a presentation can be formal or informal

Informal vs Formal Presentation: What You Need To Know

Table of contents, what is a formal presentation.

There are three key elements which make a presentation formal – your audience, your supporting material and the time you’re given to prepare in advance.

A presentation is considered formal when you’ve been asked to share ideas with an individual or group and you’ve been given time to prepare. Formal presentations require a very different approach than presenting to your team during a weekly meeting or in an impromptu discussion.

Let’s take a closer look at what goes into creating a formal presentation.

How Do You Create A Formal Presentation?

Creating a formal presentation is an art which requires hours of practice to create an effective presentation.

At Presentation Geeks, we know the importance of crafting an excellent formal presentation. That’s why we’ve put together a simple structured template of main points you should include in your next presentation to take it from a generic, informal presentation to a formal presentation which will surpass your audience’s expectations.

1 – Clearly Defined Goals

Before you begin writing your presentation or the speech you’ll deliver, you want to take the time to think about the following questions, “What do I want the audience members to remember and what is the key message I’m trying to drive?”.

Knowing your expected outcome is the goal of the presentation. Always keep reminding yourself what the goal is and don’t lose sight of it. This is the foundation of your formal presentation.

2 – Know Your Audience

Every audience is different and every audience consumes, absorbs and remembers information differently.

If you’re presenting to a graduating class of university students, your delivery will be much different than your presentation to an audience of senior executives at a Fortune 500 company or an audience of single mothers with newborns.

Get familiar with your audience members and prepare your presentation accordingly.

Bonus Tip: Try and figure out where the presentation will take place. Will it be held in an auditorium? A church? A boardroom? Perhaps it will even be held virtually. The venue in which your presentation will take place will also determine the supporting material you’ll use to help engage the audience during your presentation.

3 – Create An Outline

The success of your presentation depends on how well your audience can understand it. If you’re delivering a presentation that continuously jumps back and forth from one idea to another, your audience won’t follow and you’ll lose them.

Develop an outline that will guide the flow of your presentation. Think of it like a story. You want to keep it interesting. Provide appropriate examples that resonate with your audience. By tapping into an experience your audience is familiar with, it will work to your advantage as it will help the audience get engaged and keep them interested.

4 – Use Visual Aids

Using visual aids will help support your overall presentation and increase audience engagement.

Visual aids can include slides, videos, images and other visual supporting material. Although it might take some creative finesse to put visual aids together, you don’t have to do it alone.

Consider enlisting the help of a company that offers presentation design services. Presentation Geeks offers a variety of presentation services ranging from e-learning solutions, Google Slides, sizzle reels, Prezi design and much more!

5 – Dress Appropriately

Remember, first impressions are everything and your attire is a form of communication.

If you want to be seen as the expert on the topic matter and have people take your knowledge seriously, you want to dress appropriately.

Although this might seem like an outdated way of thinking, it is rooted in our psychology. These small details make or break a presentation and you don’t want to take a chance.

Don’t know where to start? Nine millionaires shared how they dress to make an impactful first impression which you can use in your wardrobe.

What are the types of formal presentations?

There are many types of formal presentations you’ll be exposed to throughout your career.

We’ve outlined six types of formal presentations you may consider when developing your next presentation.

However, if you’re looking for more examples of formal presentations in action, TED Talks are a great resource. TED Talks are presentations ranging on a variety of topics from science and business to motivational and unique life experiences.

Review the list below and determine which style your presentation will focus on. This will help you structure your notes, write your presentation and ultimately how you will present.

1 – Informative Presentation

This is the most common type of presentation, be it in an educational setting, business or corporate setting.

The aim of an informative presentation is to give detailed information about a product, concept, or idea to a specific kind of audience.

2 – Persuasive Presentation

Persuasive presentations are used to motivate or convince someone to act or make a change in their actions or thoughts.

3 – Demonstrative Presentation

A demonstrative presentation involves demonstrating a process or the functioning of a product in a step-by-step fashion.

4 – Inspirational Presentation

An inspirational presentation’s aim is to motivate or emotionally move your audience.

Using techniques like storytelling, narrating personal anecdotes, or even humor work wonders to enhance your presentation as your audience develops an emotional connection to the message.

5 – Business Presentation

A business presentation can encompass pitching client presentations , raising business capital, articulating company goals, RFP presentations , screening candidates, status reports, investment pitching and many more.

6 – PowerPoint Presentation

PowerPoint presentations or PPTs are the most effective ones among all types of presentations simply because they are convenient and easy to understand.

They are available in different formats and are suitable to use in practically any type of presentation and context, be it business, educational, or for informal purposes.

The only downside to PowerPoint presentations is the time it takes to create them and the creativity needed to make them stand out. Fortunately, there are PowerPoint presentation design services you can use that will help you save time and deliver new ideas in a creative way.

See What We Can Do For You

What is an informal presentation.

It is fairly common for business meetings to include impromptu presentations. Most presentations you’ll encounter are informal presentations.

These types of presentations are usually prepared in a short amount of time and do not require the same organizational methods as a formal presentation such as using audience engagement or presentation software.

Oftentimes, they are very much like a conversation and you won’t be using any note cards. The presenter is usually speaking to a much smaller audience where each audience member will feel like they’re being spoken to.

What Presentation Style Should I Use?

Now that you know what the difference is between a formal presentation and an informal presentation, it is now time for you to decide which style to choose.

More often than not, if you have the time to be reading this article, you have the time to prepare a presentation. That means you’ll likely lean towards the formal style.

Informal presentations are more impromptu and you won’t have the time to research it ahead of time like you are now. But since you do have the time, here are some additional resources to help you master the craft of a formal presentation.

Additional Resources To Master Your Formal Presentation

Presentation 101: How to become a better presenter . We’ve put together a list of 10 actionable items you can start working on to become a better presenter. This article covers body language such as eye contact and voice projection to the topic you’ll talk about.

Secondly, if your presentation is held online, you need to have the skills to present a virtual presentation. We’ve got you covered once again. We take a deep-dive into how to ace your virtual presentation . We cover virtual presentation software you might encounter,

The last article you should review to incorporate into your presentation arsenal is how to give and receive constructive presentation feedback . The only way you’ll improve is through ongoing feedback and data collection of what your audience thought of your presentation and presentation skills.

If these aren’t enough, download and review some of the past presentation work we’ve done for Fortune 500 companies and other industries to help spark some inspiration for your next presentation.

If you review these three articles and incorporate them into your next presentation, you’ll be on your way to becoming an influential speaker who can convert any audience with a well crafted presentation.

Author:  Ryan

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Understanding the difference: formal vs informal presentations

Learn the difference between formal and informal presentations and when to use them.

Supriya Sarkar

Problem-solving

Learn the difference between formal and informal presentations and when to use them. Enhance your presentation skills, with practical tips for any setting.

Presentations are a valuable tool—whether in academic, professional, or social settings. How information is delivered significantly impacts its reception and comprehension.

The two primary presentation styles that exist are formal and informal. While both serve distinct purposes, understanding their differences is crucial for effective communication.

This article covers the characteristics, usage, and strategies associated with formal and informal presentations—providing readers with comprehensive insights into both approaches.

Formal vs informal presentations: Definition

Creating a formal presentation requires careful planning and adherence to established guidelines. Presentations are usually structured and follow a predefined outline or agenda. This type of presentation is considered formal and is commonly given in professional settings such as board meetings, conferences, or academic seminars. Speakers maintain a professional disposition, employ formal language, and adhere to established standards of dress and conduct.

In contrast, informal presentations take on a different approach than presenting formally. They occur in more casual settings, like team meetings, workshops, or social gatherings. Informal presentations are often spontaneous and may be loosely structured or entirely improvised, allowing for more flexibility and spontaneity in delivery. Speakers adopt a conversational tone, often engaging the audience through anecdotes, humor, or personal stories.

When giving a formal presentation, it's common for business meetings to include a virtual presentation component, especially in today's digital age. This may involve using a slideshow to provide information to the audience. Speakers are usually given time to prepare their presentation and ensure that it meets the standards of professionalism expected in the given context.

However, when presenting to your team in a weekly meeting, the atmosphere is typically more relaxed. Presentations may feel more like a conversation, and speakers may take a less formal approach in delivering their content. This allows for a more interactive exchange of ideas among team members.

Characteristics of formal presentations:

The characteristics of a formal presentation encompass several key elements. Understanding and incorporating these elements can help you deliver formal presentations that are informative, engaging, and impactful.

Structure: Formal presentations follow a structured format, typically beginning with an introduction, followed by the main body, and concluding with a summary or conclusion. Each section is explained, with transitions facilitating smooth progression between topics.

Language: Formal presentations employ precise, technical language suited to the audience's expertise. Jargon and terminology relevant to the subject matter are commonly used, enhancing credibility and professionalism.

Visual aids: Visual aids such as slideshows, charts, or graphs are integral parts of formal presentations, aiding in information retention and comprehension. They are carefully designed to complement the spoken content, emphasizing key points and data.

Interaction: While interaction with the audience may occur in formal presentations, it is typically more structured, with designated question-and-answer sessions or opportunities for feedback at specific intervals.

Strategies for effective formal presentations:

The following strategies for formal presentations will enable you to communicate, engage the audience, and achieve your presentation objectives.

Preparation: Thorough preparation is essential for formal presentations. This includes researching the topic, organizing content logically, and rehearsing delivery to ensure fluency and confidence.

Clarity: Clear and concise communication is paramount in formal presentations. Articulate your points clearly, avoiding ambiguity or unnecessary complexity.

Engagement: While maintaining professionalism, you should strive to engage the audience through compelling storytelling, relevant examples, or thought-provoking questions.

Professionalism: Research on appearance-based inferences shows that formally dressed individuals are perceived as more competent and establish credibility. Dressing appropriately, maintaining eye contact, and exhibiting confidence are all characteristics of professionalism in formal presentations.

How to make an effective formal presentation?

Crafting an effective formal presentation involves meticulous planning, thorough preparation, and polished delivery. A well-crafted presentation script provides a solid foundation for exceptional delivery, enabling you to engage your audience and convey your message impactfully. Here are key steps to ensure success:

Define objectives:

Clarify the purpose and objectives of the presentation as it guides your planning and content creation process. A clear purpose ensures that you stay on track, maintain audience interest, and effectively communicate your message. Identify the key messages you want to convey and the desired outcomes you hope to achieve.

Know your audience:

Understand the needs, interests, and expectations of your audience as it allows you to create personalized content. By understanding your audience demographics, interests, and expectations, you can create content that resonates with them on a deeper level, increasing engagement and retention. Personalized content demonstrates that you value your audience's time and attention, leading to a more meaningful and impactful presentation experience for both you and your audience.

Research thoroughly:

Conducting comprehensive research on the topic is crucial to gather relevant information, data, and examples. This step is essential for several reasons:

-    It enables you to gain a thorough understanding of the subject matter, allowing you to speak confidently and authoritatively during your presentation. -    Thorough research helps uncover pertinent data, statistics, and examples to support your points, thereby enhancing the credibility of your presentation. -    In-depth research allows you to anticipate potential questions or objections from your audience and prepare thoughtful responses. -    Verifying the credibility of your sources ensures accuracy and relevance in your content.

By prioritizing comprehensive research, you equip yourself with the necessary knowledge and evidence to deliver a compelling and credible presentation.

Organize content:

Structure your presentation logically and coherently. Develop an outline or storyboard to organize key points, transitions, and visual aids effectively. A presentation outline acts as the foundation for a well-organized and impactful presentation. Here's why having one is crucial:

‍ -     Clarity and structure: An outline offers a clear framework, allowing you to organize your ideas logically. It ensures a smooth flow of information from start to finish, helping your audience grasp the main message effectively. -     Prevention of information overload: With a structured outline, you can prioritize key points and avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive details. This keeps your presentation focused and engaging. -     Time management: Effective time allocation is vital in presentations. An outline helps you manage time efficiently by dividing your content into manageable segments. This ensures that you stay within the allotted time and maintain a steady pace throughout your delivery.

Create compelling visuals:

Research indicates that over 50% of our brain is dedicated to processing visuals, highlighting the importance of visual storytelling in communication. Designing visually appealing slides or multimedia presentations to accompany your spoken content can significantly enhance audience engagement and improve information retention.

Compelling visuals not only make presentations more captivating but also facilitate the understanding of complex information. By incorporating clear and concise visuals such as charts, graphs, or images, you can effectively break down dense data or intricate processes into easily understandable and memorable segments.

This approach is particularly beneficial for business presentations, which often involve conveying valuable insights, system workflows, or customer journeys. Visual representations of statistics or stages help simplify complex information, making it more accessible and digestible for your audience.

Practice delivery:

Rehearse your presentation multiple times to familiarize yourself with the content and flow. It goes beyond just explaining your topic and data—it's also about mastering soft skills like speaking without reading, maintaining eye contact, and controlling your pace. This combination helps convey confidence and professionalism. Here's how rehearsing your presentation can benefit you in an effective presentation delivery :

‍ -     Enhances confidence: Regular practice boosts confidence and reduces anxiety, leading to a more polished and assured performance. -     Improves timing: Rehearsing helps refine the timing of the presentation, ensuring it fits within the allotted time frame. -     Enhances clarity: Practicing enables presenters to articulate their message clearly, improving audience comprehension. -     Refines delivery style: Repeated rehearsal allows presenters to refine their tone, pacing, and body language, enhancing overall communication effectiveness. -   Increases preparedness: Regular practice ensures presenters are well-prepared to handle unexpected situations or questions during the actual presentation.

