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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

  • Carmine Gallo

best presentation for speaking

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. 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 together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

best presentation for speaking

  • Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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How to make a great presentation

Stressed about an upcoming presentation? These talks are full of helpful tips on how to get up in front of an audience and make a lasting impression.

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Blog Beginner Guides

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

By Krystle Wong , Jul 20, 2023

How to make a good presentation

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: 

best presentation for speaking

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.

best presentation for speaking

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.

best presentation for speaking

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 . 

Peloton Pitch Deck - Conclusion

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. 

best presentation for speaking

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.

Venngage Real Time Collaboration

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 . 

best presentation for speaking

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.

best presentation for speaking

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.

best presentation for speaking

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.

best presentation for speaking

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!

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

23 Best Presentation Ideas, Tips & Examples

Photo of author

Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

Are you getting ready to give a presentation? Whether you’re a first-time presenter or an experienced pro, getting some ideas and tips can be helpful. As an author, I’ve prepared and given dozens of presentations over the years, and I learned a few things.

This list will share some of my favorite presentation ideas, plus examples from real-world presentations. I hope you find these tips helpful as you prepare for your next presentation!

Presentations in a Nutshell

Make sure your slide presentation is well-organized and visually appealing. Avoid using too much text or overcrowding your slides. Instead, use graphics, images, and other creative elements to break up the text and add interest.

Practice your public speaking . This will help you to become more comfortable with the material and reduce the risk of nervousness or mistakes. Make eye contact, vary your vocal delivery, and use gestures to keep people interested.

Pro Tips for Making a Winning Presentation

best presentation for speaking

These 23 tips are sure to help you make a winning presentation.

Use a Minimalist Presentation Theme

When preparing an engaging presentation, choosing a theme that will appeal to your audience and help you communicate your key points effectively is important.

Minimalist themes can be great for nice presentations as they help create a clean and professional look. Here are some of my tips for creating a winning minimalist presentation:

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  • Use a limited color palette: Stick to two or three colors throughout your presentation to create a cohesive look.
  • Use simple fonts: Choose fonts that are easy to read and avoid using too many different font styles.
  • Use plenty of white space: Use negative space to break up text and make the slides easy on the eye.
  • Keep it concise: Edit your slides down to the essential information and avoid adding unnecessary text or images.
  • Use bold fonts to underline key ideas: Highlight important information your audience should remember.
  • Use a white background: It doesn’t distract people from the text.

Use an Eye-Catching Presentation Background Image

A presentation is only as good as its content and delivery. However, the background image is often overlooked as an important presentation element. The right image can help to set the tone, convey information, and grab the audience’s attention. Here are a few tips for selecting an eye-catching background image:

First, consider the overall theme and message of your presentation. The background image should support the central ideas of your talk. For example, if you’re giving a presentation on environmental sustainability, an image of a pristine forest would be more appropriate than an urban skyline.

Second, pay attention to color and contrast. The background image should be high-contrast so it’s easy to see on a projector screen. Use complementary colors.

Finally, choose an image with interesting details. A busy or complex image can be distracting, but an image with interesting textures or patterns can help to add visual interest to your presentation.

Alternate the Slide Layouts and Keep Your Presentation Engaging

The slide layout is a key component of an engaging presentation. When deciding on a slide layout, it is important to consider the overall tone and message of the presentation. For example, a more serious presentation may benefit from a traditional layout with bullet points and concise text.

On the other hand, a more creative presentation may benefit from an unconventional layout that includes images and meaningful quotes.

Regardless of the chosen layout, it is important to use white space effectively and to limit the number of bullet points on each slide.

Supplement Your Presentation With Printed Materials

No matter how well you know your material, there’s always a risk that you’ll freeze up or blank out during a presentation. That’s why it’s good to have a backup plan. One way to do this is to supplement your presentation with printed materials.

This way, even if you get tongue-tied, you’ll still be able to provide your audience with the information they need. Plus, having printed materials on hand can help to add an element of professionalism to your presentation.

Use Just One Chart or Graphic Per Slide

When giving a presentation, remember that less is more. One way is by using only one chart or graphic per slide. Too often, presentations are cluttered with too much information, making it difficult for the audience to process everything.

Focusing on one key point per slide can help ensure your audience understands your message. In addition, using a limited number of visuals can also make your presentation more visually appealing and easier to follow.

Use Contrasting Colors When Comparing Two Perspectives or Sides of an Argument

It is essential to use colors effectively when designing a presentation. The wrong colors can make text difficult to read or cause slides to appear cluttered and busy. However, the right colors can help improve a presentation’s clarity and overall impact.

One effective way to use color is to contrast two different perspectives or sides of an argument. For example, suppose you presented a new policy’s benefits and drawbacks. In that case, you could use blue to represent the benefits and red to represent the drawbacks.

This color contrast would help to visually highlight the key points of each side of the argument. In addition, it would also create a more engaging and visually-appealing presentation.

Use Simple Shapes to Integrate Your Photos Into the Slides

An image is worth a million words, and this is definitely true when it comes to presentations. To really capture your audience’s attention, it is important to integrate photos into your slides effectively.

One pro tip is to use shapes to do this. By placing a photo inside of a shape, you can create a more visually appealing slide that will also help to focus the viewer’s attention on the key elements of the image. In addition, using shapes can also help to add interest and variety to your presentation.

So next time you need a way to make your photos pop, consider using shapes to integrate them into your slides.

Make Visuals the Main Point of Your Presentation Slides

No matter how well-written or well-rehearsed your presentation is, if your slides are cluttered, confusing, or just plain boring, you will not get the reaction from your audience that you want.

So, what makes a great visual presentation? First and foremost, your slides should be visually appealing.

Use high-quality images, visual elements, and graphics, and limit how much text is on each slide. Secondly, your visuals should be clear and easy to understand. Avoid using jargon or acronyms that your audience might not be familiar with.

Finally, make sure your visuals are properly aligned with your presentation content. Each slide should have a specific purpose and shouldn’t veer too far off-topic. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your next presentation will wow your audience.

Summarize Your Points at the End

After hours of brainstorming, you’ve finally got your presentation nailed down. You know exactly what points you want to make, and you’re confident you can deliver a killer presentation. But before you get up in front of your audience, one more pro tip to keep in mind: always summarize your points at the end.

This will help to drive home the key takeaways from your presentation and ensure that your audience leaves with a clear understanding of your message.

To summarize effectively:

  • Start by briefly restating your main points.
  • Provide a brief overview of the evidence you presented supporting those points.
  • Finish with a call to action or a statement of what your audience will remember.

Present Any Connected Information in a Visually Similar Way

A successful presentation is engaging, informative, and visually appealing. To achieve this, it is important to connect related information in a visually similar way. Use colors to create associations between ideas. For example, you could use the same color for all the points in a particular section of your presentation.

This will help the audience to see the relationship between the points and remember the information more easily. Another way to connect related information is to use consistent font styles and imagery throughout your presentation. This will create a cohesive visual design that will help the audience to follow your argument more easily.

Condense Your Presentation Into a Memorable Line

While many factors contribute to a successful presentation, one of the most important is condensing your key points into a single, memorable line. A memorable line should be easy to understand and recall and capture the essence of your presentation in just a few words.

To create a memorable line for your next presentation, start by identifying the main point you want to communicate. Then, distill that point down to its essentials and express it in the clearest, simplest terms possible.

By crafting a well-designed and concise statement, you can ensure that your audience will remember your key points long after your presentation.

Use Simple or Minimalist Borders

Good design is about creating an impact with the least effort. The same principle applies to presentations. When it comes to borders, less is more (even with image frames).

Using simple or minimalist borders, you can create a clean and professional look that will effectively frame your content without overshadowing it. In addition, using fewer borders will give your presentation a more streamlined look, which can help to keep your audience focused on the most important elements.

Illustrate Complex or Confusing Concepts With Icons

In a fast-paced, constantly-connected world, getting your message across quickly and effectively can be difficult. That’s where icons come in. An icon is a simple image that conveys complex ideas or starts a difficult conversation.

Icons can be used in email marketing, website design, infographics, and pretty much anywhere else you need to communicate with your audience. And because they’re so easy to understand, they’re an ideal way to illustrate complex or confusing concepts.

Plan Your Presentation Idea Ahead of Time

Any good presentation starts with a solid plan. Knowing your audience, understanding your goal, and having a clear structure are all essential elements of a successful presentation. But before you can start planning, you need to come up with a great idea.

You might be tempted to wing it, but trust me – it’s worth taking the time to brainstorm ahead of time. By sitting down and coming up with a few different ideas, you’re more likely to find an approach that’s both creative and effective. And if you’re stuck, plenty of resources are out there to help you get started.

Use Memes (for Real, Though)

To make a winning presentation, you must engage your audience and speak to their interests. One of the best ways to do that is by using memes. Memes are a highly effective tool for emotional response and provide fun ways to present information; they’re like visual metaphors.

Just ensure that the memes you use are relevant to your topic and audience and that they don’t come across as too forced or unnatural. Done right, memes can help you connect with your audience and deliver a winning presentation.

Do the Math for Your Audience

When you’re crafting a presentation, it’s important to remember that not everyone in your audience will be an expert on your topic. Many people will likely be interested only in what you have to say. As a result, it’s important to ensure that your presentation is accessible to everyone.

One way is to use numbers and statistics sparingly. Instead of bombarding your audience with data, focus on providing key information that can be easily understood. You should also avoid using industry jargon or technical terms unless you’re certain everyone in the room will know what you’re talking about.

