Self-presentation: focus, structure, interaction and visualisation

In the academic year 2022-2023 this course will take place offline. For the exact location see course dates below.

Nonetheless of how good you are in presenting, as soon as you step in front of an audience something inside you tends to change. It seems like you’re not completely yourself: your brain is not as quick as you would like it to be, you lack control, are unfocussed at times and/or start to talk faster without pausing. It might even be that you have nerves, moments of panic or black-outs that make presenting into something you’d rather avoid. 

During this three day course we will look into your natural way of doing and try to bring that to the stage, helping you to feel more relaxed and focused when interacting with your audience. 

We will have discussions about presenting and you will get lots of practice in order to develop a toolbox of techniques that will help you to become a better presenter. This course enables you to present yourself as who you are and nothing else, in front of whatever group, with a good feeling, with flair, persuasion and control. Final result: a presentation everyone will remember.

The workshop uses the following formats:  

• Discussions on the topic of self-presentation;
• Presentations and physical exercises;
• Feedback on self-presentation;
• Take-home assignments. 

A lot of the exercises make use of gamification, making it fun to learn.

During this 3-day course, you will learn how to reduce your nerves and/or perfect your presenting style using the 4 Focus technique, the Active Speech technique and the Barbara Minto pyramid principle. You will learn how to:

• Use different introduction styles (“Why you should listen to me”);
• Use the Barbara Minto Pyramid Principle: Content prioritisation and structure (homework);
• Design your slides: Slides as a springboard for your story (homework);
• Prepare for your presentation: Focus improvement and nerve reduction;
• Effectively transfer your information: Silence, body placement and posture;
• Use different styles to make your speech active: Float, Glide, Land, Flick;
• Tell your story with the help of 4 focus points: Audience, Slide, Hands, Virtual.

The course is suitable for all PhD candidates. No specific knowledge or experience is required to participate in the course.

In advance of the first course session you will be require to prepare an assignment, which will be forwarded well in advance of the first session. 

Session 1

• Getting control over your stress and getting focus
• Exploring ways to pitch or introduce
• Using eye contact to connect with your audience

Session 2

• Using 4 focus points: Audience, Slide, Hands, Imagination
• Using your body to shift focus

Session 3

• Managing your audience
• Body placement to keep the attention
• Dealing with interruptions from the audience