Engage the audience:

An engaging and interactive presentation is more memorable as it prevents distractions and effectively communicates key messages. It also fosters a connection between the presenter and the audience, building rapport, trust, and a positive impression. To keep your audience engaged, consider the following tips:

-     Start with a compelling opening: Grab the audience's attention with a thought-provoking question, surprising fact, or relevant anecdote. -     Use visual aids: Incorporate visually appealing slides, videos, or images to enhance the presentation and reinforce key points. -     Tell stories: Share relevant stories or examples to make your points more relatable and evoke emotional connections. -     Encourage interaction: Foster engagement through polls, quizzes, or group discussions, and invite audience questions and thoughts. -     Involve the audience: Invite volunteers to participate in demonstrations or role-plays to encourage active participation and experiential learning. -   End with a call to action: Conclude with a clear call to action that motivates the audience to take the next steps, whether it's signing up for a newsletter or implementing new ideas.

Creating an interactive environment during a presentation is an art but it is not impossible to learn how to engage your audience . By incorporating the above-given tips into your presentation, you can help you create an engaging and memorable experience that resonates with your audience and achieves your presentation goals.

Handle Q&A sessions:

Q&A sessions are vital components of successful presentations as they gauge your preparedness, establish credibility, and provide clarity to stakeholders. To handle them effectively, it's essential to:

-   Prepare in advance: Anticipate potential questions and objections from the audience, and formulate clear, concise responses to address them effectively. -     Maintain composure: When facing challenging or confrontational questions, remain composed and avoid becoming defensive . Acknowledge concerns respectfully and respond thoughtfully. -   Restate and clarify: If necessary, restate questions for clarity before providing your response. This ensures that everyone understands the context and facilitates a more effective exchange. -     Redirect tactfully: If a question veers off-topic or becomes disruptive, tactfully redirect the conversation back to the presentation's focus while acknowledging the importance of the audience's input.

By following these strategies, presenters can navigate Q&A sessions with confidence, professionalism, and effectiveness.

Evaluate and adjust:

Evaluating and adjusting your presentation is essential for continuous improvement. After delivering your presentation, it's essential to seek feedback from audience members or peers to identify areas for improvement. If possible, take the time to review a recording of your presentation, paying close attention to verbal and non-verbal cues, audience reactions, and overall flow.

Use this review to pinpoint areas where adjustments can be made to enhance your delivery, such as modifying slides, refining talking points, or practicing delivery techniques. Each presentation should be viewed as a learning opportunity, encouraging continuous growth and refinement of your skills based on audience response and evolving objectives.

Understanding the significance of different types of formal presentations is essential for achieving presentation objectives effectively. Each type serves a specific purpose, catering to various communication needs in business contexts. By exploring these different forms, you can tailor your approach to suit the specific requirements of their audience and message. Dive into our article, " Exploring 8 different types of presentations to excel in business communication ," to gain valuable insights on different types of presentations and enhance your presentation skills.

Characteristics of informal presentations:

In the realm of formal vs. informal presentations, it's essential to recognize the unique characteristics that set informal presentations apart. Here's what distinguishes them:

Flexibility: Informal presentations offer greater flexibility in content and delivery. Speakers may deviate from a predefined structure, responding to audience feedback or incorporating spontaneous ideas.

Tone: The tone of informal presentations is conversational and relaxed, fostering a sense of fellowship and connection with the audience. Humor, personal anecdotes, and informal language are often employed to create a more engaging atmosphere.

Interactivity: Informal presentations encourage active participation from the audience, fostering conversation and collaboration. Speakers may invite questions, facilitate group discussions, or encourage audience members to share their experiences.

Visual aids: While visual aids may still be used in informal presentations, they are typically simpler and less formal than those used in formal settings. Hand-drawn diagrams, whiteboard sketches, or multimedia clips may supplement verbal communication.

Strategies for effective informal presentations:

When delivering an informal presentation, certain strategies can significantly enhance its effectiveness. By creating a relaxed and engaging atmosphere, informal presentations allow for a more conversational approach. Here are some key strategies to help you make the most of this dynamic setting:

Authenticity: Authenticity is key in informal presentations. You should express genuine enthusiasm and passion for the topic, fostering rapport and connection with the audience.

Adaptability: Flexibility and adaptability are essential in informal presentations. Be prepared to adjust their approach based on audience reactions, improvising as necessary to maintain engagement and interest.

Interactivity: Encouraging audience participation is crucial in informal presentations. You should create opportunities for dialogue, actively listening to audience feedback and incorporating it into the presentation where appropriate.

Engagement: Captivating the audience's attention is paramount in informal presentations. Make smart use of storytelling, humor, or interactive activities to maintain interest and foster a memorable experience.

How to make an impactful informal presentation:

Crafting a compelling informal presentation involves creating a relaxed and engaging environment while effectively conveying key messages. Here's how to enhance the impact of your presentation:

Start strong:

Starting your presentation strong is crucial to capture the audience's attention and set the tone for the rest of the session. A compelling opening statement, question, or anecdote can stimulate curiosity and encourage active participation from the outset.

Research suggests that when we anticipate a specific outcome, our attention may fade, but uncertainty about what comes next keeps us engaged. Therefore, using this principle can help maximize audience engagement and retention throughout your presentation.

Foster conversation:

Establishing a connection with your audience is key, and adopting a conversational tone and demeanor can help achieve this. By speaking naturally and using relatable examples, you can ensure clarity and engagement throughout your presentation. Avoiding complex jargon makes your message easier to follow, fostering a deeper connection with your audience. This approach creates a more inclusive and interactive atmosphere, enhancing the overall effectiveness of your presentation.

Harness the power of storytelling:

Storytelling is a powerful art form that can significantly enhance your overall message and captivate your audience. By incorporating storytelling, you can effectively illustrate complex ideas in a memorable and relatable manner. Share personal anecdotes or case studies that resonate with your audience, evoking emotions and deepening their understanding of the topic at hand. Through a compelling narrative, you can create a connection with your audience , making your message more impactful and memorable.

Encourage participation:

Encouraging participation involves involving the audience in the conversation right from the beginning. While presenting exhibit authenticity and confidence to foster an environment where questions, comments, and feedback are welcomed. This approach creates a participatory atmosphere where open dialogue and collaboration thrive, enhancing engagement and a sense of involvement among the audience members. By actively involving the audience throughout the presentation, you can create a more dynamic and interactive experience that resonates with the audience and encourages active participation.

Use visuals wisely:

When it comes to visual aids in informal presentations, simplicity and relevance are key. While formal presentations may rely heavily on polished powerpoint presentation slides, informal settings often favor more spontaneous tools like whiteboards, hand-drawn charts, and multimedia clips. These tools offer unique benefits, as they allow presenters to build visuals in real time, enhancing the impact of their spoken words.

‍ Using whiteboards or hand-drawn charts enables presenters to illustrate complex concepts on the spot, simplifying them for the audience's comprehension. This interactive approach fosters engagement and encourages audience participation. Additionally, multimedia clips can supplement verbal explanations, providing visual and auditory reinforcement to enhance understanding.

Inject humor appropriately:

Utilize humor to create a lively atmosphere and enhance audience engagement during your presentation. Incorporating wit and playful anecdotes not only lightens the mood but also encourages the audience to connect with and retain the information more effectively. By infusing your presentation with humorous elements, you can captivate your audience's attention and leave a lasting impression.

Stay flexible:

Stay responsive to your audience's reactions and feedback during your presentation to maximize your impact as a presenter. Pay attention to their non-verbal cues, which can offer valuable insights into their engagement and feelings toward the content. Embrace spontaneity and remain flexible, allowing space for improvisation to address audience interests or concerns in real time. This adaptability ensures that your presentation remains dynamic and relevant, fostering a deeper connection with your audience.

End on a strong note:

A strong conclusion ensures that the audience retains the most important information from the presentation and can motivate the audience to take certain actions. Additionally, it shows that the speaker has carefully considered the structure and content of the presentation, leaving a positive impression on the audience, and enhancing the speaker's credibility.

By implementing these strategies, speakers can create informal presentations that resonate with the audience, foster meaningful interactions, and make a lasting impact.

FAQ on informal vs formal presentation

What are the key differences between formal and informal presentations?

Explore the distinct characteristics and usage scenarios of formal and informal presentation styles, from the structured design of formal slideshows to the conversational flow of impromptu exchanges.

How can I effectively craft a formal presentation?

Discover the essential elements and strategies required for creating a polished formal presentation, including meticulous preparation, clear communication of main points, and engaging presentation design services.

Are impromptu presentations common in virtual settings?

Understand the prevalence of impromptu presentations in virtual environments and learn how to adapt presentation styles to effectively engage audiences during virtual meetings or discussions.

What organizational methods are typically employed in formal presentations?

Explore the organizational methods utilized in crafting a formal presentation, from outlining main points to structuring content for maximum impact and retention.

How can I engage my audience during a formal presentation?

Learn effective techniques for captivating your audience during a formal presentation, such as incorporating storytelling, utilizing persuasive presentation styles, and fostering interaction through questions and discussions.

Summarizing key takeaways:

• Understanding the difference : Presentations can be categorized into formal and informal styles, each requiring a different approach. Formal presentations are structured, planned, and usually occur in professional settings, while informal ones are more relaxed and spontaneous, akin to a conversation.
• Crafting effective formal presentations : Crafting a successful formal presentation involves meticulous preparation, clear communication, and professionalism. Speakers must dress appropriately, maintain eye contact, and employ precise language suited to the audience's expertise.
• Strategies for formal presentations : Key strategies for formal presentations include thorough preparation, clarity in communication, engagement through storytelling, professionalism in demeanor, and the use of compelling visual aids.
• Characteristics of informal presentations : Informal presentations offer flexibility, encourage interactivity, and adopt a conversational tone. They may include impromptu elements, involve the audience in discussions, and utilize simpler visual aids like whiteboards or multimedia clips.
• Strategies for informal presentations: Effective informal presentations prioritize authenticity, adaptability, interactivity, engagement through storytelling, visual aids tailored to simplicity and relevance, appropriate use of humor, flexibility in response to audience reactions, and a strong conclusion.
• Meeting audience expectations : Whether giving a formal or informal presentation, understanding audience expectations is crucial. Crafting presentations that align with audience needs, interests, and preferences enhances engagement, fosters connection, and increases the likelihood of achieving presentation goals.

How does Prezent help you in presentation creation?

Prezent uses Generative AI features to transform the process of presentation creation. It offers a wide range of features designed to streamline workflow, enhance visual appeal, and engage audiences effectively. Here's how it enhances workflow efficiency:

Templates and themes : Prezent provides you with a wide range of professionally designed templates and themes, offering the flexibility to choose the ideal layout and design for their presentations. With thousands of layouts available, covering various corporate agendas and topics, Prezent saves your valuable time and effort in creating visually appealing presentations tailored to their needs.

Collaboration tools : Prezent enables seamless collaboration among team members, allowing multiple users to edit and review presentations in real time. With features such as commenting, and shared access controls, teams can collaborate effectively and ensure consistency and accuracy in their presentations.

Data visualization tools : Prezent includes robust data visualization tools, allowing users to create compelling charts, graphs, and infographics to illustrate key points and trends. With customizable chart styles and interactive features, users can effectively communicate complex data in a visually appealing manner.

Audience analytics : With Prezent's communication fingerprint feature, you gain access to valuable audience analytics that offer insights into their data preferences and unique communication styles. This enables you to better understand your audience and tailor your content to their specific preferences, ultimately making your presentations more effective and impactful.

Learn more about Prezent and how it can boost your presentation effectiveness by booking a free trial . You can alternatively schedule a demo with our experts to explore Prezent’s AI capabilities.

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Informal vs formal presentation (plus tips on creating and delivering both)

To give a successful presentation, whether in front of a client, student, colleague, or stranger audience or virtually, you must understand the difference between formal and informal presentation. This article will help you learn just that and provide information on delivering powerful presentations in both styles to effectively promote your skills and make your audience more receptive to your message. So, let’s dive in!

What is a formal presentation?

Your audience, supporting materials, and the amount of time you have to prepare in advance are the main elements that define a presentation as formal.

A presentation is considered formal when you are requested to share your thoughts with a person or group and given the opportunity to prepare. This type of presentation requires a totally different approach than presenting to your team during an informal discussion or weekly meeting.

Formal presentations often take place in an academic or professional setting and adhere to a specific set of guidelines. They can be delivered orally or via video chat, which enables participants to connect from different locations and meet on screen so they can see each other while speaking without having anybody else around to listen.

The different types of formal presentations include:

• Informative
• Demonstrative
• Inspirational

Now that you know the formal presentation definition and its types, let’s examine how to create one in more detail.

How to make a formal presentation?

Crafting an excellent formal presentation that surpasses your audience’s expectations is an art that requires countless hours of practice to master.

Here at SlidePeak, we understand that a properly delivered formal speech can make a huge difference in how effectively someone expresses their thoughts. That’s why we’ve created this simple guide that will educate you on how to make your formal presentation PowerPoint the best it can be and help you prevent typical rookie mistakes.

What to include in the formal presentation:

• A clear introduction that captures the audience’s attention.
• A well-organized body that presents your research and supporting evidence.
• A brief conclusion that summarizes your main idea.

What is the voice of the formal presentation?

Typically, the voice of a formal presentation is strong, authoritative, and appealing. Such a voice is crucial when presenting or speaking to a large audience. This comes from your ability to make your voice resonate since a resonant voice is more pleasing and can make you sound more confident. Speaking softly or mumbling, on the contrary, might give the impression that you are uncertain and undermine the strength of your presentation.