Give Your Presentation a Catchy Title That Anyone Can Remember

Beautiful presentations are only as good as their title. The title of your presentation is the very first thing that your audience will see, so it’s important to make sure that it’s catchy and memorable. Here are some of my tips to help you choose a winning title:

Keep it short and sweet

A title that’s too long or complicated will only confuse your audience and make them less likely to remember it. Stick to something simple and easy to remember.

Make it relevant

Your title should be directly related to the topic of your presentation. This will help people understand your presentation and make it more likely that they’ll recall it later.

Use keywords

Choose keywords that accurately describe your presentation and that people are likely to search for online. This will help make your presentation more visible and easier to find.

Be creative

Don’t hesitate to get creative with your title! A catchy, unique title is more likely to stick in people’s minds than a boring presentation title.

Split the Header Text From the Body Text

Keep in mind to split the header text from the body text. This will help to keep your audience focused on the most important information and make it easier for them to follow along.

Another helpful tip is to use high-contrast colors for your text and background. That’ll make it easier for people to read your slides, even if they are sitting in the back of the room. Finally, be sure to use simple, clear fonts that are easy to read.

Talk Directly to Your Audience

Rather than looking at the slides or reading from a script, make eye contact with individual members of the audience. This will help to engage them and hold their attention. Another important tip is to keep your presentation concise. No one wants to sit through a long, drawn-out speech, so focus on efficiently delivering the most important information.

Track the Steps in a Process

Making a winning presentation requires careful planning and execution. To start, you need to identify the goal of your presentation clearly. Are you selling a product, trying to raise awareness for a cause, or educating your audience about a certain topic?

Once you know the goal, you can start tracking the process steps. Creating an outline of your presentation will help you to organize your thoughts and ensure that your presentation flows smoothly.

Ask Your Audience Questions

Have you ever given a presentation that left your audience bored and unengaged? If so, you’re not alone. Many people need help to give effective presentations. However, there are some simple ways to make your presentations more engaging and memorable.

One pro tip is to ask your audience questions. This helps get them involved in the presentation and ensures that they pay attention. Asking questions also gives you a chance to gauge the audience’s level of understanding and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Show Off Your Credentials

Don’t just show off your presentation skills; brag about everything else, too! Whether you’re giving a presentation to potential clients or delivering a keynote speech, it’s important to establish your credibility upfront. One way to do this is by highlighting your relevant experience and expertise.

If you’re an experienced speaker, make sure to mention any previous talks or workshops you’ve given. If you have any relevant publications, list them as well. Any awards or recognition you’ve received can also help to boost your credibility.

Include Your Branding Throughout Your Presentation Ideas

Whether you’re giving a presentation to potential clients or your boss, you want to ensure that your presentation is on point. That means having great content and making sure that your branding is front and center.

Make sure your branding is included from the start. Your title slide should feature your company logo and colors. This helps to set the tone for the rest of the presentation and helps people to remember who you are.

Use branded templates. If you’re using PowerPoint or another presentation software, there’s no reason not to use templates that feature your company’s branding. This will help to keep your presentation looking professional and consistent throughout.

Incorporate your branding into the visuals you use. Whether you’re using photos, diagrams, or charts, try incorporating your company’s colors or logo in each visual. This will help people to associate your brand with the information they see.

Use branded giveaways. Consider giving away branded items like pens, notepads, or water bottles at the end of your presentation. This ensures people leave with something that will remind them of your company long after the presentation.

What Makes a Great Presentation?

best presentation for speaking

It doesn’t matter what type of presentation you’re working with; captivating presentations all have the same formula. Whether you’re delivering a business presentation or teaching a class, certain elements can make your presentation more effective. A good presentation should be well-organized, clear, and concise.

It’s important to have a strong opening that grabs the audience’s attention and a clear structure they can follow.

You should also use appropriate language for your audience and avoid jargon or acronyms they might need help understanding.

Visuals are another key element of a great presentation, whether using PowerPoint slides or physical props. They can help to break up the text, highlight important points, and make the presentation more engaging.

What Are the Best Fonts Used by Most Graphic Designers?

Some of the fonts that are found in the arsenal of every graphic designer are:

  • Proxima Nova
  • Bickham Script Pro
  • Garamond Pro

Benefits of Having Interactive Components in Your Presentation

Making sure the entire presentation is engaging and interactive is sure to keep them hanging around until the end. Whether it’s a corporate presentation, an educational presentation, or just something simple for a small event, always keep these tips in mind. 

More Engaging

One of the primary benefits of having interactive elements in your presentation is that it will be more engaging for your audience. Suppose your audience can participate in your presentation actively. In that case, they will be more likely to pay attention and retain the information you are presenting.

Additionally, interactive components can help to break up a long or dry presentation, keeping your audience interested and engaged.

Encourages Participation

Another benefit of having interactive components in your presentation is that it encourages participation from your audience. When people are actively involved in a presentation, they’re likely to ask questions and contribute to the discussion. This can help create a more dynamic and informative presentation as people are more likely to share their ideas and experiences.

Builds Rapport

Interactive components can also help you to build rapport with your audience. When you involve people in your presentation, they will feel you value their input and opinion. This can help to create a more positive relationship between you and your audience, making them listen and be receptive to your message.

Increases understanding

If done correctly, interactive components can also help increase understanding of the material you are presenting. When people are actively involved in learning, they are more likely to pay attention and retain information. Additionally, if people can apply what they are learning, they will be more likely to remember it in the future.

Helps People Connect

Interactive components can also help people connect during your presentation. People who work together on an activity or task will be more likely to interact and form connections. This can be beneficial if you are trying to promote networking or collaboration among your audience members.

The Bottom Line

I hope my creative presentation ideas helped you out! You can do so tons of things to make the best presentation design out there. Choose an eye-catching background image that supports the central ideas of the presentation. Alternate slide layouts to keep the presentation engaging. Supplement the presentation with printed materials. Wow, your audience with cool facts, stats, memes, charts, and branded giveaways.

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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.

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

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Home Blog Presentation Ideas How to Become Great in Public Speaking: Presenting Best Practices

How to Become Great in Public Speaking: Presenting Best Practices

How to Become Great in Public Speaking: Presenting Best Practices PPT Template

As the popular lore tells: you can talk your way into success. Indeed, great public speakers often hold top corporate positions, lead the nations, and rally others to take joint action. But what if talking isn’t your forte, especially when it comes to doing so in front of large audiences? In that case, you’ll benefit a lot from the public speaking tips and tricks we showcase in this post! 

What is Public Speaking? 

In the simplest terms, public speaking is the art of effective oral communication with one person or many. We talk to the public anytime we engage in a discussion with someone else.  

Everyone knows how to communicate with others and do so in front of bigger groups e.g. at work. Far fewer, feel confident with delivering persuasive speeches or doing public presentations at conferences, virtual events, or even in the boardroom full of important stakeholders. 

But we also know how great public speakers look and act. They are confident and inspiring, can “plant” ideas into other’s heads, and inspire action. 

The Benefits of Public Speaking 

Being a great public speaker gives you several major advantages in personal and professional areas: 

  • Higher level of verbal and nonverbal communication skills
  • Better critical thinking and analysis abilities
  • Leeway into leadership positions 
  • Personal brand development
  • More productive networking 

Ultimately, being good at public speaking helps you get more comfortable in group settings and draw the spotlight towards yourself. Talented public speakers can connect better with new people through charismatic presentations and persuasive talks. This, in turn, opens up an array of new opportunities — be it making more friends or raising funds for your project.

Different Types of Public Speaking 

As mentioned already, public speaking refers both to our day-day two-way exchanges with others and public presentations to an audience. 

In the case of the latter, public speeches can be classified as: 

Extemporaneous speeches

Pre-written speeches and practiced ahead of time. Usually, a speaker will rely on aids such as notes, presentation slides, or an outline when delivering the speech. Example : Conference talks. 

Impromptu speeches

Spur of the moment speeches, delivered without any preparation, agenda, or notes. Since you are caught off guard, delivering such a speech can be pretty challenging unless you are already good at speaking in public. Example : being asked to speak up during a customer meeting.

Manuscript speeches

Word-by-word delivery of a pre-written script, usually displayed on a screen/teleprompter. In essence, you are reading your speech rather than presenting it. Example : Officials addressing the nation. 

Memorized speeches

You deliver a prepared speech from memory without any aids. Such speaking can feel gut-wrenching if you are afraid to forget your lines and don’t feel confident improvising. Careful preparation is needed. Example : Ted talks or live product presentations. 

Public Speaking Woman At Podium PPT Template

The Fear of Public Speaking 

Despite the fact that most of us love chatting, far fewer feel comfortable talking in front of larger audiences. In fact, 75% of Americans have some level of public speaking anxiety. Many also feel frantic about going on the stage. 

The fear of public speaking is called glossophobia. It’s a recognized psychological condition with symptoms such as: 

  • Accelerated heart rate
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness 

So what makes us terrified of public speaking? 

Physiologists say that the above reactions are our body’s natural response to threatening situations. Our nervous system enters a hyperarousal state, activating the sense of fear. This sabotages our performance on stage. 

But what prompts us to treat public speaking as a threatening situation? Researchers found that humans perceive prolonged eye watching as an existential threat. Back in the old days, observations from a hostile tribe were a strong sign of upcoming trouble. So did a watchful eye of a predatory animal. 

