Versa

How To Add Animations To PowerPoint

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Lecture/presentation/event: “conduct" vs. “carry out” vs. “hold”

When talking about a lecture, presentation, or event, what verb should be used?

As far as I understand, any of conduct , carry out , or hold are possible here. What’s the difference, and which of them (if any) is the best option?

I’m particularly interested in something like this:

Professor A is going to [ INSERT VERB ] a lecture about B next Thursday, February 14 th .

single-word-requests

2 Your request for best option is going to require substantially more context. "Conduct" and "carry out" suggest you are doing the actual lecture. "Carry out" is often used when someone else has given an order and you are the one executing the order, i.e., "carrying out" the order. "Hold" could be used even if you are only the sponsor or host, not the actual lecturer. – MetaEd Commented Feb 11, 2013 at 22:29
2 Or you could just use lecture as a verb, and skip all the trouble: Professor A is going to lecture about B next Thursday. – Kit Z. Fox ♦ Commented Feb 12, 2013 at 11:59

You give lectures and presentations. You can also deliver them. You hold an event if you organise it. You may conduct an experiment. You carry out some task.

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What is the difference between keynote, invited, and oral conference presentations?

I'm a PhD student, and I'll soon be presenting some of my work at a conference. In the program, my presentation is labeled "invited" while others have "oral" and others "Keynote". I am a bit confused, as I was never invited (maybe one of my professors was) and would like to know the difference between these kind of presentations.

presentation

1 it doesn't help that Apple makes presentation software labeled "Keynote". – Michael Commented Jun 29, 2015 at 4:36
related: academia.stackexchange.com/q/15611/258 – David LeBauer Commented Jun 30, 2015 at 0:45

2 Answers 2

Having an invited talk and not having been invited is unusual, indeed. Maybe your professor was invited and passed the ball to you; the best thing to do is asking him/her.

"Oral" also is unusual for me (but maybe not in other fields). As noted in the other answer, typically the hierarchy is, from most to least prestigious:

keynote/plenary : people who were invited to participate by the organizers, who may also be paying their expenses. Unlike the rest of the talks, they are not in parallel sessions or have a reduced level of parallelism. Sometimes, when there are no parallel sections, "keynote talks" are simply longer.
invited : talks given by speakers that were explicitly invited by the organizers. Typically (but not always), the travel and registration expenses of these speakers are paid by the organizers.
contributed : people who applied themselves for participation (and were accepted) and are going to give a talk, usually in parallel.
poster : people who are going to present a poster instead of giving an oral talk. Sometimes people are given the option to present either a contributed talk or a poster.

I assume that "oral" means "contributed" here.

A keynote speech or presentation is a high-profile talk intended to be of interest to everyone at the conference, and is one of the selling points of the conference. Invited speakers are those who have been invited to give a talk by the organisers of the conference. My assumption is that 'oral' is just every other talk, i.e. speakers who applied to the conference and were selected to deliver their presentation.

11 In conferences where there are multiple presentations going on at once in different rooms, the keynote presentations will typically be "plenary sessions" in a very large room with no other talks going on at the same time. Keynote or plenary speakers typically have much more time for their presentations (1 hour or 1.5 hours compared with a typical 20 minute or 30 minute slot for an individual invited or submitted presentation.) – Brian Borchers Commented Jun 28, 2015 at 16:19
1 Not all plenary talks are "keynote" talks. I have given the former at a number of conferences, but not the latter. A conference generally would have no more than one (or maybe two) keynote talks, given by the most featured senior researchers present. (If the conference has a banquet, it's usually on the same day as the keynote talk.) Even if there are numerous parallel sessions, there may be two or three plenary talks per day, and they can't all be keynotes. In fact, at a couple of conferences I attended, each session organizer gave a plenary talk. – Buzz Commented Jun 29, 2015 at 15:01