Tips for creating a formal presentation:

• Clearly define your goals.
• Get to know your audience and prepare a presentation accordingly.
• Ensure the topic you choose is suitable for the audience.
• Conduct in-depth research and collect reliable data.
• Craft a detailed outline that will guide the presentation’s flow.
• Include questions for audience interaction.
• Choose a professional presentation format, such as Keynote or PowerPoint.
• Add visual aids (e.g., slides, videos, images) to support your presentation and increase audience engagement.

Don’t know where to start? Check this formal presentation example or enlist the help of PowerPoint presentation services to save time and ensure your ideas are presented in an appealing way that combines aesthetics alongside content.

Tips for delivering a formal presentation in person

When giving a formal presentation, there are also a few things to consider:

• Ensure you are well prepared.
• Speak slowly and try to be as clear as possible.
• Look your audience in the eyes when speaking.
• Use formal language.
• Dress appropriately, as first impressions are everything.

Tips for delivering a formal presentation virtually

If you are going to give an online presentation, make sure to consider the below tips in addition to the ones above.

• Choose a background that looks professional.
• Test your video and audio settings beforehand.

So, what is the difference between a formal and informal presentation? Read on to find out what an informal presentation is, what makes it different from a formal one, and how to give one like a pro.

Informal presentation definition

Informal presentations, also known as impromptu presentations, can be presented in a variety of settings. They have the same structure as formal ones but are less formal. This type of presentation can be delivered in person or virtually via video chat and frequently has a more conversational tone.

An informal presentation is pretty common for business meetings and is typically prepared quickly, without much organization. It’s more like a conversation where everyone feels like they’re being spoken to directly by the presenter rather than watching the presenter talk to an audience from behind slides. This makes it a fantastic way to engage the audience. And unlike a formal, lecture-like presentation with a few questions at the end, informal presentations are often followed by vivid discussions.

Tips for creating informal presentations:

• Understand the purpose of your presentation.
• Pick a topic that is suitable for the setting and audience.
• Conduct research, but don’t try to compile as much data as for a formal presentation.
• Make an outline, but it doesn’t have to be as thorough as one for a presentation in a formal setting. Instead, hit what’s important.
• Choose an appropriate presentation format, such as a PowerPoint or whiteboard.
• Consider a hand-out (in case of an in-person presentation).

Here are some excellent informal presentation examples to get you started:

Pro tip: If you have an outdated presentation on a similar topic or one with a similar structure but on a different topic, you can opt for a PPT redesign service and have it revamped while you practice your presentation or indulge in other important activities.

How to give an informal presentation?

There are a few things to remember when delivering informal presentations, and they are as follows:

• Ensure you are adequately prepared.
• Keep eye contact with the audience.
• Stick to a conversational, positive, and optimistic tone.
• Don’t mumble; speak slowly and try to be as clear as possible.
• Interact with your audience: ask questions and allow feedback.
• Insert on-purpose jokes every now and then (if suitable for the audience).
• Make sure to test your audio and video settings (in case of a virtual presentation).

Wrapping up

Both formal and informal presentations have their benefits. However, it’s crucial to take your particular situation into account to choose the most appropriate style, as formal presentations are more acceptable in a professional setting, while informal ones work better if there is no formality requirement (e.g., team discussion, conference, weekly meeting).

“But what is the secret to delivering powerful presentations in both styles?” you might ask. The answer is pretty straightforward: when you’re putting together your presentation, always ensure that your organization and research abilities work in harmony and find time to practice. Remember, practice makes perfect, and passion persuades. Polished presenting skills provide payoffs. Speak slowly and clearly, look your audience in the eyes, and give them something to talk about when your speech is over.

For assistance with the presentation design part, you can always count on slidepeak.com . Our dedicated team is at your service 24/7!

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Formal vs Informal Presentations: A Complete Breakdown

Have you ever kept funny snaps of your friends or siblings to play them on a big screen on their birthday?       

Whether it be a corporate setup, college project, or merely a friends get-together slideshow, presentation skills always leave your audience with a great impact.

Knowing what type of presentation will serve you best and capture your audience's attention is vital for its success.

With that in mind, here we break down the ins and outs of formal and informal presentations. Hopefully, you’ll find all your answers in the next 5-6 minutes.

Formal vs Informal Presentation Styles

Formal presentations.

These are the types of presentations one would give in a formal setting, as the word itself suggests, something you would do in an office or a business meeting, sometimes even a job interview.

Thus, there are many crucial factors that you should keep in mind while preparing for this type of presentation . Some of the most significant factors are as follows:

• Choosing the right topic
• Knowing the audience
• Informative rather than creative
• To the point
• Length as required
• Proper dressing and body language
• Keep the jokes to a minimum
• Keeping the audience's interest without losing the essence
• Choosing the suitable color scheme for a slideshow
• Proper structure and formats

If your setup ticks everything on this checklist, then you're good to go!

Informal Presentations

Now, these are the types of presentations you would give in a more straightforward and friendly setting, something you would give in a lighter note to your friends & family or co-workers.

This would include a family slideshow, memories from a trip, or pitching an idea to your colleagues before you give your boss the formal version of it.

Here is the 10-point consideration list for informal presentations

• Choose a captivating topic
• Creativity plays a significant role
• Proper dressing isn't a must
• Body language should be more open and welcoming
• You probably should keep a couple of jokes in
• Keep it short but get your point across
• Put more pictures to keep your audience glued
• More engagement with the audience
• Prefer more bright colors
• Formats and structure aren't important

This list makes sure to give you and your audience a lovely time!

How to Decide Which Presentation Would Be the Best?

A formal situation.

Has the boss asked you to do some work? Or are you preparing to impress those investors? Perhaps a group project in front of the whole school? Or a dream job interview?

All those are straight-up indicators that a formal presentation would do you best. This is because all these situations demand a degree of seriousness and professional work as you would be working towards portraying your presentation as a skilled worker who keeps everything to the topic.

Here are a few indicators to look out for

• Is the work official?
• Has it been assigned to me by someone of authority?
• Does it have deadlines?
• What's at stake?
• How important is the responsibility?
• Is there a format/structure for it?
• Will you have to present in an organized setup?

As such, deciding the right type to present might go a long way.

An Informal Situation

Is it for recreational purposes? Are your close friends the audience? Are you presenting photos of a recent trip? Game night with family?

It's a no-brainer that all these situations call for an informal presentation, as instead of worrying about being professional, you have to be concerned about keeping everyone interested.

Furthermore, this doesn't necessarily have to be too serious and should be held on a much lighter note compared to formal situations.

• Is it an unofficial work?
• Have you decided to make a presentation yourself?
• Do you decide on the deadlines?
• Not too much at stake?
• Do you determine the format?
• Will you present in an informal setup?
• Does the responsibility depend on you?

To conclude, a rightly made presentation leaves a significant impact.

That is what we will talk about next!

How to Make the Right Presentation for the Right Situation

Steps to make a formal presentation.

To make this type of presentation, here are things required beforehand:

• Proper research
• Using information from trusted sites only
• Compilation in a brainstorming document
• Choose a solid but formal color scheme
• Limit the number of slides
• Research your content thoroughly for any questions
• Filter any unwanted data from your research
• Make a mind map of how you want your presentation to look like
• Organize all your information in the formats provided

Done with these steps? Now onto things to ensure you are ready for the big day:

• Check if your presentation is in one flow
• Avoid monotony
• Make sure you practice your speech enough
• Try a mock presentation to calm any nerves
• Make sure your tone is just right
• Practice a serious body language
• Pick out an outfit that fits right to your presentation
• Make sure you look presentable

That said, a formal presentation also requires some post-presentation work. This involves a fair question-and-answer session to encourage feedback from your audience and welcome any criticism. Moreover, these can be essential steps to gain your audience's respect.

Steps to Make an Informal Presentation

To make this type of presentation here are things required beforehand:

• Collect all your information that will interest your audience
• Source of information shouldn't be an issue
• Brainstorming is optional
• Bright colors will make your presentation look more lively
• Don't make it too long and boring
• Memorizing information isn't a must
• Fill it with pictures
• Choose the right theme
• Make sure it isn't mundane
• Have a lively tone
• Involve and engage everyone
• Time isn't a constraint as long as everyone is enjoying
• Include jokes and interesting analogies
• Choose an outfit that fits your theme
• Involve skits and other presenters to mix things up

The post-presentation work requires asking people for their views on it. Ask them what they liked best and what you could do better; start a conversation .

Types of Presentations

• Informative Presentation: This is the most used type of presentation, be it in a school setting, office, or corporate situation. The purpose of an informative presentation is to give information about a sample, concept, or idea to a particular type of person.
• Persuasive Presentation: Persuasive presentations are to encourage or compel someone to work or make a difference in their life or views.
• Demonstrative Presentation :  A demonstration requires a presentation or the working of a product or procedure in a step-by-step manner.
• Inspirational Presentation: An inspirational presentation aims to affect or emotionally impact your presenters. Using explanations, talking about personal experiences, or even a keen sense of humor work in miles to perfect your presentation as people develop a sentimental bond to the presentation.
• Business Presentation: A business presentation can involve pitching a new product or conveying and selling a product to your investors. You can prepare a business presentation individually or collectively. You then base the content on your or the client’s needs and present it in a way that sells your idea to the client.
• PowerPoint Presentation: PPTs are the most commonly used type of presentation used almost worldwide for any kind of setting. PPTs have preset formal templates that you can use for any sort of presentation mentioned above.
• Interactive Presentation: This can contain interactions and choices with which the presenter or the audience can interact , which decides the course of the presentation.
• Slideshow Presentation: This usually contains a picture of either an event or a specific trip intended to show to friends or family. It barely has text and focuses more on visual aids .

Related: 14 Types of Speeches for All Occasions

Mixing It Up: The Formal and Informal Presentation Hybrid

A hybrid means a mixture or something in between two extremes. Have you ever wondered what creating a formal and informal mixture hybrid would be like? 

This would mean that while your audience can be a mixture of both, we can go out on a limb and be more flexible. This implies while wearing formal clothes, we can still have a sense of humor.

Additionally, while using bright colors, we can still keep the information serious and to the point.

When to use this, though?

You can use this hybrid in situations where you are the one in the position of authority and you are the one responsible.

One can use this to portray their uniqueness, impress, and leave a significant impact.

Summary: Informal vs Formal Presentations

A presentation is said to be formal when you have been asked by someone else in authority to share your ideas with a specific audience and have also been provided preparation time.

Additionally, formal presentations call for a totally different approach compared to an impromptu meeting.

Will you be standing in front of hundreds, or will you speak to a limited number of people? Will you be presenting to your boss and investors? Or are you presenting a family slideshow? 

You must know the people you will be presenting to, so you can shape your content in order to them. Furthermore, handing out brochures or flyers can also have a lasting effect on the audience.

Formal presentation equals formal wearing, whereas informal leans towards something more casual. A proper suit or a business dress is the way to go. Don't forget to stand up before presenting, though!

Have a question-and-answer session! Ask them about their opinions.

Informal presentations are more of an action and looking out for a reaction setup, keeping your audience interested and interacting. It ends up being a fun conversation. 

Formal presentations are more about you talking and them listening . Whereas informal ones are interaction and engagement based.

It is preferred to encourage discussion during an informal presentation and let it take its course while also returning to the topic naturally.

Choosing the right color schemes and slide lengths for any kind of presentation can decide its fate. It directly affects interaction rates and the audience's willingness to engage with the given work.

The hybrid system is the one where we can include both types of presentation to create something unique. However, it may be unconventional but can end up being totally out of the box if done correctly.

To conclude, presentations can be a daily routine in our work and school lives.

Among the various types of presentations, choosing the right one is the first and somewhat the most crucial step as it will decide the success of your presentation.

Properly conducting yourself and choosing from suitable options can go a long way. Formal and informal presentations require different approaches, content, and styles.

Thus, you should understand your audience and the purpose of the presentation before deciding on a method. That said, we hope you understand what's best for you. Happy presenting!

How To Master Formal and Informal Presentations: Key Differences

Table of contents.

Did you know that 75% of professionals believe that effective presentations and oral statements are crucial for career success? Views on this matter are supported by the fact that a well-delivered paragraph can greatly impact one’s professional growth. In addition, informal discussions also play a significant role in career advancement. Whether it’s pitching a new idea, delivering a job interview speech, or leading a team discussion, the ability to captivate an audience and hold their attention is invaluable. This skill is especially important when presenting different types of views or discussing specific clauses and sections of a topic. While formal presentations have long been the go-to method for sharing information and ideas, there’s a growing recognition of the power and impact of informal presentations . Informal presentations are gaining popularity due to their ability to engage different types of audiences and offer a more relaxed atmosphere . This recognition is leading to an increase in the number of people who prefer informal presentations over formal ones, as they believe it allows for more authentic and genuine interaction s. As a result, the use of informal presentations is becoming a common practice in various industries, with many organizations incorporating this type of presentation into their communication strategies.

Unlike traditional slideshow-driven talks, informal presentations focus on fostering genuine conversations and encouraging active participation to create an open exchange of thoughts, ideas, and views. This type of presentation does not rely on a rigid clause structure but instead values organic dialogue. We’ll outline the key differences between formal and informal presentation styles , discuss their unique benefits, and provide practical tips on how to deliver an impactful informal presentation. In this blog post, we will specifically focus on the different types of presentation styles, including formal and informal, and highlight their benefits. Additionally, we will provide practical advice on delivering an impactful informal presentation that captures the attention of your audience and leaves a lasting impression.

