Oral Reports

High School Study Skills

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Select a topic. Try to narrow your topic as much as possible. Narrower topics lend themselves to stronger, more focused arguments.
Compile a bibliography of references. Organize the references with the author's last name first, then list them in alphabetical order and number them.
Gather information. As you record your notes, skip a line between each idea. After all the information is gathered, cut each idea from the paper, so you have many small slips of paper with a separate idea on each slip. This allows you to arrange and rearrange your ideas as you prepare your report.
Create an outline. Use regular notebook paper or a word processor as you revise and edit your report.
Transfer your outline to 3 x 5" index cards.
Resist the temptation to write or type the entire report. It is better to stop at the outline stage and improvise a bit for your actual presentation.

Stand in front of a mirror and watch yourself deliver the report. This will allow you to critique yourself thoroughly and objectively.
You should also tape record your presentation. There are two benefits of taping. One, your voice sounds very different than the way it sounds to you, so hearing it on the tape allows you to make a more objective evaluation. Two, when you practice on tape, you can turn the tape recorder off to make changes in the presentation or deal with interruptions like the phone or visitors. This allows the practice to be timed accurately to your teacher's specifications.
You may want to videotape your presentation. Beware, having a camera pointed at you is very disconcerting for some people. For others, it really brings out the performer. Either way, it is useful as an editing tool.
Edit your report with a friend who can be objective and critical. Your friend can tell you if your report makes sense, if it's boring, or if it has areas in need of improvement.
Refine and practice your report several times.

Dress well and look your best.
Use an attention getting opener. Be sure it relates to your subject. (a) tell a joke (b) use an interesting quotation that is controversial, signifies danger, or causes an emotional response (c) ask a rhetorical question that gets people thinking but does not necessarily require an answer, like "What is the truth?" (d) use silence--stand looking at the group for a count of 10 seconds. Your audience will think you have forgotten what you were going to say. If you can wait 15 seconds, they will be sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for anything to break the silence. Note: if you intend to use this method, inform your teacher--silence can be just as disconcerting for the teacher as it is for your classmates.
Provide a clear and succinct introduction to what you are going to report. Provide your supporting details. Close with a good summary of the presentation.
Keeping attention throughout your report is crucial. Use enthusiasm, modulate your voice in volume, tone, speed, and intensity.
Use an impressive closing. If you begin with a joke, end with a joke; likewise, if you begin with a quote or question, end with a quote or question. Do not, of course, end your report with silence. You'll have to use some other method to end if you used silence to begin.

Guidelines