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COMMENTS

Is There a Difference Between Presentation and a Lecture?
The key difference between a presentation and a lecture is that a lecture is mostly given by authority and is typically formal in nature. It is mostly one-way communication. Whereas, a presentation can have an element of demonstration. It allows for collaboration and usually follows a story arc. While these slight nuances might be hard to grasp ...
Lecture vs. Presentation
In summary, lectures and presentations have distinct attributes that make them suitable for different contexts and purposes. Lectures are formal, structured, and focused on delivering comprehensive knowledge, while presentations are interactive, visual, and aim to engage the audience actively. Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses ...
Difference Between Presentation & Lecture
Summary - Presentation vs Lecture. Both presentations and lectures are used to educate people or students on a particular subject or a topic. The key difference between presentation and lecture is that presentation is a mode of communication used in different speaking situations, whereas lecture is a well-organized talk delivered with the ...
8 Evidence-Based Tips to Make Your Lectures More Engaging ...
Here are eight tips to make your lectures more engaging, and the material more memorable, based on the research. 1. Review Background Knowledge. It's hard for students to engage with your lecture if they can't make sense of it to begin with. In a 2019 study, researchers discovered that student comprehension of a topic was severely hampered ...
What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation
Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired ...
How to Make a "Good" Presentation "Great"
A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you're pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something ...
What Is a Presentation? Definition, Uses & Examples
What is a Presentation? A communication device that relays a topic to an audience in the form of a slide show, demonstration, lecture, or speech, where words and pictures complement each other. Why should you think of presentations as content? The beauty of content creation is that almost anything can become a compelling piece of content. It ...
What is a Presentation?
A Presentation Is... A presentation is a means of communication that can be adapted to various speaking situations, such as talking to a group, addressing a meeting or briefing a team. A presentation can also be used as a broad term that encompasses other 'speaking engagements' such as making a speech at a wedding, or getting a point across ...
Difference between a presentation and a lecture
Do you know the difference between a presentation and a lecture? In this article, I am going to discuss the difference between the two.
Presentation vs Lecture
Presentation vs lecture video. 13 differences between lecture and presentation are explained in this video. what is the presentation or lecture? The presenta...
Top Tips for Effective Presentations
Try a story (see tip 7 below), or an attention-grabbing (but useful) image on a slide. 6. Remember the 10-20-30 Rule for Slideshows. This is a tip from Guy Kawasaki of Apple. He suggests that slideshows should: Contain no more than 10 slides; Last no more than 20 minutes; and. Use a font size of no less than 30 point.
What Are Effective Presentation Skills (and How to Improve Them)
Presentation skills are the abilities and qualities necessary for creating and delivering a compelling presentation that effectively communicates information and ideas. They encompass what you say, how you structure it, and the materials you include to support what you say, such as slides, videos, or images. You'll make presentations at various ...
Presentation Skills 101: A Guide to Presentation Success
Lecture presentations appeal to the gradual introduction of complex concepts, following a structure set in the course's syllabus. These presentations often have a similar aesthetic as a group of professors or researchers created to share their knowledge about a topic. Personal experience does tell that course presentations often rely on ...
How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]
Apply the 10-20-30 rule. Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it! 9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule. Simplicity is key.
Learn the Pros and Cons of Lectures
Lectures are straightforward. Lectures allow teachers to deliver information to students as planned. This gives great control over what is taught and lets teachers be the sole source of information to avoid confusion. Lectures are efficient. A well-rehearsed lecture can be presented quickly and planned ahead of time to fit into a certain schedule.
Lecture
A lecture at the University of Bologna in Italy in the mid-fourteenth century. The lecturer reads from a text on the lectern while students in the back sleep. A lecture (from Latin: lēctūra 'reading') is an oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject, for example by a university or college teacher.
Preparing a Lecture
Preparing a lecture. This process can be broken into four parts: Defining and Limiting the Topic The topic of the lecture may be assigned or left to your discretion. Even when the topic is given in the syllabus, there still is latitude in terms of what angle you take and which aspects you choose to highlight. In order to narrow the scope of the ...
Presentation
A speaker giving a presentation using a projector. A presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product. [1] Presentations usually require preparation, organization ...
Presentations/Lectures
Introduction. Presentations and lectures are effective methods for transferring information. Information is part of nearly every college class, so you expect to see some presentations and lectures in most classes. However, presentations and lectures are not effective methods for teaching students thinking skills, for helping them learn to solve ...
Creating a Lesson, Lecture or Presentation
Creating a Lecture or Presentation. When creating a lecture or presentation, there are a few rules to keep in mind. These rules are suggestions that can help you as a presenter, and also help your audience follow along better. The 10-20-30 rule. Guy Kawasaki created this rule when he worked at Apple. 10 refers to the number of slides you have ...
Difference Between Training, Lecturing, and Presenting
A major difference between training and lecture/presenting has to do with how the interactions and information flow. In a lecture or presentation, the major flow goes from the speaker to the audience. Generally, that means that interactions between audience members is low, as is interaction starting from the audience members to the speaker.
How To Prepare A Lecture Presentation?
Oral presentations delivered to a group of students by a teacher or subject-matter specialist are known as lectures. They are frequently used when the goal is to impart a lot of knowledge to a big group of students and are the normal information distribution method in academic settings. Presentations are visual aids that summarize facts
Lesson vs Lecture: Unraveling Commonly Confused Terms
Define Lecture. A lecture is a formal presentation that is intended to convey information to an audience. It is typically delivered by an expert in a particular field, and is often part of an academic or educational setting. Lectures can take many different forms, but they generally involve a speaker presenting information to an audience using ...
PowerPoint 101: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation design software that is part of Microsoft 365. This software allows you to design presentations by combining text, images, graphics, video, and animation on slides in a simple and intuitive way. Over time, PowerPoint has evolved and improved its accessibility to users.
Lecture/presentation/event: "conduct" vs. "carry out" vs. "hold"
You give lectures and presentations. You can also deliver them. You hold an event if you organise it. You may conduct an experiment. You carry out some task. Share. Improve this answer. Follow edited Feb 12, 2013 at 0:10. answered Feb 12, 2013 at 0:00. The Frog The Frog ...
What is the difference between keynote, invited, and oral conference
A keynote speech or presentation is a high-profile talk intended to be of interest to everyone at the conference, and is one of the selling points of the conference. Invited speakers are those who have been invited to give a talk by the organisers of the conference. My assumption is that 'oral' is just every other talk, i.e. speakers who ...