So if you’re looking for a different approach to captivate your audience and make meaningful contributions in any setting, buckle up as we dive into the world of informal presentations. These presentations can help you engage with your audience and express your views in a more relaxed and conversational manner. By using this type of presentation, you can also incorporate the use of visual aids and interactive elements to enhance the clause of your message. Get ready to unlock your conversational prowess!

Understanding the Difference between Formal and Informal Presentations

Definition and characteristics of formal presentations.

Formal presentations are typically structured, organized, and follow a specific set of rules. These rules often include a clause and depend on the type of presentation. They are often delivered in professional settings such as conferences, board meetings, or academic environments. These types of speeches are commonly given in various professional scenarios, including conferences, board meetings, and academic environments. These type of presentations tend to be more serious in nature and require a high level of professionalism. The clause is that they demand a certain level of seriousness and professionalism. Some key characteristics of formal presentations include:

• Structured Approach: Formal presentations of any type have a well-defined structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Each section in this blog post serves a specific purpose to effectively convey information about the type of content being discussed.
• Professional Language: The type of language used in formal presentations is usually precise, concise, and avoids slang or colloquialisms. The type of tone in this blog post is formal and respectful to maintain a sense of professionalism.
• Visual Aids : Formal presentations often incorporate visual aids such as slideshows or charts to enhance understanding and engage the audience visually.
• Time Management : Time management is crucial in formal presentations as there is typically a set time limit for each speaker. Presenters need to ensure they stay within the allocated time while effectively delivering their message.
• Audience Interaction : While there may be opportunities for questions at the end, formal presentations generally prioritize delivering information rather than engaging in extensive audience interaction during the presentation itself.

Definition and Characteristics of Informal Presentations

Informal presentations are more relaxed in nature and allow for greater flexibility compared to their formal counterparts. They are commonly seen in casual settings like team meetings, brainstorming sessions, or social gatherings where there is a focus on sharing ideas or discussing topics collaboratively. Here are some defining characteristics of informal presentations:

• Flexibility: Unlike formal presentations that adhere strictly to a predetermined structure, informal presentations offer greater flexibility in terms of format and content organization.
• Conversational Tone: Informal presentations often adop t a conversational tone, allowing presenters to engage with the audience more casually. This includes the use of personal pronouns, anecdotes, and humor to create a relaxed atmosphere.
• Less Reliance on Visual Aids: While visual aids can still be used in informal presentations, they are typically less formal and may include more casual elements such as memes or gifs to add humor or emphasize points.
• Audience Interaction: Informal presentations encourage active participation and engagement from the audience throughout the presentation. This can involve asking questions, seeking input, or encouraging discussions.
• Adaptable Time Management: Unlike formal presentations where time management is crucial, informal presentations allow for more flexibility in terms of time allocation.

Key Elements of an Effective Informal Presentation

Importance of engaging the audience through storytelling.

Engaging the audience is a crucial aspect of delivering an effective informal presentation. One powerful way to captivate your audience is through storytelling . By weaving personal anecdotes or relatable narratives into your presentation, you can create an emotional connection with your listeners. Storytelling not only grabs their attention but also helps them connect the information presented to real-life experiences.

When incorporating storytelling into your informal presentation, consider using vivid language and descriptive details to paint a picture in the minds of your audience members. This will help them visualize the content and make it more memorable. Sharing personal stories or anecdotes can add authenticity and credibility to your presentation, as it shows that you have firsthand experience or knowledge about the topic at hand.

Utilizing Visual Aids to Enhance Understanding

Another key element of an effective informal presentation is the use of visual aids. Visual aids such as slides, diagrams, charts, or videos can greatly enhance understanding and retention of information for your audience members. These visual elements provide a visual representation of complex ideas or data, making it easier for people to grasp and remember.

When creating visual aids for your presentation, keep in mind that simplicity is key. Use clear and concise visuals that support and complement your spoken words rather than overwhelming or distracting from them. Avoid cluttered slides or complicated graphics that may confuse or bore your audience.

Visual aids should be used strategically throughout your presentation to reinforce key points, highlight important information, or illustrate concepts that are difficult to explain verbally alone. Remember to refer back to these visuals during your talk and provide explanations or insights related to what is being shown on the screen.

Encouraging Interaction and Participation During the Presentation

Incorporating interaction and encouraging participation from your audience is vital for creating an engaging informal presentation. Instead of simply talking at them, aim for a more interactive and dynamic approach that involves your listeners. This can be achieved through various means, such as asking questions, conducting polls or surveys, or facilitating small group discussions.

By actively involving your audience, you create a sense of ownership and investment in the presentation. This not only keeps them attentive but also allows for a deeper understanding and retention of the information shared. Encouraging participation can also help address any potential doubts or questions that may arise during the presentation, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

To encourage interaction, consider using open-ended questions that promote discussion rather than simple yes-or-no answers. Allow ample time for audience members to share their thoughts or experiences related to the topic at hand. Incorporate activities or exercises that require active participation from everyone present.

Characteristics and Benefits of Formal and Informal Presentation Styles

In the world of presentations, there are two distinct styles that can be employed: formal and informal. Each style has its own unique characteristics and benefits, catering to different types of events and audiences. Let’s explore these two presentation styles in more detail.

Formal: Structured, Professional, Suitable for Official Events

Formal presentations are characterized by their structured nature and professional tone. These presentations are often used in official settings such as conferences, board meetings, or academic symposiums. The key aspect of a formal presentation is maintaining a sense of professionalism throughout the delivery.

One of the main benefits of a formal presentation is its structured format. It allows presenters to organize their content in a logical manner, making it easier for the audience to follow along. This structure often includes an introduction, body sections with clear points or arguments, supporting evidence or data, and a conclusion that summarizes key takeaways.

Another advantage of formal presentations is that they create an atmosphere of credibility and authority. By adhering to a professional tone and using appropriate language, presenters can establish themselves as experts on the subject matter. This can help build trust with the audience and enhance the overall impact of the presentation.

Informal: Relaxed, Conversational, Fosters Connection with the Audience

On the other end of the spectrum is informal presentations. These presentations have a more relaxed and conversational style compared to their formal counterparts. Informal presentations are often used in smaller group settings or casual events where a personal connection with the audience is desired.

The primary characteristic of an informal presentation is its conversational tone. Presenters use everyday language, anecdotes, humor, and engage directly with the audience to create an interactive experience. This style fosters a sense of connection between presenter and audience members.

Informal presentations offer several benefits over formal ones. Firstly, the relaxed atmosphere of an informal presentation puts the audience at ease, making them more receptive to the information being shared. This can lead to increased engagement and participation from the audience.

Secondly, informal presentations tend to be more memorable for the audience. The conversational style allows for a deeper level of connection and understanding between presenter and listener. As a result, the audience is more likely to retain and recall the information presented long after the presentation has concluded.

Benefits of having strong presentation skills include increased engagement, better retention of information, and adaptability to different situations. These skills are particularly important in job interviews and when providing services as they help individuals effectively convey their main points.

Both formal and informal presentation styles offer unique benefits that cater to different situations and audiences. Let’s take a closer look at these advantages:

How to Decide Which Presentation Would Be the Best?

Considering the purpose and context of the presentation.

When deciding which presentation style would be the best, it’s crucial to consider the purpose and context of your presentation. Ask yourself what you hope to achieve and what message you want to convey. Are you trying to inform, persuade, or entertain? Understanding your goals will help determine whether an informal or formal presentation is more suitable.

For example, if you’re presenting a business proposal to potential clients, a formal presentation may be more appropriate as it conveys professionalism and seriousness. On the other hand, if you’re delivering a training session within your organization, an informal approach might be better suited for fostering engagement and interaction.

Assessing audience expectations and preferences

Another important factor in deciding which presentation style is best is assessing audience expectations and preferences. Consider who your audience is and what they are accustomed to. Are they expecting a traditional PowerPoint-style presentation with slides and bullet points, or are they open to a more casual format?

Understanding your audience’s preferences can help you tailor your presentation accordingly. For instance, if your audience consists of younger individuals who are used to interactive presentations with multimedia elements, an informal approach that incorporates videos or group activities may be well-received.

Evaluating desired outcomes and level of formality required

The desired outcomes of your presentation also play a role in determining which style would be most effective. Think about what specific actions or responses you want from your audience after the presentation. Do you want them to make a decision, take action, or simply gain knowledge?

In some cases, a formal presentation may be necessary when dealing with sensitive topics where precision and accuracy are paramount. However, for less complex subjects where creativity and spontaneity can enhance engagement, an informal approach might yield better results.

It’s also essential to consider the level of formality required based on the setting or industry norms. Some industries or environments demand a more formal presentation style due to their nature, such as legal or financial sectors. Conversely, in more relaxed settings like creative industries or informal gatherings, an informal presentation can create a more comfortable and engaging atmosphere.

Types of Presentations (Formal and Informal)

In the world of presentations, there are two main types: formal and informal. Each type serves a different purpose and is suited for various settings. Let’s take a closer look at these two types and understand their differences in tone, structure, and delivery style.

Examples of Formal Presentations

Formal presentations are often associated with professional settings such as business conferences or academic lectures. These presentations have a more serious tone and follow a structured format. Here are some examples of formal presentations:

• Business Conferences: In a business conference, presenters aim to convey important information or share insights with an audience consisting of professionals from various industries. The content is usually well-researched, data-driven, and delivered in a formal manner.
• Academic Lectures: Professors or subject matter experts deliver academic lectures to students in educational institutions. These presentations focus on teaching complex concepts, theories, or research findings. The language used is typically formal and technical.

Examples of Informal Presentations

On the other hand, informal presentations are more relaxed and casual in nature. They are commonly seen in team meetings, workshops, or even TED talks where speakers engage with the audience on a personal level. Here are some examples of informal presentations:

• Team Meetings: In team meetings, colleagues come together to discuss project updates, brainstorm ideas, or share progress reports. The atmosphere is less rigid compared to formal presentations, allowing for open dialogue among team members.
• Workshops: Workshops provide interactive learning experiences where participants actively engage in discussions and activities facilitated by a presenter. These sessions encourage collaboration and creativity through hands-on exercises.
• TED Talks: TED talks have gained immense popularity due to their engaging nature and ability to deliver powerful messages in an informal setting. Speakers often use storytelling techniques to captivate the audience while sharing their unique perspectives.

Highlighting Differences in Tone, Structure, and Delivery Style

The key differences between formal and informal presentations lie in their tone, structure, and delivery style.

• Tone: Formal presentations adopt a more serious and professional tone, using formal language and avoiding slang or colloquialisms. In contrast, informal presentations embrace a conversational tone that connects with the audience on a personal level.
• Structure: Formal presentations typically follow a structured outline with clear sections such as an introduction, main points, supporting evidence, and conclusion. Informal presentations may have a looser structure that allows for spontaneity and flexibility depending on the presenter’s style.
• Delivery Style: In formal presentations, speakers often rely on visual aids like PowerPoint slides to enhance their message.

Mixing It Up: The Formal and Informal Presentation Hybrid

In the world of presentations, there’s often a clear divide between formal and informal styles. However, what if we could combine the best of both worlds? Enter the hybrid approach—a unique blend that incorporates elements from both formal and informal presentations. This article will explore this innovative approach, discussing its appropriateness in different scenarios and highlighting the benefits it offers.

Exploring a Combination Approach

The hybrid presentation style is all about finding a balance between formality and informality. It involves incorporating certain elements of an informal discussion into a more structured format. By doing so, presenters can create an engaging and interactive experience while maintaining professionalism.

One way to achieve this combination is by adopting a conversational tone throughout the presentation. Instead of strictly adhering to a rigid script or formal language, presenters can inject some personality into their delivery. This allows for better connection with the audience and helps to establish rapport.

Another aspect of the hybrid approach is incorporating visual aids or multimedia elements that are commonly associated with informal presentations. Including relevant images, videos, or interactive slides can help to break up the monotony of a traditional formal presentation and keep participants engaged.

When Is the Hybrid Approach Appropriate?

While the hybrid style may not be suitable for every situation, there are specific instances where it can be highly effective:

• Informative Presentations : When presenting information-heavy content such as data analysis or research findings, using a hybrid approach can make it more digestible for the audience. Breaking down complex concepts through casual conversation or relatable anecdotes helps participants grasp key points more easily.
• Team Meetings : In team meetings or brainstorming sessions, adopting a hybrid style encourages open communication among team members. By creating an environment that feels less rigid and hierarchical, individuals are more likely to share ideas freely without fear of judgment.
• Training Sessions : When conducting training sessions or workshops, a hybrid approach can foster a more interactive and engaging learning experience. Incorporating group discussions, hands-on activities, or even incorporating gamification elements can enhance knowledge retention and participant involvement.

Benefits of the Hybrid Approach

The hybrid presentation style offers several advantages that make it worth considering:

• Engagement : By combining elements from informal presentations, the hybrid approach keeps participants engaged throughout the session. The conversational tone and interactive components create a dynamic environment that encourages active participation.
• Flexibility : The hybrid style allows presenters to adapt their delivery based on audience feedback or preferences. They can gauge the level of formality required and adjust accordingly during the presentation, ensuring that participants are comfortable and receptive to the content.

How to Choose a Presentation Style

One of the key decisions you need to make is choosing the most suitable style. While formal presentations have their merits, informal presentations can also be highly effective in engaging and connecting with your audience.

Identifying Personal Strengths in Delivering Formal or Informal Presentations

When deciding on a presentation style, it’s important to consider your own strengths and comfort level as a speaker. Some individuals thrive in formal settings, where they can demonstrate professionalism and authority through structured speeches and polished delivery. On the other hand, if you are more relaxed and charismatic in casual conversations, an informal presentation style might suit you better.