This “memory” still remains imprinted subconsciously in our brain today. Thus, when we go on stage to deliver a public speech, our brain first registers the gazing audience as a threat. The brain goes into the “fight or flee” mode, prompting a reaction similar to the one we experience when facing actual danger. Most public speaking tips are aimed at helping us cope with this reaction and develop a more relaxed response to being observed. 

Also, some of us tend to get extra jittery before public speaking due to anxiety sensitivity — the fear of fear. Apart from being scared of public speaking as an act, some of us also feel stressed about how their anxiety will interfere with performing well. This leads to a cascading effect of paralysis. 

But as Dalel Carnegie wrote in the “ Art of Public Speaking, 13th Edition ” : “ If you believe you will fail, there is no hope for you. You will.”

A strong mindset is the key to taming your fear of public speaking. If regular calming exercises don’t help, try attending public speaking classes or taking individual coaching sessions. An experienced mentor can help you learn to cope with anxiety, hone your public speaking skills, and develop better confidence in front of groups. 

Woman Working on Charts Illustration Scene PPT Template

How to Be a Better Public Speaker: 6 Tips 

Confidence is also crucial. Whenever we are uncertain of our abilities to do good, we feel uncomfortable. So practice public talks, and practice a lot. In the words of Dale Carnegie, 

“Practice in speaking before an audience will tend to remove all fear of audiences, just as practice in swimming will lead to confidence and facility in the water. You must learn to speak by speaking.”

So, how to be a great presenter and improve your public speaking skills? Below are six research-backed public speaking techniques you should employ the next time you are preparing to deliver a speech! 

1. Nail Your Opening

The presenter’s anxiety is at highest during the first 30-60 seconds of the speaking. Once you get past that, you’ll hail more confidently through the rest of your speech. 

Hence, make sure to get a positive response from your audience from the get-go. Here are some ideas for starting a public speech: 

  • Begin with the ending: use BLUF technique — bottom line upfront 
  • Share a personal story to build empathy 
  • Ask a rhetorical question to make the audience think 
  • Provide a quote that sets the tone for your narrative 
  • Project into the future to get the audience focused on outcomes 
  • Use some humor to squeeze out some laughs and relax yourself 

Read more about how to start a presentation and which slides to use. 

2. Maintain Eye Contact with the Audience 

Simon Sinek, the most-viewed presenter on TED, offers this piece of advice : 

“Look at specific audience members throughout your speech. If you can, give each person that you intently look at an entire sentence or thought, without breaking your gaze. When you finish a sentence, move on to another person and keep connecting with individual people until you’re done speaking.”

By maintaining such gradual eye contact, you can build a better rapport with all audience members. Then again, it prevents your thoughts from getting scattered if you leave your gaze scanning over everyone. Also, by focusing on one person at a time, you deliberately ignore the stares from others. This helps minimize the anxiety-inducing “fight or flee” reflex. 

3. Try the “Inward, Outward, Forward” Formula For Your Speech 

The Inward, Outward, Forward format of structuring your speech is a good way to make a strong point within a short time span. It helps the listeners retain your core message and align with your way of thinking. Here’s how it works:

  • Explain why you are bringing up the topic. 
  • Provide evidence on what others think about it. 
  • End with a solution to the stated problem.

For example, if you are doing an after-action review meeting with your team, you can first summarize the main challenge you’ve faced. Then present examples of how individuals or other teams are handling similar issues. Lastly, sum up your proposal on the follow-up steps and solutions you’d recommend trying. 

4. Use the “Commander’s Intent” Technique to Make Your Ideas Stick 

Commander’s Intent (CI) is a technique the military personnel uses to communicate the main directive. 

A CI is a brief statement, placed on top of every order, summarizing the plan’s goal and desired end results. You can apply the same tactic to highlight the main points from each section of your speech. Or to prepare accompanying slides for the presentation.

Add a CI statement to the most important slides. Then expand on the idea within your speech. Doing so will help the audience focus on the key discussion point and retain the information better. 

5. Choose the Right Pitch and Tone of Voice 

Researchers from Yale University found that a speaker’s tone of voice and pitch influences the listeners’ perception of the speaker in terms of trust and likability. Why so?

Because voice is the most effective means for conveying emotions. It’s more channeling to disguise your attitude when you talk. So if you sound unconfident, anxious, doubting, or bored, the audience will likely sense that and act accordingly. 

For that reason, many amazing public speakers undergo voice coaching. They train to project the right emotions via their voice and naturally adjust pitch and vocal tone to convey different ideas. Most strive to achieve the maximum resonance point — a resonance that infers power to your voice.

For example, if your range is 2 octaves and 4 notes respectively, this is your max resonance point. Talking at this level most of the time is optimal. 

When you need to show passion, go a note higher. Go a note or two lower if you want to project certainty or authority. 

Public Speaking People Clapping PPT Template

Final Tip: Work on Your Body Language

When presenting in person, your body language will also be telling of your confidence and authority. Plus, it will shape the audience’s perception of you, just like your voice.  Hence, be sure to practice your posture and gestures too! In particular:

Don’t self-block (aka trying to shrink your body).

This means crossing arms, slouching, keeping hands in the pocket, etc. Such movements act as a barricade between you and the audience. They make you appear less trustworthy. To avoid them, hold on to the microphone or a presentation clicker. 

Practice breathing and hand gestures.

Uneven, raspy breathing will affect your pitch and tone of voice. So practice taking slow, measured breaths to pace your speech better. Take longer pauses when you want to emphasize a point.  Also, use mild hand gestures, head nods, and arm movements to engage with the audience. But don’t gesticulate too much as this will appear distractive. 

Ultimately, there are no shortcuts. Practice, practice, and then practice some more! Great public speakers aren’t born — they are self-made! 

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The Presentation Content Slides Infographic, is a template that provides very useful tools to create any sort of professional presentation. Customize this PowerPoint Template according to your needs.

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120 Presentation Topic Ideas Help You Hook Your Audience

Jenny Romanchuk

Updated: January 15, 2024

Published: August 09, 2023

Cooking is easy. The puzzle is figuring out what to eat. As soon as you know that, you can get started. The same holds for presentations. The sooner you can whip up a good, informative, and catchy topic, the easier the rest of the process becomes.

 man presents presentation topics to a group

Pick a good topic that resonates with you and your audience to set a strong foundation. But select the wrong topic, and it becomes difficult to connect with your audience, find mutual interests, or hold their attention.

So, let’s learn how to develop thought-provoking and relevant topics for your presentations. You’ll also find some best practices to make your presentation memorable.

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How to Choose a Great Presentation Topic in 5 Steps

120 presentation topic ideas, 5 presentation tips.

How to Choose a Great Presentation Topic. Be novel. Begin with the end in mind.

4. Choose an appropriate presentation style.

There are many ways to present a topic. Your personality, the topic at hand, and your audience’s personas will help you determine which style would best fit you and your audience.

Select a presentation style that will communicate the main idea clearly and have a lasting impact on your audience.

For instance, explore a freeform style presenter by Sir Ken Robinson.

5. Engage with your audience.

Work on your presentation skills to make a strong connection with your audience, get through to them and leave a mark.

Think of the presenter as the link between the topic and the audience. A strong or a weak presenter can make a difference between a presentation being a thriving success or a boring failure.

Hone your skills by engaging and interacting with your audience. Make them feel like a part of the presentation and not just spectators. 70% of marketers have found presentations with interactive content to be more effective than those without.

Here are a few ways you can make your presentation interactive:

  • Start your speech with uncommon questions to your audience. Involve them from the get-go, like ask to raise their hands if X.
  • Make eye contact to build credibility and show confidence. Don’t stare at your slides or notes. Smile occasionally and talk to the audience directly.
  • Have an active and confident body language. Don’t stand in the same place the entire time. Move around the stage.
  • Don’t be monotonous. Speak as you would to a colleague — with enthusiasm.
  • Ask close-ended questions in between to keep the audience engaged without losing time. Address them using their names to keep things interesting.
  • Share personal experiences and stories that your audience will find fascinating and relatable.
  • Practice thoroughly before you present so you’re fluent with the material and delivery.
  • Energy and excitement can be quite contagious. Make sure you exude enough to spread some to your audience.

Feeling Inspired Yet?

Now you have all the right ingredients for choosing amazing topics and a hundred ideas to drive inspiration from. So, go ahead and start cooking presentations that will blow your audience away.

Don’t forget to choose a super-relevant topic and add meaty information. Do it with excitement to make it enjoyable for you and your audience. Best of luck!

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10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills

Few are immune to the fear of public speaking. Marjorie North offers 10 tips for speakers to calm the nerves and deliverable memorable orations.

Marjorie North

Snakes? Fine. Flying? No problem. Public speaking? Yikes! Just thinking about public speaking — routinely described as one of the greatest (and most common) fears — can make your palms sweat. But there are many ways to tackle this anxiety and learn to deliver a memorable speech.

In part one of this series,  Mastering the Basics of Communication , I shared strategies to improve how you communicate. In part two, How to Communicate More Effectively in the Workplace , I examined how to apply these techniques as you interact with colleagues and supervisors in the workplace. For the third and final part of this series, I’m providing you with public speaking tips that will help reduce your anxiety, dispel myths, and improve your performance.

Here Are My 10 Tips for Public Speaking:

1. nervousness is normal. practice and prepare.