Is There a Difference Between Presentation and a Lecture?

1. Event Format – Series vs Standalone

2. Authority vs Peer-to-Peer

3. In-depth Learning vs Introduction to a Subject

4. Length of a Lecture vs Presentation

5. Tonality – Formal vs Informal

Lecture vs. Presentation

Further Detail

Definition and Purpose

Delivery Style

Content Organization

Audience Engagement

Visual and Multimedia Elements

Time Management

Difference Between Presentation & Lecture

Key Takeaways

What is a Presentation?

What is a Lecture?

What is the Difference Between Presentation and Lecture?

Summary – Presentation vs Lecture

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8 Evidence-Based Tips to Make Your Lectures More Engaging—and Memorable

1. Review Background Knowledge

2. Take Breaks—They’re More Important Than We Think

3. Check In to Make Sure You’re Getting Through

4. Slow It (Way) Down

5. Provide Recorded Versions of Lectures

6. Incorporate Visual Aids and Graphic Organizers

7. Relate the Work to Students’ Lives

8. Be Yourself—and the Rest Will Follow

How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

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Presentation

What is a Presentation?

Why should you think of presentations as content?

The long and short of it

A general guide to presentation length:

Popular use cases for presentations…

Business types:

Presentation Examples – Short Form

Presentation Examples – Standard Form

Presentation Examples – Long Form

Understanding Content Quality in Examples

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Top Tips for Effective Presentations

How can you make a good presentation even more effective?

1. Show your Passion and Connect with your Audience

2. Focus on your Audience’s Needs

3. Keep it Simple: Concentrate on your Core Message

4. Smile and Make Eye Contact with your Audience

5. Start Strongly

6. Remember the 10-20-30 Rule for Slideshows

7. Tell Stories

Finding The Story Behind Your Presentation

8. Use your Voice Effectively

9. Use your Body Too

10. Relax, Breathe and Enjoy

What Are Effective Presentation Skills (and How to Improve Them)

What are presentation skills?

Why are presentation skills important?

Effective presentation skills

Verbal communication

Body language

Voice projection

Storytelling

Active listening

Stage presence

Self-awareness

Writing skills

Understanding an audience

How to improve presentation skills