• Formal presentations allow you to showcase your expertise and knowledge.
• They provide a sense of structure and formality that can be reassuring for both you and your audience.
• Formal presentations are often perceived as more professional and credible.
• Formal presentations may feel rigid or scripted for some speakers.
• The pressure to adhere strictly to a formal format can lead to increased anxiety or nervousness.
• It may be challenging to establish a genuine connection with the audience when using a formal approach.

On the flip side, informal presentations offer greater flexibility for speakers who prefer a conversational tone. This style allows for spontaneity, storytelling, humor, and interaction with the audience. If you excel at building rapport quickly or engaging listeners through relatable anecdotes, an informal presentation style might be ideal for you.

• Informal presentations create a relaxed atmosphere that encourages open dialogue.
• They allow for more creativity in delivery techniques such as storytelling or incorporating multimedia elements.
• Informal presentations can foster stronger connections with the audience by showcasing authenticity and personality.
• Informal presentations may require more improvisation and quick thinking.
• Without a structured format, it’s important to maintain focus and avoid rambling or going off-topic.
• Some formal settings or topics may not be suitable for an informal presentation style.

Considering Audience Preferences for a Specific Topic or Event

Another crucial factor in choosing a presentation style is understanding your audience’s preferences. Different audiences have varying expectations and respond differently to different styles of presentations. By tailoring your approach to their preferences, you can increase engagement and ensure that your message resonates effectively.

For example, if you are presenting to a group of executives or professionals in a formal business setting, a more traditional and structured style might be appropriate.

How to Adapt Your Presentation Style

Transitioning from a formal presentation style to an informal one, or vice versa, can be a challenging task. However, with the right approach and some key adjustments, you can successfully adapt your presentation style to suit different audiences and contexts. Here are some tips to help you navigate this transition effectively.

Tips for transitioning from a formal job interview to an informal presentation skills situation or vice versa can be helpful. Here are some steps to consider when navigating these different situations.

• Assess the audience: Before making any adjustments to your presentation style, it’s essential to understand your audience. Consider their demographics, such as age, education level, and professional background. This information will guide you in determining whether a more formal or informal approach is appropriate.
• Adapt your language use: One of the most significant differences between formal and informal presentations lies in the language used. When delivering a formal presentation, it’s crucial to use proper grammar, avoid slang or colloquialisms, and maintain a professional tone throughout. On the other hand, when presenting informally, you have more flexibility in using conversational language and incorporating relatable phrases or expressions.
• Adjust your visuals: Visual aids play an important role in presentations and can contribute significantly to setting the tone. In a formal setting, opt for clean and professional-looking slides with minimal distractions. For informal presentations, consider using more visually engaging elements like images or videos that resonate with your audience on a personal level.
• Be mindful of attire: Your appearance also plays a part in conveying formality or informality during a presentation. Dress appropriately for the occasion while considering what would make your audience feel comfortable and engaged.
• Use humor strategically: Humor can be an effective tool for engaging audiences during both formal and informal presentations. However, it’s important to gauge the appropriateness of humor based on the context and audience preferences.

Adjusting language use according to audience demographics

When adapting your presentation style, it’s crucial to consider the demographics of your audience. Different age groups, educational backgrounds, and professional experiences may respond better to specific language choices. Here are some key considerations:

• Simplify complex concepts: If you’re presenting to a diverse audience with varying levels of expertise, avoid using jargon or technical terms that might alienate certain individuals. Instead, focus on simplifying complex concepts and explaining them in relatable terms.
• Tailor your vocabulary: Adjusting your vocabulary is essential when addressing different demographics. For formal presentations, use precise and sophisticated language appropriate for the subject matter. In informal settings, opt for simpler words and phrases that resonate with your audience’s everyday language.
• Consider cultural nuances:

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of this blog post on formal and informal presentations. By now, you should have a clear understanding of the differences between these two styles and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Remember, There is no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s important to consider various factors such as audience, topic, and desired outcome. Formal presentations are great for professional settings where you need to convey information in a structured manner. On the other hand, informal presentations allow for more flexibility and can be effective in engaging and connecting with your audience on a personal level.

To make the most impact with your presentations, I encourage you to experiment with different styles and adapt them based on your specific situation. Don’t be afraid to mix it up by incorporating elements from both formal and informal presentation styles. This hybrid approach can help you strike a balance between professionalism and authenticity.

Now that you have all this knowledge at your disposal, go out there and give some amazing presentations! Remember to be confident, authentic, and always keep your audience engaged. Happy presenting!

If you found this article helpful or have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

What is an informal presentation?

An informal presentation is a relaxed and casual way of sharing information or ideas with others. It’s less structured than a formal presentation and often involves more interaction and discussion with the audience.

Why should I consider giving an informal presentation?

Informal presentations can be a great way to engage your audience in a more personal and conversational manner. They allow for open dialogue, encourage participation, and create a relaxed atmosphere that promotes better understanding and connection.

How do I prepare for an informal presentation?

To prepare for an informal presentation, start by clearly defining your key points or messages. Keep your content concise and focus on the most important information. Practice speaking in a natural and conversational tone to ensure you come across as approachable and engaging.

Can I use slang or colloquial language during an informal presentation slideshow or oral statement? In situations where I am presenting my work, is it appropriate to incorporate slang or colloquial language?

Absolutely! In fact, using slang, idioms, or colloquial language can help you connect better with your audience during an informal presentation. Just make sure to gauge the appropriateness based on the context and the familiarity of your audience with such language.

How can I make my informal presentation more interactive?

To make your informal presentation interactive, encourage audience participation through activities like Q&A sessions, group discussions, or small breakout exercises. Incorporating multimedia elements such as videos or interactive slides can also enhance engagement levels.

Is it okay to deviate from my prepared script during an informal presentation? This question often arises when creating a slideshow or oral statement. In certain situations, it may be appropriate to stray from the planned content and speak more freely. However, it is essential to maintain a coherent flow and ensure that each paragraph contributes to the overall message.

Yes! Informal presentations are meant to be flexible and adaptable. While having some key points in mind is important, feel free to deviate from your script if it allows for more spontaneous conversations or addresses specific questions raised by the audience.

What’s next after delivering an informal presentation?

After delivering an informal presentation, don’t forget to provide clear call-to-action steps for your audience. This could include sharing additional resources, inviting them to follow up with questions via email or social media, or encouraging them to take specific actions related to the topic discussed.

Formal, Interactive or Informal Presentation – Which Type Is Best?

Simon Morton shares a chapter of his latest book, “The Presentation Lab”.

Understanding the presentation landscape

There’s no getting away from it, bookstores, social media and the web are awash with great advice to support the business presenter. Tap “help with business presentations” into Google, and you’re greeted with over 450 million results.

The good news is that most of these links will offer considered, practical advice to help you navigate your way through a formal presentation. They’ll no doubt provide hints and tips on how to stand, project your voice and ensure that your PowerPoint slides look good. If you’re wearing a suit, presenting to an audience that knows not to ask any questions until the end of the presentation and are determined only to use PowerPoint as a visual aid, you’re in good hands.

The bad news is that most business presentations are nothing like this.

Indeed, most of the day-to-day presentation situations in which you’ll find yourself do not lend themselves to the (many) rules that surround formal presentations. You’ll often be presenting to a single individual over an informal coffee or to a group on a topic that needs greater levels of interaction than a linear PowerPoint slide deck will support. You might be next up on stage at a conference and can tell from the coma-like expressions of the conference audience that another 30-slide PowerPoint deck would push them over the edge.

Whatever the particular details, more and more presentation situations exist outside of this ‘formal’ environment. Yet pretty much the entire canon of presentation thinking remains transfixed on addressing the shortcomings of the “I speak, you listen” format.

How does the Presentation Landscape break down?

As with all good things in the presentation world, the landscape breaks down rather nicely into three key areas shown in the graphic below:

And while they aren’t hard-and-fast rules, there are some basic parameters we can use to determine which kinds of presentations might fit into each.

The Formal Presentation

Typical presentation scenarios that fall into the Formal category are bids and pitches, conferences and investor presentations. They have one thing in common: the presenter speaks and the audience listens, and then (ideally) a lively Q&A session kicks off at the conclusion of the presentation at the behest of the presenter. In short, the majority of the presentation is a broadcast rather than a conversation .

If it seems that I’m a little snooty about ‘Formal’ presentations, or that I feel they lack an intimacy that plays well with audiences, please know that this couldn’t be further from the truth. Getting ‘Formal’ presentations right is hard – damned hard. This is because these kinds of presentations, more than any other, are subject to disengaged audiences. They also frequently have more at stake, which inadvertently but understandably puts the presenter at a disadvantage before they’ve even stepped onto the stage. Formal presentations are also more likely to be ‘one-offs’ or delivered irregularly, which means that studious rehearsal is required by all involved (and, lest we forget, most of the intended rehearsal time will be eaten up by last-minute changes to the slides – an unavoidable part of human nature).

My semi-snooty tone might come from the fact that the Formal presentation structure has been foisted on presenters and audiences alike for way too long. We’ve followed the unwritten (and in some cases, written) rules regarding posture, diction and how many bullet points you’re allowed on a slide so slavishly that they’ve hindered audience engagement. Communication – the primary goal of most presentations – is, ironically, the first casualty of over formalizing.

So how do we fix this? Being a little more casual with all presentations is foolish, since some do demand the formal approach. However, a good place to start is to recognize that not all presentations fit the same mold.

This leads rather nicely onto our next category – the Interactive presentation.

The Interactive Presentation

The ability to interact has never been so widely embraced as it is today. Our media thrives on its ability to engage and interact with its audiences, from the occasionally hysterical discussion boards on newspaper websites to the hordes of business Tweeters and Facebookers, to the ease of voting contestants on and off reality TV shows. (My children don’t believe a Saturday evening in front of the TV is complete if they haven’t called a premium-rate phone line to vote off a dancer/singer/juggler who doesn’t meet their high standards.)

With interaction being so prevalent across the media landscape, it seems strange that presentations have, on the whole, managed to dodge the trend. It might be that conventional wisdom scorns the idea of an audience asking questions throughout a presentation; heaven forbid they got ideas above their station and started driving the presentation towards something that actually appealed to them. Or, it might be that presenters have preferred to stay within the lines and stick with the formal approach.

Another reason for the lack of interactivity in presentations is that presenters are simply not aware that many presentation tools at their disposal are eminently capable of supporting an interactive audience engagement.

The starting-off point is ultimately less about the tools you choose to use and more about the decision to move away from the Formal approach’s comfort zone. When we embrace the Interactive approach, we must rethink the rules and allow a presentation to become more about discussion than broadcast. This apparent lack of control demands that the presenter has a much greater grasp of the presentation story and message, an intimate knowledge of the tool, and an awareness of the audience and how and when to react to their engagement.

Make no bones about it: as the presenter, you are still in charge of the process and need to navigate the presentation and your audience from A to B. The only difference with the Interactive model is that you may meander ‘off-course’ occasionally if and when a given topic proves of particular interest to your audience. But as long as you complete the journey and end up at ‘B’ with message duly delivered and understood, then it really doesn’t matter how circuitous a route your audience may have taken you. You’ve still succeeded.

The good news is that it’s not as scary as it sounds! A good interactive presentation requires as much from the presenter as a business conversation. You simply need to know your subject — since there’s no opportunity to simply read words from the slide autocue style – and be ready to listen to your audience.

As such, the good presentation opportunities to move from a Formal to Interactive style are exhibitions, demonstrations and account management sales meetings. It’s less about delivering a ‘slick pitch’ and more about building a bond and rapport and demonstrating you can support your audience.

It’s for these reasons that Interactive presentations tend to work best for smaller audience groups. Any more than five audience members and you can find yourself in the middle of an argument rather than a conversation. At this point, you’ll be better served by calling upon the more traditional rules of the Formal approach.

The question remains – why eschew the well-established Formal approach for the apparently more risky Interactive route? The answer is simple: audience engagement.

Ultimately, the reason we present is to engage with the audience to the point where they will listen to, understand and ideally act on our message. By putting them in the driver’s seat and allowing them into the presentation conversation, you dramatically change the dynamics of the presenter–audience relationship. You’re giving them license to test, question and evaluate your message as part of the process. By doing so, you’re much more likely to keep the audience on your side and thus to get the result you desire.

The Informal Presentation

The example I always use is the ubiquitous airport bar conversation. You’re unwinding with a beer while waiting for your flight to board when you strike up a conversation with the person next to you. As business people do, you ask each other what line of work you’re in and the reason for your travel. One thing leads to another, and soon enough you’re sharing your business message with your new friend – just like you had done three hours prior to a room of prospects.

The power of the Informal presentation is that rather than pulling out your laptop and firing up PowerPoint – thereby killing the nice, informal environment you’ve created – you are able to tell/sell your story using no more than a napkin and a pen by way of visuals.

Note: the use of handmade impromptu visuals as part of an Informal engagement is not restricted to bars! It’s a running joke in our offices that I find it difficult to chat with anyone without a pad of paper and selection of pens to hand. I’m always doodling to visually share my thoughts and ideas with someone. Despite the jokes, people understand that this is my informal way of presenting and engaging with the team, and ultimately ensuring that they understand and receive my message loud and clear.

It’s essential to know that using an Informal approach only works if the presenter really knows their subject. This is more than aimless doodling and a meandering story; it’s about recognizing that the engagement with the audience demands a more relaxed approach, while still delivering a focused and powerful message.

Delivering Competitive Advantage

The evolving Presentation Landscape is an incredibly exciting change in the way we deliver our messages to audiences. In my opinion, it trumps any new technological developments (while the birth of the iPad/tablet was exciting, it’s just another tool at the end of the day) or new design thinking.