All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and trembling hands. Do not associate these feelings with the sense that you will perform poorly or make a fool of yourself. Some nerves are good. The adrenaline rush that makes you sweat also makes you more alert and ready to give your best performance.

The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. Take the time to go over your notes several times. Once you have become comfortable with the material, practice — a lot. Videotape yourself, or get a friend to critique your performance.

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2. Know Your Audience. Your Speech Is About Them, Not You.

Before you begin to craft your message, consider who the message is intended for. Learn as much about your listeners as you can. This will help you determine your choice of words, level of information, organization pattern, and motivational statement.

3. Organize Your Material in the Most Effective Manner to Attain Your Purpose.

Create the framework for your speech. Write down the topic, general purpose, specific purpose, central idea, and main points. Make sure to grab the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds.

4. Watch for Feedback and Adapt to It.

Keep the focus on the audience. Gauge their reactions, adjust your message, and stay flexible. Delivering a canned speech will guarantee that you lose the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.

5. Let Your Personality Come Through.

Be yourself, don’t become a talking head — in any type of communication. You will establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.

6. Use Humor, Tell Stories, and Use Effective Language.

Inject a funny anecdote in your presentation, and you will certainly grab your audience’s attention. Audiences generally like a personal touch in a speech. A story can provide that.

7. Don’t Read Unless You Have to. Work from an Outline.

Reading from a script or slide fractures the interpersonal connection. By maintaining eye contact with the audience, you keep the focus on yourself and your message. A brief outline can serve to jog your memory and keep you on task.

8. Use Your Voice and Hands Effectively. Omit Nervous Gestures.

Nonverbal communication carries most of the message. Good delivery does not call attention to itself, but instead conveys the speaker’s ideas clearly and without distraction.

9. Grab Attention at the Beginning, and Close with a Dynamic End.

Do you enjoy hearing a speech start with “Today I’m going to talk to you about X”? Most people don’t. Instead, use a startling statistic, an interesting anecdote, or concise quotation. Conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement that your audience is sure to remember.

10. Use Audiovisual Aids Wisely.

Too many can break the direct connection to the audience, so use them sparingly. They should enhance or clarify your content, or capture and maintain your audience’s attention.

Practice Does Not Make Perfect

Good communication is never perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect. However, putting in the requisite time to prepare will help you deliver a better speech. You may not be able to shake your nerves entirely, but you can learn to minimize them.

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About the Author

North is a consultant for political candidates, physicians, and lawyers, and runs a private practice specializing in public speaking, and executive communication skills. Previously, she was the clinical director in the department of speech and language pathology and audiology at Northeastern University.

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350+ Presentation Topics That Will Appeal to Any Audience

best presentation for speaking

I like building and growing simple yet powerful products for the world and the worldwide web.

Published Date : December 4, 2020

Reading Time :

A presentation can be nerve-wracking, may it be for first-timers or pros, as you must turn a critical issue into a dynamic, persuasive, and informative one. Before you enhance your oratory skills and overcome your fear of public speaking , you must brainstorm excellent, fun topics for your presentation.

When doing a presentation, you cannot start a thing without coming up with a presentation topic . It is harder to find the best subject than prepare the lecture, as you need to be specific about the topic you want to present.

Besides oratory skills and PowerPoint mastery, you need to have informative and fun topics for presentations that can influence the audience. Watch this and get more ideas about informative topics:

One of the best ways to nail a presentation is to choose the best presentation topics that fit your expertise and target audience.

How to Choose a Good Topic

Choosing the best one out of informative presentation topics can be daunting and confusing if you want to create an informative speech or lecture. Here are some considerations that you must know.

  • Purpose. Deciding your goal determines what your audience will bring after your talk, especially for persuasive presentation topics. Here is a video on various topics about persuasion:

  • Audience. Consider your audience’s demographic profiles and common ground when choosing presentation topics and connect them with their interests, beliefs, and social and cultural backgrounds.
  • Interests. Determine what presentation topic ideas you are most passionate about and what you know the most. Interesting topics for presentation give a head start upon your research phase, ensuring a well-received discussion for the audience. Get useful guides on how to keep your audience interested in this video:

  • Credibility. To convince your audience about the pieces of information that you will discuss, choosing a credible and well-backed lecture is another plus.
  • Conciseness . From 12 seconds in 2000, humans’ average attention span decreased to eight seconds in 2017. Thus, being concise is another essential factor in choosing presentation topics, as having a wordy title can confuse or intimidate your potential audience.

Tips on Turning a Boring Topic into an Engaging Presentation

presentation topics

You might have been feeling dejected as you had to prepare for a talk with no fun topics for presentation. It is hard to turn psychology discussions into engaging ones, knowing that this field has jargon and cases that can make your lecture dull.

However, instead of blaming your subject for being boring, avoid being dull instead. Here are some tips on turning a boring topic into an interactive one.

presentation topics

What are the Good Topics to Present in a Speech?

Now that you have skimmed through the tips and ways to choose fun topics for a presentation, making a speech on time needs a good presentation topic. Out of random presentation topics, here are some prominent ones that might give you some ideas.

Interesting Presentation Topics

  • Ancient Greek Heroes Modern Interpretation
  • Antidepressants and Their Effects on the Human Brain
  • How Bad Nutrition Affects a Person’s Appearance
  • Traces of Romanticism in Well-known English Literature
  • Influences of Music on Mental Health
  • How Religion and Politics Blend Within a State
  • Most Famous and Nerve-wracking Novels, Books, and Plays
  • How Traditional Herbs Get Approved
  • Effects of Being a Polyglot
  • Being Productive During Pandemic

Good Presentation Topics

  • Disney Films’ Most Famous Actresses
  • How Media Affects Gender Stereotypes Portrayal
  • How Beauty Contests Affects Women’s Self-esteem
  • Differences Between Religion and Cult
  • Gambling Effects on Human’s Mental Health
  • Most Authoritative Politicians and Political Parties
  • Ways to Improve the Health Systems
  • Preparation and Prevention Against Natural Disasters
  • Ways to Alleviate Insomnia
  • How to Build Good Relationships Between Children and Pets

5-Minute Presentation Topics

  • Best Apps to Improve Academic Performance
  • Airport First-timers: Step-by-step Instructions
  • Easy-to-make Breakfast Recipes
  • How to Avoid Procrastination
  • Making Money During Holidays
  • How Social Media Lowers Self-esteem
  • Working Remotely: Pros and Cons
  • Best Online Business and Professions
  • Why Trust Your Intuition
  • Reasons to Learn Foreign Languages

Fun Topics for Presentation

  • How Rock ‘n Roll Started
  • Rare and Expensive Coffee Types
  • Best Self-development Books for Teens
  • Choosing a Specialty in College
  • Secrets of a Healthy Relationship
  • Benefits of Art Therapy
  • How do Journalists and Bloggers Differ From Each Other?
  • The Origin of Languages
  • Evolution of Artificial Intelligence
  • Makeup Life Hacks and Tips

Safety Presentation Topics

  • Common Mistakes in General Safety
  • Dealing with Ergonomic and Workplace Stress
  • Coronavirus Precautionary Measures
  • How to Deal with Violence
  • Fire and Electrical Safety
  • Reportage, Prevention, and Liabilities in Workplace Accidents
  • Safety Precautions Against Heat Exhaustion
  • Common Workplace Injuries
  • Communication Issues and Safety
  • Emergency Response Efficiency

Easy Presentation Topics

  • Adverse Effects of GMOs on Health and Life
  • Effective Ways to Improve Old People’s Health System
  • Most Iconic Censorship on Social Media
  • Most Prominent Female Political Leaders of All Time
  • How to Avoid Being Late
  • Globalization and Its Effects on World Population
  • Smiling Therapy Positive Effects on Mental Health
  • Advancement of 3D Printing and Its Benefits
  • How Music Helps in Learning New Languages
  • Dealing with Child Prodigies

Controversial Speech Topics

Controversies are all around us, especially online resources. Finding a controversial topic must fit your passion and knowledge; otherwise, it might negatively impact your discussion.

Controversial Leadership Topics for Presentation

  • LGBTQ Rights
  • Abortion: Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life
  • Benefits of Multiculturalism in a Society
  • Security and Privacy Concerns about Electronic Voting
  • Gun Control Laws and Limits
  • Journalism Ethics and Corruption
  • Euthanasia Vs. Right to Live
  • Death Penalty Pros and Cons
  • How Mandatory Minimum Penalties Impact Federal Sentencing
  • Torture as an Interrogation Tactic
  • Electoral College Abolishment
  • Is World Peace Possible?
  • Same-sex union
  • Lowering Criminal Liability Age
  • Banning Animal Experimentation
  • High Taxation Rates
  • Freedom of Speech and Its Restrictions
  • Embargo and Censorship: What to be Publicize
  • Insanity Plea as an Excuse
  • Tobacco Regulation

Controversial Topics for Teenagers

  • Hookup Culture and Its Impact on Teens
  • Bullying and Cyberbullying
  • Banning Pornography in E-libraries
  • Causes of Depression and Other Mental Illness in Teens
  • Teen Suicide Liability
  • Prohibition of Gambling for Teens
  • How to Educate Teens About Drugs
  • Dealing with Eating Disorders in Teens
  • When Should Teens Start to Vote
  • How Parents Should Deal with Teens’ Romantic Relationship
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Education
  • Health Impacts of Fast Food for Teens
  • How Being a Fan Impacts Teens
  • Possibility of Living on Mars
  • Why Media Literacy Important for Teenagers
  • How Teenagers Can Fight Top Environmental Problems
  • Dealing with Diversity in School
  • Military Recruitment on Campus
  • Pros and Cons of School Uniforms and Dress Code
  • Plan B Contraception Access for Minors

presentation topics

What are Some Presentation Ideas for School?

For school purposes, you must find informative but fun topics for presentation as students have a lesser attention span than adults. Here are the presentation topics for academic and educational causes.

Science Topics for Presentation

Science presentation topics are among the most in-demand discussions for students and teachers in technical educational institutions. Here are some ideas to help you out.

Physics Topics for Presentation

  • Is Physics Based on Theory or Practice
  • Why We Need to Study Physics
  • Newton’s Third Law as the Universal Formula
  • Why Every Student Needs to Learn Physical Formula
  • Is Physics Dependent on Math and Science or Vice Versa
  • Why Physics Necessary for Knowledge Testing
  • How to Deal with Difficulties in Physics Lesson
  • Most Important Topics in Physics

Chemistry Topics for Presentation

  • Why Alchemists Seeks Philosopher’s Stone
  • Chemists Who Are Nobel Prize Awardees
  • How Chemical Weapons Become Main Threat for War
  • How to Choose Quality Water
  • Making a Kid Interested in Chemistry
  • Hair Biochemistry and Its Process
  • Effects of Lack of Chemical Elements in a Human Body
  • Safety Precautions for Chemical Products

Biology Topics for Presentation

  • How the Future Lies in Crossroads of Biological Sciences
  • How to Avoid Harmful GMO Foods
  • Secrets of Centenarians
  • Allergic Reactions Caused by Dust
  • Can a Person Survive Without Clean Drinking Water
  • How Sports and Nutrition Determine Human Health
  • Vaccination and Its Effect on Genotype
  • Best Houseplants for Air Purification

Geology Topics for Presentation

  • Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions as Causes of Dynamic Geology
  • Geomorphology: Intersection of Geography and Geology
  • Space Geology in the Field of Cosmology and Planetology
  • Geological Timeline from Solid Formation to the Holocene Era
  • Geological Events Absolute and Relative Age
  • Methods and Principles of Geology
  • Geodynamics: The Relationship of the Earth’s Core and Crust Processes  
  • Microstructural Geology: Micro-Level Rock Deformation

Astronomy Topics for Presentation

  • Differences Between Astronomy and Astrology
  • The Possibility of Life on Mars
  • History and Discovery of the Milky Way Galaxy
  • Does Astronomy Only Study Stars?
  • Astronomy as a Separate Subject in School
  • Reasons Why Fewer Entrants ChoAstronomynomy
  • What Happens If the Sun Died?
  • Why Our Future Depends on Astronomical Studies

Technological Science Topics for Presentation

  • How Technology Improves Living Standards
  • Technology and Its Effect on Cancer Treatment
  • How Cybercriminals Use Technology
  • Benefits and Threats of Artificial Intelligence
  • Saving Time on Internet Technology Usage
  • Technological Evolution from the Middle Ages to the Present
  • Diffusion Rate of Technology in Developing Countries
  • Taking a Break from the Internet

Multimedia Science Topics for Presentation

  • Multimedia Features and Classification
  • Creating a Multimedia Presentation
  • Features of Online Multimedia
  • Benefits of Multimedia in Business
  • Usage of Multimedia in Computer Games
  • How to Create Training Courses Using Multimedia
  • Becoming a Multimedia Specialist
  • Multimedia and Its Relation to Science

Cultural and Social Presentation Topic Ideas

This aspect mostly concerns psychology and sociology students. Here are some fun topics for presentations that you can check out.

presentation topics

  • Culture and Traditions of Native Americans
  • How History Connects with Culture
  • How Cultural Knowledge Increases Chances of Success
  • Identifying Emigrants by Cultural Characteristics
  • Why Students Need to Learn About Culture
  • Importance of Cultural Appreciation
  • Pros and Cons of Diversified Culture
  • Best Sociology Books for Starters
  • Sociology and Its Express Research
  • Empirical Research
  • Causes of Social Phenomena
  • Mathematical Methods in Sociology
  • Social Trends Analysis and Development Patterns
  • How to Collect Sociological Information
  • Becoming a School President
  • Why a President Needs Leadership Skills
  • Ways to Raise a Child as a Leader
  • Is Leadership an Innate Skill or a Result of Experiences?
  • Responsibilities of a Leader
  • How Family Relationships Affect One’s Leadership Skills
  • Winning a Leadership Scholarship
  • How Individual Differs from Social Ethics?
  • Politics and International Relations Ethical Principles
  • Ethical Communication Rules in Social Media
  • Business Ethics and Relationships
  • Why Learn Etiquette Knowledge
  • Ethical Issues on Famous Artworks
  • Knowing About Corporate Ethics

What are Some Presentation Ideas for Healthcare?

There are many physical and mental health topics for school and other conferences , but having fun topics for presentations is essential to make your lecture less complicated. Here are some of the presentation topics that might suit your interest.

presentation topics

Psychology Topics for Presentation

  • The Need for Psychologists in Kindergarten
  • Best Universities for Psychology
  • Choosing a Suitable Psychologist
  • Outcasts Children: Psychology Victim
  • Psychological State and Its Effects on Productivity
  • When Do You Need a Psychologist
  • Can a Person with a Mental Disorder Become a Psychologist?

Mental Health Topics for Presentation

  • Mental Fatigue: Causes of Failure
  • Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health
  • Recognizing and Avoiding the Onset of Depression
  • Causes of Mental Health Disorders
  • How Physical Affects Mental Health and Vice Versa
  • Dealing With Mental Breakdowns
  • How Music Improves Mental Health

Health Topics for Presentation

  • Why Do Pharmacies Sell Over-the-counter Medicines?
  • How Allergic Reaction Works
  • Sports that Can Improve Health in a Month
  • Signs of Bad Immunity System
  • Legalization of Marijuana
  • Centenarians’ Secret to Good Health
  • Healthy Habits Before Exams

Nutrition Topics for Presentation

  • The Necessity of Reading a Product’s Composition
  • Nutrition Effects on Skin Condition
  • Determining Necessary Ratio of Proteins, Fats, and Carbohydrates
  • Tips for Restrictive Eating Disorders
  • How Sports Nutrition Can Be Dangerous
  • Why Being a Nutritionist a Good Career Choice
  • Why Quality Nutrition Determines One’s Success

Nursing Presentations

  • Nursing Career and Its Growth
  • Critical Moments on Painkiller Usage
  • Patient Safety During Nursing
  • Patient safety during nursing
  • Career Growth in Nursing
  • The use of painkillers: critical moments
  • Health Assessment: What to Check
  • Features of caring for patients with mental disorders
  • Postoperative patient care
  • Features internships and practices for nurses

Dental Presentations Ideas

  • Teeth Processes for Babies
  • Molar Extraction Process
  • Wisdom Tooth: Necessary or Not?
  • How Chewing Gum Affects Tooth Enamel
  • Causes and Treatment for Oral Cancer
  • Diet for Braces

Medical Presentations

  • How to Call an Ambulance
  • Dealing With Addiction
  • Highly Addictive Medical Drugs that You Don’t Realize
  • Primary Stab Wound Treatment
  • When Surgery Becomes Necessary
  • Traditional, Alternative, and Modern Medicines
  • Preventing Sport Injuries
  • Insomnia Treatment With No Pills
  • Anti-aging Pills: When to Avoid It
  • Why Go or Reject Posthumous Donation
  • Euthanasia and Its Effect on Suicide Rate
  • How to Avoid Child Obesity
  • Pros and Cons of GMOs
  • Diverse Ways to Improve Healthcare
  • The Need for Legal Framework on Plastic Surgery Regulations

What are Some Presentation Ideas for Business and Management?

Finding business presentation topics is more difficult as you must show in-depth knowledge of your chosen idea. Here are some of the presentation topics that you can check out.

presentation topics

How a Good Topic Helps on Public Speaking (SECS Elements)

Having the right choice of presentation topics can help meet the Sincerity, Enthusiasm, Confidence , and Simplicity (SECS) public speaking elements due to these reasons:

  • A good topic can make you sincere in communicating with your audience.
  • Fun topics for presentations can also increase the audience’s enthusiasm.
  • Fun topics for presentations also give you confidence as it lessens awkwardness.
  • The right topic makes your presentation concise, straightforward, and informative at the same time.

What does a perfect day with the family look like?

Imagine a day filled with laughter, shared meals, and playful adventures. Waking up refreshed, a family connects over breakfast, sharing dreams and creating plans. They explore together, be it a museum visit or a quiet picnic, finding joy in nature, or friendly competition. As the sun sets, reflections filled with gratitude paint the evening, solidifying the love and connection that makes the day perfect, not for its grandeur but for the simple treasures of being together.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

When asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” children explore a world of possibilities. Each child has unique dreams, from doctors to astronauts, artists to veterinarians. Their dreams may change as they grow, but nurturing their curiosity helps them find their true calling.

What’s one habit you want to eliminate and one you want to keep?

Aiming for personal growth, I’ll axe the time-sucking social media scroll and double down on the mood-boosting, energy-zinging exercise routine. Recognizing habits are key, I’ll actively fight for a more balanced and fulfilling life, one mindful step at a time.