The Presentation Landscape takes our ability to truly build a relationship with audiences to a whole new level…something that no single presentation tool will ever be able to do.

The reason for this bold statement is a simple one – it relies on people recognizing and acting on the opportunity. Once we understand the dynamics in play at any presentation situation – and use this insight to apply the right story-telling approach and tools to meet the audience’s requirements – we automatically move up the scale in terms of engagement. This increased engagement provides us not only with a greater chance of meeting our objectives (remember Must-Intend-Like!) but also of addressing our audience’s specific needs.

There’s no getting away from it: a greater understanding of the Presentation Landscape coupled with a Blended Presenting approach delivers huge competitive advantage that, while useful for internal or conference presentations, is invaluable for sales or investor presentations.

Blended Presenting – A Customer’s Tale

As news of our Presentation Optimization methodology spread, we started getting calls from international companies looking for support and guidance. These were always exciting projects that combined travel to some remarkable countries with the opportunity to work with some truly fantastic companies and people.

Of all these early international projects, there is one that stands out for a couple of reasons. We’d been working with the European offices of a German software company for a number of years, having supported them in all manner of different presentation scenarios. We’d been there for sales decks, kick-off events and for internal presentations – and we’d used PowerPoint as the visual tool each and every time.

There’s no doubt that they’d categorized us as their “PowerPoint people”. This suited us down to the ground; they required a lot of PowerPoint, we had a great reputation within the business and, top down, they were nice people to work with. Then the message spread to the US.

I was asked to join a confidential conference call where it was announced that the software company was in the process of acquiring one of their largest competitors. This acquisition would make a huge difference to the already very impressive business – a revised and improved customer proposition, greater leverage in a vibrant marketplace and the opportunity to embed themselves even deeper into their growing customer base. It was all very exciting – and they needed a PowerPoint presentation to release as part of the rollout training and coaching for their global sales team. I was summoned to the US and arrived at their offices fresh as a daisy after being flown over business class and being put up in one of the finest hotels the East Coast could offer.

With a suitably senior (and, let’s be honest, expensive) executive team seated behind closed doors, we commenced the Presentation Optimization process. We established a good understanding of the prospect audience, discussed objectives, and quickly identified a compelling key message (it was such a wonderful proposition that none of this was all that tricky). Then we moved onto the content.

And this is where the cold sweats started.

The audience heatmap profile was heavily weighted towards the Factual with a strong sense of Visionary. This was to be expected – it was a highly technical sale with a multimillion price tag attached. Due to the very technical nature of the new combined solution, we were going to have to get pretty detailed quite quickly in terms of content, which could alienate the Visionary section of the audience. My business prides itself in getting PowerPoint to do things it wasn’t originally designed to do, but this seemed like a step too far.

I had no option but to voice my concerns. So, with more than a little trepidation, I turned to my senior and generous hosts and uttered the fatal words: “This isn’t right for PowerPoint. I don’t see how we can make this work using simple slides.”

Somewhat understandably, a silence fell over the room. (Oh dear.)

I pressed on, however, explaining that the story itself was extremely compelling and that by sticking purely to PowerPoint, we ran the very real risk of switching off what should and would be an audience hooked on everything we had to say.

I suggested that we continue to think visually and see where the rest of the session took us. I think it’s fair to say that there was a sense in the room that this had all turned a bit sour…and I was to blame. (Oh dear indeed.)

About an hour in, I had a flash of inspiration after scribbling up comments and ideas on the very fancy electronic whiteboard. I was using the whiteboard to share my ideas and demonstrate visually my message; so why couldn’t my customer and their sales team do the same thing?

Over the following three hours, we created a proposition story that could be visualized using the whiteboard. We “topped and tailed” this innovative approach using conventional PowerPoint; this not only suited the audience but also gave the presenters a familiar and defined way of starting and concluding the formal presentation.

The customer was delighted and went on to make a huge success of their new combined solution, cutting a swathe through the competition and opening up new opportunities left, right and center.

Importantly, there were a couple of completely unforeseen benefits to this new way of presenting. It seemed that the audience was compelled to interact as the salesperson used the interactive whiteboard to tell the visual story and explain how the elements might work for their prospect; they often jumped to their feet, grabbed a marker and drew their requirements right on the board. Despite our best efforts, PowerPoint or Keynote never got close to this level of interactivity.

Add to that the fact that our customer’s sales team now had a visual describing their prospects’ specific requirements IN THE PROSPECT’S HANDWRITING. This meant that they could use the wonders of Smartboards to e-mail and insert them directly into proposal documents – and could reference them later on to produce a truly bespoke offering.

From moments of blind panic came a solution that exceeded all of our expectations.

Personally, this was a sea change in the way we looked at the entire process of presenting. By challenging the established norms and mixing things up a bit, we’d made a great story even more powerful and palatable for the audience. It was a simple as using the right tool at the right time for the right type of content — and by doing so, we’d inadvertently created a new approach to presentations. Blended Presenting had been born.

We no longer view presentations as necessarily being purely of one format. Our customer base now generally accepts that getting the message and story optimized is the first and often most challenging phase in the development of a presentation. The visualization of that story into an array of different presentation outputs is the fun bit. It’s what allows us to engage with any audience type, in any number and in any situation in a way that truly makes a difference.

Suddenly, the audience is in charge of the format the presentation takes – and the presenter is able to call upon any number of combinations from their toolkit of formats.

It’s exciting, it’s relevant and it’s powerful.

Simon Morton

Simon Morton launched his PowerPoint presentation design company Eyeful Presentations in 2004, with a simple goal of creating better, more effective business presentations that would engage audiences and actually get presenters results and success. A published author, his first book, ‘ The Presentation Lab ’ is making waves and has been released around the world in 6 languages. A hugely experienced speaker, writer and trainer, Simon is recognized as an influential business leader and expert in the field of presentations. Connect with him on LinkedIn or follow him on Twitter .

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• Presentation

formal and informal presentation

• June 25, 2022

Presentation skill is one of the important skills that can play a significant role in our career and academic success.

The following are examples of the application of presentation skills in our professional and educational lives:

• prepare a proposal and talk about it in a meeting with the clients
• prepare a set of slides to introduce a theory or tool
• Speech at a meeting to defend or critique a new plan
• Educational lecture for the audience

In order to give a good presentation, it is necessary that you know the difference between formal and informal presentations. This article will help with this knowledge by providing information on how one can effectively represent both styles of talk so they may promote their skills more effectively!

Table of Contents

1. Formal presentations

What is a formal presentation.

When presenting formally, there are three key elements that need to be considered. The first is your audience – who will most likely have very specific expectations of how the presentation should go and what information they’re looking for; secondly, you’ll want supporting material such as Powerpoint slides or Presentation design services which can help give additional context around points made during delivery (this might include visuals too); lastly, remember not everyone has time on their side so make sure any media used isn’t too intensive!

Formal presentations are usually done in a professional or academic setting and follow specific guidelines. They can be given either orally to an audience of one (or more) or through video conference software like Skype for Business which allows participants across different locations with internet access to get together on screen so they don’t have any problem seeing each other’s facial expressions while speaking without having anyone else around listening!

How to make a formal presentation:

You’ll need to research and plan an outline before giving your presentation. A well-executed formal speech can make all the difference in getting what’s on someone’s mind out there! You might feel like a failure if it doesn’t go as planned, but don’t worry – we’ve got this crazy easy guide that will teach how exactly not only to practice making them successful (and remind yourself why these presentations are important) but also help avoid common mistakes made by newbies like myself 😉

Tips for making formal presentations:

• Make sure to choose a topic appropriate for the audience and setting.
• Do extensive research and gather high-quality information.
• Create a detailed outline.
• Choose a formal presentation format, such as PowerPoint or Keynote.
• Practice your presentation several times before delivering it.
• Key things to remember:
• Formal presentations are typically given in a professional or academic setting.
• They may be given in person or virtually, and often follow specific guidelines.
• Formal presentations are usually formal in tone.

The different types of formal presentations

here are different types of formal presentations:

• PowerPoint presentation
• Keynote presentation
• Poster presentation
• formal speech

What to include in a formal presentation

Formal presentations should include:

• An introduction
• The body of the presentation
• A conclusion
• Formal presentations should be:
• Well-researched
• Well-organized
• Formal in tone

Tips for delivering a formal presentation

When delivering a formal presentation, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Make sure you are well-prepared.
• Practice your presentation beforehand.
• Speak clearly and slowly.
• Make eye contact with your audience.
• Use formal language throughout the presentation.
• formal presentations can be given in person or virtually. If you’re giving a virtual presentation, make sure to:
• Choose a professional-looking background.
• Test your audio and video settings beforehand.

There are a series of tips that I think should be mentioned here, and these tips are very useful for formal PowerPoint presentations:

Set clearly defined goals.

In order for you to present a successful formal presentation, it’s very important that beforehand (or at least during) all of the information you want your audience members to learn should be written down. This way they can use this as a guideline in putting together what is expected from each slide and how much time should actually pass by until going onto the next point or idea being discussed within the slides themselves!

Know your audience.

Whether you’re presenting to a room full of people or just two, it’s important that your presentation includes key points and is tailored toward meeting certain needs. For example, if I was speaking before managers/executives then maybe my content would be more technical while someone else might need something simpler – this all depends on who their audience are so make sure they know!

Create an outline.

Giving a formal presentation is an opportunity to shine! If you’re not prepared, your audience will know it. They’ve been given time so they can judge how well-prepared and rehearsed we are – which means that our presentations need some structure too…

Include questions for audience interaction.

Formal presentations are more than just reading off a Powerpoint deck. You need to engage your audience and end with either a Q&A session or continue asking questions along the way after each point you make in order for it to be effective!

Use visuals.

When given time to prepare, it is expected that you will have visual aids for your audience. Formal presentations usually include PowerPoint or slideshow material so the viewers can follow along with what’s being shown on screen in order better understand its significance and impact upon them personally (or at least this was true before all our digital devices took over!).

2. Informal presentations

What is an informal presentation.

Informal presentations are typically less formal than formal ones and may be given in various settings. They may be given in person or virtually, and often have a more conversational tone.

The type of presentation you’ll encounter at a business meeting is usually impromptu, informal. These types are prepared quickly and don’t require as much organization due to their quick-fire nature – they’re more like conversations where each person feels talked about directly by the presenter rather than looking out on stage from behind slides or note cards!

Informal presentations are a great way to engage your audience. They’re less formal than their more clinical counterparts, and can be given in many different formats: person-to-person or virtually via video chat! These casual sessions often feature interactive tools that will allow participants to take part with you during the presentation so there’s no need for Powerpoint slides at all if it suits them better – just bring along what feels necessary based on how much time each participant has available before meeting up again later…

How to make an informal presentation

When making an informal presentation, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Choose a topic that is appropriate for the audience and setting.
• Do research, but don’t feel like you need to gather as much information as you would for a formal presentation.
• Create an outline, but it doesn’t need to be as detailed as it would for a formal presentation.
• Choose a presentation format that is appropriate for the setting, such as a PowerPoint or a whiteboard.
• Practice your presentation before delivering it.
• Informal presentations are typically less formal than formal ones.
• They may be given in person or virtually, and often have a more conversational tone.

What to include in an informal presentation

informal presentations should include:

• informal presentations should be:
• Informal in tone

Tips for delivering an informal presentation

When delivering an informal presentation, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• The language throughout the presentation.

Prepare your material

It’s not easy to brief a speaker in just two hours, but it is possible. Start by jotting down some notes on the topic and main points you want to cover for your presentation so that when they give us only a limited time before going live with their project we can still deliver an effective message without wasting too much of our own precious energy or using up all available meeting minutes trying thing out until college decides what kind theirs will be!

Understand the purpose

Informal presentations are a great way to get your audience invested in what you have planned. Informally talking with people rather than presenting their information can make for more interesting conversations, as they’ll be able to hear how it sounds when spoken aloud and ask questions about anything from the content itself all throughout its duration- which gives us greater insight into their thoughts on our ideas!

Consider a hand-out

Informal presentations are more effective than formal ones because you don’t have enough time to prepare a slideshow and it can be distracting for audiences who might not fully understand the information being presented. Instead, use handouts in these types of settings so that people will know where they need their attention focused when listening actively instead!

Keep visual aids to a minimum

The slide deck is the most formal way of presenting your data. It should be prepared with care and attention to every detail, from font choices down through visuals like images or animations—all in an effort that combines aesthetics alongside content. However, if you’re short on time then don’t worry! Informal presentations still benefit greatly by using quick presentations rather than lengthy ones so long as they hit what’s important without sacrificing clarity The key difference between formal vs informal shows occur at different points: While making sure there’s enough information included throughout our presentation (such because this might become outdated quickly), we can get away without doing much work.

Interact with your audience

Informal presentations are more about engaging with the audience and less so they’re just listening. It’s perfectly acceptable to get your attendees involved, by asking questions or allowing them feedback on what you’ve discussed in depth already beforehand! A formal presentation can sometimes feel like one long Q&A session where everyone analyzes every little detail – but this isn’t always effective for getting people excited enough about topics that aren’t new information (i e anything stick shift). Informality also allows room outside the traditional “lecture” format; instead relying heavily upon the interaction between speaker/ AUDIENCE members.

Formal and informal presentations both have their own set of benefits. It’s important to consider the right type for your situation, as well-formals can be more appropriate in professional settings while informality would work better where there isn’t any formality required or desired by attendees (such as at conferences).

When you are preparing for a presentation, it’s important to make sure that your research and organization skills come together in perfect harmony. You should practice before going into the big show so as not to slip up on stage or give away valuable information too soon! Speak clearly with slow-paced speech; look at all of those listening – they may be able to provide some feedback about what works well (or doesn’t) when we’re delivering our messages orally.

Formal presentations are usually done in a professional or academic setting and follow specific guidelines.

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Formal or Informal Presentation?

Communication – the primary goal of most presentations – is, ironically, the first casualty of over formalizing.

Informal presentations are generally characterised by small group settings with a high degree of audience interaction and a relaxed manner of delivery and dress. Online seminars, exhibitions, demonstrations are examples. When we embrace the Informal approach, we must rethink the rules and allow a presentation to become more about discussion than broadcast. This apparent lack of control demands that the presenter has a much greater grasp of the presentation story and message and an awareness of the audience and how and when to react to their engagement.

There is also a third type of presentation – the casual . These are the face to face “chats” you might have with an interviewer, podcaster or team member. Paradoxically, this is both the most natural form of communication but also the most difficult presentation approach to get right. The Casual presentation still requires sufficient structure to guide the presenter and their audience from A to B. However, you must do so in such a way that does not impact the ‘cozy/non-threatening’ environment that both parties enjoy. It’s essential to know that using a Casual approach only works if the presenter really knows their subject. This is more than a meandering story; it’s about recognizing that the engagement with the audience demands a more relaxed approach, while still delivering a focused and powerful message.

In any of these approaches you still need to prepare and practise your presentation. Think about the audience and the occasion, answer these questions to help you determine the right format for your presentation:

CONTENT and OCCASION Questions 

Who is the speech for?

Who is in the audience?

Why are they there?

Does this audience know you?

Are they there by choice?

What are they expecting from this occasion?

Why are YOU making the speech?

What is the occasion?

Is this a formal or informal occasion?

What is the topic?

Where are you making the speech?

Do you know the location well, can you have a practice run, will there be other distractions?

How well do you know the subject ?

Are there people who don’t know about it?

Do you want the audience to take any action?

Answering these questions will give you an idea of how much topic research you need to do. It is also related to how well the audience know the subject.

Regardless of whether you decide on a formal, informal or casual presentation, you must think about the audience so that your speech includes them or they will lose interest.

Learn Formal and Informal Phrases for Presentations

In this Business English lesson, you’re going to learn what Formal and Informal Means, the differences in Formal and Informal Presentations and examples of Formal and Informal Phrases to help ‘Start your Presentation.’

Watch the lesson and then read the article for definitions and examples.

It’s recommended to download the cheat sheet below.

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and   LinkedIn .

Understanding Formal Situations

A formal situation requires professionalism and follows certain rules of etiquette and protocol.

When do we use Formal Language?

We use formal language when we talk to:-

• people we don’t know.
• people in positions of authority.
• people who are older than we are.
• people we want to impress.

How do Formal Phrases differ in comparison to Informal Phrases?

When we use Formal Phrases, grammar is usually more complex, and sentences are generally longer. Normal, everyday phrases are used in informal presentations.

When will I use Formal Phrases in my Presentation?

• When you don’t know your audience, and you want to make a convincing first impression.
• When there’s an expectation that you prepare thoroughly beforehand.
• When the audience that you’re presenting to is a professional group of people.

What kind of Presentations would benefit from Formal Phrases?

• Training Presentations.
• Business Presentations.
• Academic Presentations.
• Public Speaking (speeches, lectures.)
• External Invitations to speak.

Examples of Formal Phrases to help Start your Presentation

“Good morning, everyone. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Martin Short, and I work in the Research Department.”

“Hello everybody. Before we start, let me introduce myself briefly: My name is Maria Kinsella, and I’m the Head of Research.”

“Good afternoon. On behalf of John Smith Industries, I’d like to welcome you.”

“My name is Teddy Shamrock and I am Senior Management of the Finance Department.”

“Good afternoon. My name is Jenny Mann and welcome to the fifth annual conference of Cosmic Industries.’

What clothes should I wear for a formal presentation?

You should dress at a professional level.

Should I use powerpoint/keynote slides for an formal presentation?

It’s the presenter’s decision. However, given that more preparation goes into a formal presentation, slides are more likely to be used.

Understanding Informal Situations

An informal situation is casual and laid back.

When do we use Informal Language?

We use informal language when we talk to:-

• family members.
• people we know well,
• people our own age.

Overall, to put it into perspective, you can talk with your audience like you talk to your friends in informal presentations.

When will I use Informal Phrases in my Presentation?

• When you are comfortable in the knowledge that you know your audience and that they will accept informal language and phrases.
• When there’s no real expectation that you should prepare thoroughly beforehand. (You do not have to be 100% prepared.)

What kind of Presentations would benefit from Informal Phrases?

• Mainly in-house presentations such as team meetings, 
• Group discussions, seminars.

Examples of Informal Phrases to help Start your Presentation

“Hey, guys! It’s great to be here today. If you don’t know me, I’m Marco, and I’m the Head of Public Relations.”

“Hi, there! It’s great to see so many new faces here today. Firstly, I’ll say hello: My name is Samantha, and I’m one of our Research Team Officers.”

“Hi everyone, I’m Barney, Senior Marketing Officer. Thanks for coming.”

“Hi folks, it’s great to see you all today. Just in case, I’m Tim, and I’m the company’s Media Officer.”

“It’s nice to see you all again, and thanks for coming to my talk about procurement. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Kylie, and I work in the Accounting Department as a clerk.”

What clothes should I wear for an informal presentation?

You can wear casual clothes.

Should I use powerpoint/keynote slides for an informal presentation?

It’s the presenter’s decision. However, given that less preparation goes into an informal presentation, slides are less likely to be used.

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Chapter 18: Business Presentations

Venecia Williams and Olds College

Learning Objectives

• Understand how to use effective interpersonal communication skills in professional presentations
• Learn how to organize a presentation
• Examine how to use visual aids effectively
• Discuss the effective integration of communication and presentation techniques in the delivery of professional presentations

Along with good writing skills, the ability to communicate verbally is vital to many employers today. It is an integral part of the modern business world. People in the workplace spend the majority of their time communicating. Verbal communication in the workplace takes many forms such as staff meetings, discussions, speeches, presentations, informal conversations, and telephone and video conferences. Communicating verbally is more personal and flexible than writing. It allows workers to exchange ideas, information, and feedback more quickly. Verbal communication tends to occur in person, making it easier to negotiate, express emotions, outline expectations, and build trust, all of which are important in today’s workplace. Communication can also occur between people who are not together in person. In these situations, unique skills are necessary to achieve success. Simple conversation skills are also valued in the workplace, but this does not mean using casual or informal language. Rather, what is prized by many employers is the ability to communicate important information professionally but in a meaningful and understandable way. This can be important when making spontaneous presentations as well as more elaborate formal group presentations, which are a part of many work roles today.

What Makes a Successful Speaker?

According to longtime Toastmasters member Bob Kienzle, there are a few key elements that tend to make a successful speaker:

• Voice : Can the person be easily understood?
• Body Language : Does their body support what they’re saying? Are they confident?
• Coherent Structure: Does what they’re presenting make sense? Is it logical?
• Enthusiasm : Do they care about what they’re presenting?
• Expertise: Do they know what they’re talking about? Are they credible?
• Practice : If they haven’t practised or sufficiently prepared, it will likely show up in one or more of the above.

A successful speaker can be inspired by other speeches or speakers but may fall flat if they try to copy someone else. Authenticity and passion can resonate so much with an audience that it can outweigh elements otherwise considered pitfalls. The techniques, tools, and best practices are a guideline, and it’s important to note there is no such thing as “perfection” in public speaking. “Failure” can happen in myriad ways, but it’s more helpful to see them as learning opportunities, or opportunities to make a stronger connection to your audience. The biggest failure, according to Kienzle, is to pass up opportunities to practise your skills in presenting or public speaking.

Preparing a Presentation

Develop your message while keeping in mind the format, audience, style , and tone . First, you’ll need to think about the format of your presentation. This is a choice between presentation types. In your professional life, you’ll encounter the verbal communication channels in Figure 18.1. The purpose column labels each channel with a purpose (I=Inform, P=Persuade, or E=Entertain) depending on that channel’s most likely purpose.

Figure 18.1 | Presentation Communication Channels

There are some other considerations to make when you are selecting a format. For example, the number of speakers may influence the format you choose. Panels and Presentations may have more than one speaker. In Meetings and Teleconferences, multiple people will converse. In a Workshop setting, one person will usually lead the event, but there is often a high-level of collaboration between participants. The location of participants will also influence your decision. For example, if participants cannot all be in the same room, you might choose a teleconference or webinar. If asynchronous delivery is important, you might record a podcast. When choosing a technology-reliant channel, such as a teleconference or webinar, be sure to test your equipment and make sure each participant has access to any materials they need before you begin.

Once you have chosen a format, make sure your message is right for your audience. You’ll need to think about issues such as the following:

• What expectations will the audience have?
• What is the context of your communication?
• What does the audience already know about the topic?
• How is the audience likely to react to you and your message?

Next, you’ll consider the style of your presentation. Analyze your specific presentation styles. Perhaps you prefer to present formally, limiting your interaction with the audience, or perhaps you prefer a more conversational, informal style, where discussion is a key element. You may prefer to cover serious subjects, or perhaps you enjoy delivering humorous speeches. Style is all about your personality!

Finally, you’ll select a tone for your presentation. Your voice, body language, level of self-confidence, dress, and use of space all contribute to the mood that your message takes on. Consider how you want your audience to feel when they leave your presentation and approach it with that mood in mind.

Presentation Purpose

Your presentation will have a general and specific purpose. Your general purpose may be to inform, persuade, or entertain. It’s likely that any speech you develop will have a combination of these goals. Most presentations have a little bit of entertainment value, even if they are primarily attempting to inform or persuade. For example, the speaker might begin with a joke or dramatic opening, even though their speech is primarily informational. Your specific purpose addresses what you are going to inform, persuade, or entertain your audience with the main topic of your speech.

Incorporating Backchannels

Technology has given speakers new ways to engage with an audience in real-time, and these can be particularly useful when it isn’t practical for the audience to share their thoughts verbally—for example, when the audience is very large, or when they are not all in the same location. These secondary or additional means of interacting with your audience are called backchannels, and you might decide to incorporate one into your presentation, depending on your aims. They can be helpful for engaging more introverted members of the audience who may not be comfortable speaking out verbally in a large group. Using publicly accessible social networks, such as a Facebook Page or Twitter feed, can also help to spread your message to a wider audience, as audience members share posts related to your speech with their networks. Because of this, backchannels are often incorporated into conferences; they are helpful in marketing the conference and its speakers both during and after the event.

Developing the Content

As with any type of messaging, it helps if you create an outline of your speech or presentation before you create it fully. This ensures that each element is in the right place and gives you a place to start to avoid the dreaded blank page. Figure 18.2 is an outline template that you can adapt for your purpose. Replace the placeholders in the Content column with your ideas or points.

Figure `18.2 | Presentation Outline

Introduction

The beginning of your speech needs an attention-grabber to get your audience interested right away. Choose your attention-grabbing device based on what works best for your topic. Your entire introduction should only be around 10 to 15 percent of your total speech, so be sure to keep this section short. Here are some devices that you could try:

After the attention-getter comes the rest of your introduction. It needs to do the following:

• Capture the audience’s interest
• State the purpose of your speech
• Establish credibility
• Give the audience a reason to listen
• Signpost the main ideas

Once you have identified an attention-getting, it is time to develop the body of your presentation or speech. In your body, you will focus on the specific points you would like to communicate to your audience.

Rhetoric and Argument:  Your audience will think to themselves, Why should I listen to this speech? What’s in it for me? One of the best things you can do as a speaker is to answer these questions early in your body, if you haven’t already done so in your introduction. This will serve to gain their support early and will fill in the blanks of who, what, when, where, why, and how in their minds.

Organization: An organized body helps your audience to follow your speech and recall your points later. When developing the body of your speech, recall the specific purpose you decided on, then choose main points to support it. Just two or three main points are usually sufficient, depending on the length of your speech. Anticipate one main point per two to three minutes of speaking.

Concluding on a High Note

You’ll need to keep your energy up until the very end of your speech. In your conclusion, your job is to let the audience know you are finished, help them remember what you’ve told them, and leave them with a final thought or call-to-action, depending on the general purpose of your message.

Presentation Aids

Presentations can be enhanced by the effective use of visual aids. These include handouts, overhead transparencies, drawings on the whiteboard, PowerPoint slides, and many other types of props. Once you have chosen a topic, consider how you are going to show your audience what you are talking about. Visuals can provide a reference, illustration, or image to help the audience to understand and remember your point.

Visual aids accomplish several goals:

• Make your speech more interesting
• Enhance your credibility as a speaker
• Guide transitions, helping the audience stay on track
• Communicate complex information in a short time
• Reinforce your message
• Encourage retention

Methods and Materials

There are many different presentation aids available. Before you decide on a presentation aid, think carefully about how you plan on using it and how it will enhance your presentation.

Using Visual Aids

Visual aids can be a powerful tool when used effectively but can run the risk of dominating your presentation. Consider your audience and how the portrayal of images, text, graphic, animated sequences, or sound files will contribute or detract from your presentation. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare yours.

Designing Slide Decks

When you design your slide decks, you might be overwhelmed by the possibilities, and you might be tempted to use all the bells, whistles, and sounds, not to mention the flying, and animated graphics. If used wisely, a simple transition can be effective, but if used indiscriminately, it can annoy the audience to the point where they cringe in anticipation of the sound effect at the start of each slide.