Presentation topics are the key to a successful lecture, bringing more opportunities for your career. Choosing among tons of ideas out there can get confusing , but give it a serious thought as your topic impacts your overall presentation.

presentation topics

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Al Pacino Addresses Oscars Controversy Over Best Picture Presentation

Originally appeared on E! Online

Just when Al Pacino thought he was done with his Oscars controversy, they pull him back in.

The Godfather star caused quite a stir at the 2024 Oscars March 10 when he presented the Best Picture award to Oppenheimer without listing all other nominees first.

Now, the Oscar-winner is now speaking out on the matter, echoing what a source previously told E! News that the presenting style was decided on ahead of time—and not a choice he made in the moment.

"There seems to be some controversy about my not mentioning every film by name last night before announcing the best picture award," the 83-year-old said in a March 11 statement to Variety . "I just want to be clear it was not my intention to omit them, rather a choice by the producers not to have them said again since they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony."

And regardless of the critiques he received, Pacino was just thrilled to be there.

2024 Oscars: Candid Moments

"I was honored to be a part of the evening," he continued, "and chose to follow the way they wished for this award to be presented."

Typically, the presenter for Best Picture briefly lists the nominees in the category before announcing the winner. Pacino, however, did not, instead telling the audience, "Ten wonderful films were nominated, but only one will take the award for Best Picture—and I have to go to the envelope for that." He then announced the winner, saying, "My eyes see Oppenheimer ."

And fans were very much divided on the Academy's choice to go that route.

"Most anti-climatic Best Picture announcement ever," one Oscar watcher wrote on X . "I wanted to see all of the nominees." Another joked Pacino's presentation style was an "Oscar worthy performance in its own right."

But regardless of how it was announced, Oppenheimer was still the big winner of the night, taking home seven awards including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy , Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. and Best Director for Christopher Nolan , in addition to Best Picture .

Keep reading to find out who else took home an Academy Award.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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Oscars Team Tells All: Getting John Cena Naked, Jimmy Kimmel’s Trump Joke and Why Al Pacino Skipped the Best Picture Nominees (EXCLUSIVE)

'Jimmy Kimmel Live' executive producer Molly McNearney and Walt Disney TV alternative head Rob Mills share the behind-the-scenes scoop on how this year's Oscars telecast went down

By Michael Schneider

Michael Schneider

Variety Editor at Large

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THE OSCARS - The 96th Oscars held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide. (Disney/Greg Williams) JIMMY KIMMEL, JOHN CENA

Just minutes before the Oscars were set to begin, the show’s producers realized they had a problem: Some of the year’s key A-listers and nominees weren’t inside the Dolby Theatre just yet. The perfect storm of traffic delays, pro-Palestine protests, the first day of daylight saving time and an earlier start time had contributed to the last-minute crunch.

Among the names mentioned in host Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue were Lily Gladstone, Ryan Gosling, Cillian Murphy, Margot Robbie, Robert Downey Jr. and Martin Scorsese — so it was key that they be in their seats when the show began.

“Once we realized that maybe half those people were not there, we started saying OK, we’re definitely going to delay this a little bit,” says Rob Mills, the exec VP of unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, who was busy with the team producing the live red carpet show at the time. “This is at 6:54 east coast time.”

In a rapid-fire text message chain, the producers kept each other informed on who had just arrived and were racing to the doors. “Jimmy couldn’t go on until Margot [Robbie] and Ryan [Gosling] were in their seats. And I think they literally were at 7:04 and 30 seconds,” Mills says. “It was literally landing an airplane and not knowing if the landing gear is going to open. It was crazy.”

In the meantime, the red carpet telecast was able to vamp a bit longer — and then the network put in a long commercial break to fill the time (leading to plenty of puzzled viewers on social media). “It was great for our ad inventory, and our promos — hopefully everyone knew that ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ is coming back!” Mills quips.

“I honestly have tried to do that math in my head nine times and it’s still not making sense to me,” McNearney says of the extra time. “Leading up to the show, my biggest concern was time. I thought for sure we were going to be over, with 23 awards, five songs, an In Memoriam, and the five ‘fab fives’ [which is what she calls the acting presentations, where five past winners paid tribute to this year’s five nominees]. So, I really was preparing the whole time that we were going to be way over.”

But with two winners absent — live action short winner Wes Anderson and animation feature winner Hayao Miyazaki — and other winners keeping their speeches brief, the show began to run ahead of schedule. Still, “I don’t know how the hell [it happened], you never get extra time,” McNearney says. “Jimmy loved having a little extra time, and I think it worked in his favor.”

And then, about 10 minutes before the show ended, one of Kimmel’s writers ran over and showed him something Donald Trump had just posted on Truth Social, ranting about the “boring” show. Kimmel decided to read the former President’s review verbatim — and McNearney (who, by the way, is also Kimmel’s wife) admits she tried to talk him out of it.

“I will tell you, I’m really not proud of this, but I tried to talk Jimmy out of reading that,” she says. “I feel like my instincts are usually right, but I was totally off on that. I said, ‘Please don’t read this.’ And he asked why. I said, ‘I don’t want to give Trump airtime in the Oscars. This is the one time we don’t have to talk about him. We talk about him every night… This night is not about him and it’s not about politics. My second thought was just the risk, like the show was going well! I just wanted to make sure it ended well, and I didn’t want it to end on a sour note.”

McNearney adds, “But he had a glimmer in his eye, and he said, ‘I got this.’ He really did. This is where he shines.”

Kimmel huddled with his writers, and he came up with the retort: “Isn’t it past your jail time?” It killed in the room, and McNearney notes that Kimmel’s instinct was right. “I will tell you, I’m never going to win an argument in my household again!” she says.

Here are more behind-the-scenes tidbits about this year’s Oscars:

John Cena’s “nude” appearance went through an intense standards and practices process.

As a tribute to the 1974 Oscars streaker, John Cena walked onstage nude — sort of. His private parts were strategically covered so as not to run afoul of FCC standards. But the producers got away with a lot more than the network’s legal team wanted.

“I’m going to educate you a little here,” Mills says. “A bulge cannot be showing, and you can’t show crack. It was also, ’What happens if he drops that card?’ So, we made sure that, for all intents and purposes, he looked like a Ken doll up front. His crack was covered in the back and then the envelope was Velcro-ed on there so it wouldn’t fall. But beyond that, he was naked.”

McNearney says the producers wanted to keep the Cena bit a surprise, so they rehearsed it on a closed set. She also says the back-and-forth with the network’s standards and practices was intense.

“They were sweating,” she says of the S&P execs. “I think at the end we all got to a spot where we were comfortable, S&P was comfortable, and it didn’t compromise the comedy a bit. I was very thankful that we didn’t have to send him out there in tighty whities, which I’m sure legal would have preferred.”

As for people debating whether Cena was nude, “That’s what I wanted!” McNearney says. “Maybe it’s not what [S&P] wanted. That’s definitely what I want!”

Al Pacino wasn’t supposed to recap the best picture nominees before announcing the winner, so we weren’t nearly in danger of another ‘envelopegate’ as it seemed.

When Pacino came out and immediately went to open the envelope to reveal the best picture winner, viewers were concerned. But McNearney said his presentation was always supposed to be fast.

“It was a creative decision we made because we were very worried that the show was going to be long,” McNearney says. “By the time you get to the end of the show, you’ve seen all ten best picture clip packages. People just want to hear who wins, and they’re pretty ready for the show to be over. At least that’s what we anticipated. So, we did not give him a clip package. We did not give him nominations to read. I apologize if our decision to not have to read through all those nominations put him in a tough spot.”

Of course, it’s on Pacino for opening the envelope in a bit of a confusing way: “Here it comes,” he said. “And my eyes see… ‘Oppenheimer.’”

Says McNearney: “That made it a little confusing. But listen, that’s the excitement of live television. You never know you’re going to get exactly!”

The “I’m Just Ken” number has actually been in the works for months.

The story behind how “I’m Just Ken” actually deserves its own piece — which you can read here on Variety .

“One of the privileges of this job is getting to see all the rehearsals, so I saw that number four or five times, which was incredible,” Mills says of Gosling’s barn-burning power ballad performance. “You could just see in every rehearsal and everything that this was a moment he never wanted to miss.”

Another highlight of the evening was the very meme-able moment when Messi from “Anatomy of a Fall” was seen clapping along with the audience. Of course, those were fake paws, as handled by a puppeteer. But that segment was actually pre-taped, in order to make sure the gag worked.

“We realized pretty quickly after the nominations brunch and the of frenzy online about this dog that we should have him at the Oscars,” McNearney says. “Hours before the show, we brought him in and he barked a lot in the dress rehearsal. It wasn’t his fault, I think he was confused by a signal that a camera guy was giving. He thought it was the barking command.”

Nevertheless, after that rehearsal, the producers didn’t want to risk a barking moment on the live telecast. “So we pre-taped him clapping, and then of course we pre-taped him peeing on that Matt Damon star [on the Walk of Fame],” McNearney says. “It was just a beautiful moment in television.”

The decision to bring back the ‘Fab Five’ concept — in which five previous winners paid tribute to this year’s five nominees in the acting categories — was a nod to a similar idea in 2009.

It was producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan who were eager to revive the format. “I was fully on board with it because I remember loving it,” McNearney says. “Our only hesitation was length and not using clips. But you also don’t want to be too clip-heavy in a show. It starts to become a little over overwhelming. We wanted them to feel personal, and we let most of those presenters write their own copy because we wanted it to feel intimate, and we wanted it to feel like a friend speaking on your behalf. I think they succeeded at that.”

Complaints about the ‘In Memoriam’ segment are duly noted.

After some viewers griped that they had a hard time seeing the names and photos of people who had died over the past year — particularly at the end, when a screenful of names were included at once — Mills says he took the criticism to heart.

“I have to say, maybe it wasn’t perfect, but the effort was great. And it was done beautifully,” he says. “But that feedback is totally merited. We’ll look at it, and certainly what it does tell you is how much that part of the show means to people. I think it’s important for us to listen to it. What I loved was going back to the clips with the sound ups. Hearing Ryan O’Neal say, ‘love means never having to say you’re sorry,’ and hearing Tina Turner and hearing Alan Arkin. I think that’s the superpower of the Oscars In Memoriam, and I think we’ll probably lean into that more next year.”

“It was not something that was thought of two days ago,” Mills says of the toast, starring “Jimmy Kimmel Live” sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez. “It was really just making sure nobody felt coerced into doing it, making sure no minors had access to it. But beyond that, it was actually relatively easy. Everybody really mobilized and made sure that it could work.”

Even though “The Zone of Interest” director Jonathan Glazer’s acceptance speech about Gaza created a bit of a firestorm online, it didn’t faze the producers or network.

“This is a man who won for what Spielberg said was probably the most impactful Holocaust drama since his own 30 years ago,” Mills says. “Unfortunately, there are things going on in the world now that mirror that. And I think he took the opportunity to speak to that.”

A Mel Brooks “Blazing Saddles” anniversary tribute and a “Steel Magnolias” reunion were among the ideas that ultimately didn’t make it on to the show.

“We really wanted Mel Brooks,” McNearney says. “And I’ll just say I wanted ‘Steel Magnolias’ really badly.”

Will Jimmy Kimmel return for a fifth time next year? It’s too soon to tell.

“I mean, I will certainly beg him to do it,” Mills says. “If he wants to sign a lifetime contract, I would love that. I really hope he comes back. Jimmy has just got this down. He’s got the playbook perfected. But Jimmy also puts in 365 days of work for three and a half hours. So, I certainly understand if he doesn’t want to do it. But I am going to pray like hell that he does.”

As for McNearney, she’s now too busy prepping tonight’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to even think about next year.

“This is just a really bad day to ask,” she says. “Ask me in a month or two after I’ve had a little bit of vitamin D maybe. But I absolutely loved it. I do not take this for granted that I get these opportunities. It is a ton of work. The people I get to work with are relentlessly hard-working. You have to kind of not see your children for a while. I’m not sure I have it in me again. I would obviously be honored to do it. But I honestly don’t know. I feel like we’ve done a great job. We had four good ones and maybe let someone else try it now.”

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UGA Extension Forsyth County

Local Students Take the State for Public Speaking Contest

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Two women, one adult, one older teen, posing for a picture after the teen won an award

Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County

Each year, local students in 7 th through 12 th grade submit a Portfolio to the local Extension Office to signify their intent to participate in Junior/Senior Project Achievement in March. Portfolios are a celebration of youth’s work and accomplishments over the last calendar year. The document is two pages long and highlights the student’s work in a specific project, their leadership activities, community service, and other events that they would like the judges to consider. Creating a portfolio provides young people with valuable life experience for when they need to create resumes for their careers. Additionally, in many professions, strong public speaking skills are highly valued. Whether giving presentations, pitching ideas, or leading meetings, the ability to speak confidently and persuasively is crucial for success in numerous careers.

Next, youth create an oral presentation on their chosen project area. Topics are offered in more than 50 different program areas with nearly every topic of interest or educational area available for exploration and presentation. Practicing public speaking is the best way for youth to build this valuable skill that will serve them well throughout their lives. Whether it’s through participating in activities like debating clubs, drama classes, or simply practicing speaking in front of family and friends, regular practice can greatly enhance a child’s public speaking abilities and boost their confidence in various aspects of life.

An adult woman and a high school student posing as the youth receives a public speaking award.

Presentations are scored by area content experts. Project achievement ends at the district competition for the 7 th and 8 th graders, however, if a Senior, or 9 th -12 th grade, 4-Her place 1 st in their project, they advance to State Congress.

This year’s Junior and Senior Project Achievement Participants included:

Tallulah Bates, Health, 4 th place

Addie Davis, Performing Arts-Vocal, 1 st place

Aakarsha Gangaraju, Sports-Team

Avanni Joshi, Public Speaking, 2 nd place

Mackenzie Kimbarl, Sports 3 rd place with a sweepstakes

Navin Majji, Computer Information Technology, 3 rd place

Navya Majji, Human Development, 3 rd place

Neeva Patel, Arts, 1 st place

Alessandra Reneau, Performing Arts—Piano, 1 st place

Lucas Rymer, Sports

Bethany Taylor, Computer Information Technology

Pal Vaghani, Environmental Science, 3 rd place

Lily Wright, Human Development

Alessandra Reneau and Mackenzie Kimbarl will be representing Forsyth County at State Congress this summer. Reneau qualified with a first place win in her project area and Kimbarl qualified with a sweepstakes win. This year, Sports was the largest project area with 16 Seniors competing.

State Congress is a four-day event held in July of every year in Atlanta. This event brings together 4-Hers who excelled in their project work from all four state districts. At State Congress, 4-Hers compete for Master Status in their project area by placing 1st in the state. Kimbarl was also recognized at the Graduating Senior Banquet where she received her graduation cords.

Students have already started working on their projects for 2025! If your child is interested in practicing their public speaking skills, reach out to Heather Haines at [email protected] so they can start working on their portfolios today!

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Al Pacino reveals the reason he announced Oscars best picture the way he did

Al Pacino took the stage at the 96th Oscars to deliver the award for best picture, which went to "Oppenheimer," but Pacino's delivery of the winner arguably stole the show.

Whereas the acting nominees had long presentations during the March 10 ceremony, Pacino didn't read out the nominees for best picture before revealing who won. Over on social media, some saw the moment as "confusing" while others called it "Oscar-worthy" in its own right, but Pacino is now speaking out about the real reason he skipped over the other contenders for the prestigious award.

“There seems to be some controversy about my not mentioning every film by name last night before announcing the best picture award,” Pacino said in a statement through his reps obtained by Deadline . “I just want to be clear it was not my intention to omit them, rather a choice by the producers not to have them said again since they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony.

"I was honored to be a part of the evening and chose to follow the way they wished for this award to be presented," he continued.

On the night of the Academy Awards, the best picture presentation from Pacino appeared rushed. Instead of mentioning each movie by name, Pacino only said, "Ten wonderful films were nominated, but only one will take the award for best picture."

Then he gestured to his envelope. "I have to go to the envelope for that. Here it comes," he said, opening it up.

Looking at the paper, he started talking. "And my eyes see 'Oppenheimer,'" he said.

Some clapping emerged, but it seemed like Pacino was still speaking. "Yes. Yes," Pacino continued, reading the names of the produces. More clapping emerged before finally, "Oppenheimer" became, clearly, the winner.

The somewhat anticlimactic moment led to a spirited conversation online.

"Al Pacino announcing Oppenheimer’s best picture win with the casualness of announcing what he wants to eat for dinner at Chili’s is why I watch The Oscars," one X user wrote .

Another compared his tone to a bear stumbling out of a cave.

Viewers noticed how he skipped reading the nominations and cut straight what his "eyes" saw: "Oppenheimer."

"Al Pacino not even presenting the rest of the nominations and going straight to the winner is such a hilarious yet Oscar worthy performance in its own right," someone wrote .

Others weren't as taken with the moment, calling it "all kinds of awkward ."

Writer Spencer Althouse concluded it "couldn't have been more chaotic or confusing," but said he was still "obsessed."

Elena Nicolaou is a senior entertainment editor at Today.com, where she covers the latest in TV, pop culture, movies and all things streaming. Previously, she covered culture at Refinery29 and Oprah Daily. Her superpower is matching people up with the perfect book, which she does on her podcast, Blind Date With a Book.

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Katie Britt, With a Smile and a Fierce Glare, Delivers G.O.P. Response to Biden

The Alabama senator, 42, who has been floated as a possible running mate for Donald Trump, gave a tonally jarring speech that toggled between strained cheerfulness and ominous warnings.

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Katie Britt Attacks Biden in G.O.P. Response

Seated at her kitchen table in montgomery, ala., the republican senator called president biden “a dithering and diminished leader” and addressed issues including immigration and i.v.f..

Like so many families across America, my husband, Wesley, and I just watched President Biden’s State of the Union address from our living room, and what we saw was the performance of a permanent politician who has actually been in office for longer than I’ve been alive. President Biden’s border policies are a disgrace. This crisis is despicable. And the truth is, it is almost entirely preventable. Right now, our commander in chief is not in command. The free world deserves better than a dithering and diminished leader. We want families to grow. It’s why we strongly support continued nationwide access to in vitro fertilization. We want to help loving moms and dads bring precious life into this world.

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By Michael C. Bender and Kayla Guo

Reporting from Washington

  • March 7, 2024

With a sunny, inviting smile, Senator Katie Britt of Alabama welcomed Americans into her kitchen on Thursday night.

Many soon backed away nervously.

In the Republican Party’s official response to President Biden’s State of the Union address, Ms. Britt delivered a jarring speech that toggled between an increasingly strained cheerfulness and a fierce glare as she gave ominous warnings about illegal immigration.

Ms. Britt, 42, has been seen as a rising Republican star and floated as a possible running mate for former President Donald J. Trump . But in the biggest moment of her fledgling political career, she delivered a tonally uneven speech that was made more unusual by the setting of her own house in Montgomery, Ala., where she sat at her kitchen table and painted a dark picture of an America in decline.

“Our commander in chief is not in command,” Ms. Britt said. “The free world deserves better than a dithering and diminished leader.”

Her comments were in line with messages Republicans have increasingly used to criticize Mr. Biden at the start of the election year, but her 17-minute speech seemed likely to be remembered more for her disconcerting performance. She spoke in grim detail about a child victim of sex trafficking by drug cartels and the recent killing of a Georgia nursing student in which a Venezuelan migrant has been charged.

“That could’ve been my daughter,” Ms. Britt said. “It could’ve been yours.”

Previous State of the Union rebuttals have been delivered from behind a lectern in official settings, but Ms. Britt chose a domestic backdrop, trying to underscore her argument that Mr. Biden represents a threat to prosperity for American families.

But the scene seemed to confuse viewers on social media, where Ms. Britt was mocked by some for using a dramatic, breathy voice to deliver critiques of the president.

“Under his administration, families are worse off — our communities are less safe, and our country is less secure,” she said. “I just wish he understood what real families are facing around kitchen tables just like this one.”

Mr. Trump praised her speech.

“Katie Britt was a GREAT contrast to an Angry, and obviously very Disturbed, ‘President,’” he wrote on his social media site. “She was compassionate and caring, especially concerning Women and Women’s Issues. Her conversation on Migrant Crime was powerful and insightful. Great job Katie!”

Katie Britt walking in a hallway in Washington.

Ms. Britt won her first public office in 2022, becoming the first female senator elected in Alabama and the youngest Republican woman elected to the chamber. Speaker Mike Johnson noted in announcing that she would give the State of the Union response that she was the “only current Republican mom of school-age kids serving in the Senate.”

Her selection made for a stark contrast with Mr. Biden, 81, the nation’s oldest president, who is facing skepticism within his party about whether he is too old for a second term.

She also symbolized the latest Republican attempt to broaden the appeal of a party represented overwhelmingly in Washington by white men.

Last year, the Republican response was given by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, a former Trump White House press secretary, who became the nation’s youngest governor when she took office early last year. The previous Republican responses to Mr. Biden’s speech came from Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa’s first female governor, and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the chamber.

Ms. Britt repeatedly brought up families and her children in her speech.

“The country we know and love seems to be slipping away — it feels like the next generation will have fewer opportunities, and less freedom, than we did,” she said. “I worry my own children may not even get a shot at living their American dreams.”

Ms. Britt is, at first glance, an unlikely vice-presidential contender for Mr. Trump. She rose to the Senate within the business-friendly establishment wing of the Republican Party that he has driven from power.

She served as chief executive of the Business Council of Alabama, the state’s chamber of commerce, and as a former chief of staff to former Senator Richard Shelby, Alabama’s longest serving senator.

But Ms. Britt has been on Mr. Trump’s radar since August 2021, when she was at the end of a receiving line to shake the former president’s hand during a Republican gathering in Alabama.

Ms. Britt, then a candidate for Senate, introduced the former president to her husband, Wesley Britt, noting that he played professional football for the New England Patriots, whose billionaire owner, Robert Kraft, is close to Mr. Trump, according to two people familiar with the exchange.

Even though Mr. Trump had already endorsed her primary opponent, Representative Mo Brooks, Ms. Britt would tell Mr. Trump that she deserved his endorsement instead.

Seven months later, in March 2022, Mr. Trump withdrew his endorsement as Mr. Brooks dropped in the polls. He backed Ms. Britt, calling her “an incredible fighter for the people of Alabama,” less than two weeks before her runoff election with Mr. Brooks in June.

Democrats seized on Ms. Britt’s selection for the Republican response as they try to make abortion rights and women’s issues central campaign topics.

Last month, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos should be considered children, imperiling access in the state to fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization. Ms. Britt, who has said that she believes life begins at conception , came out in support of access to I.V.F. after the ruling.

Ms. Britt, along with most Senate Republicans, voted this year against a breakthrough bipartisan bill to crack down on immigration while providing new aid to Ukraine.

On foreign affairs, she argued that Mr. Biden’s “strategy of appeasement” had led to chaos and turmoil around the world.

Ms. Britt, along with a small majority of Republicans, voted against an aid package to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan that ultimately passed the Senate.

Earlier on Thursday, Ms. Britt’s team distributed talking points that promoted her speech by comparing it to some of the most famous oratory in the nation’s history and urging fellow Republicans to praise the Alabama senator for coming across “like America’s mom.”

“His speech was tone deaf,” the talking points declared, before either Mr. Biden or Ms. Britt had spoken. “Hers was the perfect pitch.”

Jonathan Swan contributed reporting.

Michael C. Bender is a Times political correspondent covering Donald J. Trump, the Make America Great Again movement and other federal and state elections. More about Michael C. Bender

Kayla Guo covers Congress for The New York Times as the 2023-24 reporting fellow based in Washington. More about Kayla Guo

Our Coverage of the State of the Union

In a raucous state of the union address, president biden sought to reassure americans that at 81, he is ready for a second term..

Biden’s Performance: The president was feisty   and displayed a newly found solemnity and blunt combativeness . Republicans jeered  from their seats. And Democrats enthusiastically cheered their presidential nominee, even as a few aired their grievances about the war in Gaza .

A Contrast With Trump: In his speech, Biden launched a series of fiery attacks  against former President Donald Trump, a competitor whom he did not mention by name but made clear was a dire threat to American democracy  and to  stability in the world .

Middle East Crisis: During the State of the Union, the president announced the construction of a port to deliver aid to Gaza. That decision, as well as the  authorization of aid airdrops  on the territory, raised uncomfortable questions  about America’s role in the war.

Seeking a Tricky Balance: As he spoke to Congress, Biden tried to demonstrate that he could be tough on the border without demonizing immigrants .

A Rare Mention: Biden briefly referenced a topic  that he has often been reluctant to embrace: marijuana. His words could signal a move toward promoting the efforts he has made to liberalize cannabis policy.

Style Choices: Democratic women in suffragist white , Marjorie Taylor Greene in MAGA red. The sartorial statement-making on the congressional floor was clear .

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Al Pacino explains why Oscars Best Picture presentation was so blunt

Pacino says oscars producers asked him to omit reading best picture nominess, article bookmarked.

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Al Pacino caused confusion at last night’s Oscars when he announced that Oppenheimer had won Best Picture without first reading out the names of the 10 nominees for the ceremony’s biggest prize .

However, The Godfather actor, 83, has now issued a statement to clarify that he was never asked to do so.

“There seems to be some controversy about my not mentioning every film by name last night before announcing the best picture award,” said Pacino. “I just want to be clear it was not my intention to omit them, rather a choice by the producers not to have them said again since they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony. I was honored to be a part of the evening and chose to follow the way they wished for this award to be presented.

“I realize being nominated is a huge milestone in one’s life and to not be fully recognized is offensive and hurtful. I say this as someone who profoundly relates with filmmakers, actors and producers so I deeply empathize with those who have been slighted by this oversight and it’s why I felt it necessary to make this statement.”

Pacino’s explanation was backed up by Oscars producers.

“It was a creative decision we made because we were very worried that the show was going to be long,” producer Molly McNearney told Variety . “By the time you get to the end of the show, you’ve seen all ten best picture clip packages. People just want to hear who wins, and they’re pretty ready for the show to be over. At least that’s what we anticipated.

“So, we did not give him a clip package. We did not give him nominations to read. I apologize if our decision to not have to read through all those nominations put him in a tough spot.”

Al Pacino presenting Best Picture at the 2024 Oscars

Pacino added to the confusion by announcing the winner in his own idiosyncratic way.

“Here it comes,” he said. “And my eyes see… Oppenheimer .”

“That made it a little confusing,” added McNearney, “But listen, that’s the excitement of live television. You never know what you’re going to get exactly!”

Host Jimmy Kimmel joked about Pacino’s delivery after the ceremony .

“I guess he’s never watched an awards show before,” Kimmel said. “It seems like everyone in America knows the rhythm of how it’s supposed to go… down to the ‘And the Oscar goes to…’ But not Al Pacino! God bless him.”

Rather than running long, the 2024 Oscars actually came in ahead of schedule. That allowed Kimmel the time to add an unscripted response to Donald Trump’s criticism of his hosting abilities on social media.

“Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars,” Trump wrote. “His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be…Also a really bad politically correct show tonight, and for years – Disjointed, boring, and very unfair. Why don’t they just give the Oscars to those that deserve them. Maybe that way their audience and TV ratings will come back from the depths. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

In response, Kimmel joked: “Blah, blah, blah … OK, now, see if you can guess which former president just posted that on Truth Social. Anyone? No? Well, thank you, President Trump. Thank you for watching, I’m surprised you’re still up – isn’t it past your jail time?”

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    Use a limited color palette: Stick to two or three colors throughout your presentation to create a cohesive look. Use simple fonts: Choose fonts that are easy to read and avoid using too many different font styles. Use plenty of white space: Use negative space to break up text and make the slides easy on the eye.

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  26. Local Students Take the State for Public Speaking Contest

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  27. Al Pacino Addresses Oscars Controversy Over His Best Picture ...

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