Stick to one main idea per slide. The presentation is for the audience’s benefit, not yours. Pictures and images can be understood more quickly and easily than text, so you can use this to your advantage as you present.

If you develop a slide deck for your presentation, test these out in the location beforehand, not just on your own computer screen, as different computers and software versions can make your slides look different than you expected. Allow time for revision based on what you learn.

Your visual aids should meet the following criteria:

• Big: legible for everyone, even the back row
• Clear: easy for audience to understand
• Simple: simplify concepts rather than complicating them
• Consistent: use the same visual style throughout

In Figure 18.3 the slide deck on the left has a colour combination which makes the information difficult to understand. The list is not parallel and the slide contains a grammatical error. The slide deck on the right is an improved and more professional version.

Another consideration that you’ll need to make when designing your slide decks is font. As previously mentioned, think about the people at the back of the room when choosing the size of your text, to make sure it can be read by everyone. A common mistake that presenters make is to use decorative fonts or to incorporate many different fonts in their slides. This not only creates a mixed message for the audience but also makes your message difficult to read. Choose legible, common fonts that do not have thin elements that may be difficult to see.

When considering your choice of colours to use, legibility must be your priority. Contrast can help the audience read your key terms more easily. Make sure the background colour and the images you plan to use complement each other. Repeat colours, from your graphics to your text, to help unify each slide. To reduce visual noise, try not to use more than two or three colours. Blue-green colour blindness, and red-green colour blindness are fairly common, so avoid using these colour combinations if it is important for the audience to differentiate between them. If you are using a pie chart, for example, avoid putting a blue segment next to a green one. Use labelling so that even if someone is colour blind, they will be able to tell the relative sizes of the pie segments and what they signify.

Colour is also a matter of culture. Some colours may be perceived as formal or informal, or masculine or feminine. Certain colours have understood meanings; for example, red is usually associated with danger, while green signals “go.” Make sure the colours you use align with your message. If you are discussing climate change or the natural world, for example, you’d be more likely to use blues and greens rather than metallic colours to avoid confusing the audience.

Once you have prepared your visual aid, do not forget to revise. There is nothing more uncomfortable than seeing a typo or grammatical error on your screen in the middle of your presentation. These errors can create a bad impression and affect your credibility with the audience. You want your audience to focus on your message so be sure to revise to maintain the audience’s attention and keep your credibility.

Preparing to Present

You are almost ready to deliver your presentation. What are some final elements you can focus on to ensure a smooth delivery?

To deliver your presentation to the best of your ability, and to reduce your nerves once you take the stage, you need to practise by rehearsing. As you do, try to identify the weaknesses in your delivery to improve on them. For example, do you often misspeak the same words (e.g., pacific for specific; ax for ask) or do your hands or feet fidget? Use your practice time to focus on correcting these issues. These sessions should help you get comfortable and help you remember what you want to say without having to constantly refer to notes. Try practising in front of a mirror, or even recording yourself speaking to a camera and playing it back. It’s also helpful to get feedback from a supportive audience at this stage. Perhaps a few family members or friends could watch you give your presentation and provide some feedback.

Dress for Success

While there are no definitive guidelines for how you should dress for your presentation, your appearance is an important part of your audience’s first impression. If you want them to take you seriously, you’ll need to look the part. While you don’t have to wear a suit each time you present, there are some scenarios where this would be expected; for example, if you are presenting to a corporate audience who wear suits to work, you should do the same. You should dress one step above your audience. If your audience is going to be dressed casually in shorts and jeans, then wear nice casual clothing such as a pair of pressed slacks and a collared shirt or blouse. If your audience is going to be wearing business casual attire, then you should wear a dress or a suit. The general rule is to avoid any distractions in your appearance that can distract your audience’s attention from your message.

Set Up Your Environment

Depending on the circumstances of your speech or presentation, you may have some choices to make about the environment. Perhaps you have a choice of meeting rooms that you can use, or, perhaps you have only one option. If you have some flexibility, it is helpful to think about what sort of environment would best help you get your message across. For example, if you are running a workshop, you might want to assemble participants in a circle to encourage collaboration and discussion. If you are holding a webinar, you’ll need a quiet location with a strong Internet connection and a computer system. It is imperative that you think about what facilities you need well before the day of your presentation arrives. Arriving to find that the equipment you expected isn’t available is not a nice surprise for even the most experienced speaker!

If you have access to the location beforehand, you may need to move tables or chairs around to get things just the way you want them. You might choose to have a podium brought in, if you are aiming for a formal feel, for example, or you may need to position your flip chart. Double-check that you have all the equipment you need, from whiteboard markers to speakers. It is far better if you can get comfortable with the room before your audience arrives, as this will make you feel more prepared and less nervous.

If you are using technology to support your presentation (i.e., PowerPoint slides or a projector), test everything before you begin. Do a microphone check and test its volume, view your slides on the computer you will be using, check any weblinks, play videos to test their sound, or make a call to test the phone connection prior to your teleconference. Your audience will get restless quickly if they arrive and are expected to wait while you fix a technical problem. This will also make you seem disorganized and hurt your credibility as an authoritative speaker.

During the Presentation

You’ve organized your presentation with great visuals and you are ready to present. You now have to deliver your presentation. How do you effectively deliver your presentation calmly and clearly?

Managing Anxiety

Studies have been done to assess how nervous or stressful people typically get during presentations, by examining people’s physiological responses at three intervals: one minute before the presentation, the first minute of the speech, and the last minute of the speech. They discovered that nervousness usually peaked at the anticipation stage that occurs one minute before the presentation. They further found that as the speech progresses, nervousness tends to go down. Here are some things you can do to help you manage your anxiety before the presentation:

• Practice/rehearse in similar conditions/setting as your speech
• Be organized
• Think positively
• Analyze your audience
• Adapt your language to speaking style

During the presentation, there are four main areas where you can focus attention in order to manage your anxiety:

• Your body’s reaction
• Attention to the audience
• Keeping a sense of humour
• Common stress management techniques

Your Body’s Reaction

Physical movement helps to channel some of the excess energy that your body produces in response to anxiety. If at all possible, move around the front of the room rather than remaining behind the lectern or gripping it for dear life (avoid pacing nervously from side to side, however). Move closer to the audience and then stop for a moment. If you are afraid that moving away from the lectern will reveal your shaking hands, use note cards rather than a sheet of paper for your outline. Note cards do not quiver like paper, and they provide you with something to do with your hands. Other options include vocal warm-ups right before your speech, having water (preferably in a non-spillable bottle with a spout) nearby for dry mouth, and doing a few stretches before going on stage. Deep breathing will help to counteract the effects of excess adrenaline. You can place cues or symbols in your notes, such as “slow down” or “smile”, that remind you to pause and breathe during points in your speech. It is also a good idea to pause a moment before you get started to set an appropriate pace from the onset. Look at your audience and smile. It is a reflex for some of your audience members to smile back. Those smiles will reassure you that your audience members are friendly.

Attention to the Audience

During your speech, make a point of establishing direct eye contact with your audience members. By looking at individuals, you establish a series of one-to-one contacts similar to interpersonal communication. An audience becomes much less threatening when you think of them not as an anonymous mass but as a collection of individuals.

Keeping a Sense of Humour

No matter how well we plan, unexpected things happen. That fact is what makes the public speaking situation so interesting. If things go wrong, try to have a sense of humour and stay calm. The audience will respond better if you stay calm than if you get upset or have a breakdown.

Stress Management Techniques

Even when we use positive thinking and are well prepared, some of us still feel a great deal of anxiety about public speaking. When that is the case, it can be more helpful to use stress management than to try to make the anxiety go away. Here are two main tools that can help:

• Visualization: imagining the details of what a successful speech would look and sound like from beginning to end; a way of hypnotizing yourself into positive thinking by using your mind’s eye to make success real.
• Systematic desensitization: Gradual exposure to the thing that causes fear—in this case, giving a speech—can ultimately lead to decreased anxiety. Basically, the more practice you get speaking in front of people, the less fear and anxiety you’ll have about public speaking. Organizations like Toastmasters that help people confront their fears by providing a supportive environment to learn and practise is a good option if you have a true phobia around presenting or public speaking.

Focus on Verbal Communication Techniques

• Pitch : Use pitch inflections to make your delivery more interesting and emphatic. If you don’t change pitch at all, your delivery will be monotone, which gets boring for the audience very quickly.
• Volume : Adjust the volume of your voice to your environment and audience. If you’re in a large auditorium, speak up so that people in the back row can hear you. But if you’re in a small room with only a few people, you don’t want to alarm them by shouting!
• Emphasis : Stress certain words in your speech to add emphasis to them, that is, to indicate that they are particularly important.
• Pronunciation : Make sure that you know the appropriate pronunciation of the words you choose. If you mispronounce a word, it could hurt your credibility or confuse your audience. Your pronunciation is also influenced by your accent. If your accent is quite different from the accent you expect most members of your audience to have, practise your speech in front of someone with the same accent that your audience members will have, to ensure you are pronouncing words in a clear, understandable way.
• Fillers : Avoid the use of “fillers” as placeholders for actual words (like, er, um, uh, etc.). If you have a habit of using fillers, practise your speech thoroughly so that you remember what you want to say. This way, you are less likely to lose your place and let a filler word slip out.
• Rate : The pace that you speak at will influence how well the audience can understand you. Many people speak quickly when they are nervous. If this is a habit of yours, practice will help you here, too. Pause for breath naturally during your speech. Your speaking rate should be appropriate for your topic. A rapid, lively rate communicates enthusiasm, urgency, or humour. A slower, moderated rate conveys respect and seriousness.

Focus on Non-verbal Communication Techniques

• Gestures : You can use your hands or head to help you express an idea or meaning, or reinforce important points, but they can be distracting if overused. If the audience is busy watching your hands fly around, they will not be able to concentrate on your words.
• Facial Expression : Rehearse your speech in front of a mirror to see what facial expressions come across. If you are speaking about an upbeat topic, smile! Conversely, if your topic is serious or solemn, avoid facial expressions that are overtly cheerful, because the audience will be confused by the mixed message. In North American culture, the most important facial expression you can use is eye contact. Briefly catch the eye of audience members as you move through your speech. If you can’t look your audience members in the eye, they may view you as untrustworthy. You’ll want to avoid holding eye contact for too long with any one person, as too much can be unnerving.
• Posture : Try to stay conscious of your posture and stand up straight. This gives the audience the perception that you are authoritative and take your position seriously. If you are slouching, hunched over, or leaning on something, this gives the impression that you are anxious, lacking in credibility, or not serious about your message.
• Silence : Silence is a powerful technique if used well. Pauses are useful for emphasis and dramatic effect when you are speaking. Some speakers are reluctant to pause or use silence because they become uncomfortable with the dead air, but sometimes your audience needs a moment to process information and respond to you.
• Movement : You can use your body movements to communicate positively with the audience. Leaning in or moving closer to the audience helps to bridge the space of separation. Moving from one side of the room to the other in a purposeful way that supports your content is a useful way to keep your audience engaged; their eyes will track your movements. However, pacing rapidly with no purpose and no support to your message may quickly distract from your message.

Coping with Mistakes and Surprises

Even the most prepared speaker will encounter unexpected challenges from time to time. Here are a few strategies for combating the unexpected in your own presentations.

Speech Content Issues

What if a notecard goes missing or you skip important information from the beginning of your speech? Pause for a moment to think about what to do. Is it important to include the missing information, or can it be omitted without hindering the audience’s ability to understand your speech? If it needs to be included, does the information fit better now or in a later segment? If you can move on without the missing element, that is often the best choice, but pausing for a few seconds to decide will be less distracting to the audience than sputtering through a few “ums” and “uhs.” Situations like these demonstrate why it’s a good idea to have a glass of water with you when you speak. Pausing for a moment to take a sip of water is a perfectly natural movement, so the audience may not even notice that anything is amiss.

Technical Difficulties

Technology has become a very useful aid in public speaking, allowing us to use audio or video clips, presentation software, or direct links to websites. But it does break down occasionally! Web servers go offline, files will not download, or media contents are incompatible with the computer in the presentation room. Always have a backup plan in case of technical difficulties. As you develop your speech and visual aids, think through what you will do if you cannot show a particular graph or if your presentation slides are garbled. Your beautifully prepared chart may be superior to the verbal description you can provide. However, your ability to provide a succinct verbal description when technology fails will give your audience the information they need and keep your speech moving forward.

External Distractions

Unfortunately, one thing that you can’t control during your speech is audience etiquette, but you can decide how to react to it. Inevitably, an audience member will walk in late, a cell phone will ring, or a car alarm will go off outside. If you are interrupted by external events like these, it is often useful and sometimes necessary to pause and wait so that you can regain the audience’s attention. Whatever the event, maintain your composure. Do not get upset or angry about these glitches. If you keep your cool and quickly implement a “plan B” for moving forward, your audience will be impressed.

Reading Your Audience

Recognizing your audience’s mood by observing their body language can help you adjust your message and see who agrees with you, who doesn’t, and who is still deciding. With this information, you can direct your attention—including eye contact and questions—to the areas of the room where they can have the most impact. As the speaker, you are conscious that you are being observed. But your audience members probably don’t think of themselves as being observed, so their body language will be easy to read.

Handling Q&A

Question-and-answer sessions can be trickier to manage than the presentation itself. You can prepare for and rehearse the presentation, but audience members could ask a question you hadn’t considered or don’t know how to answer. There are three important elements to think about when incorporating Q&As as part of your presentation:

1. Audience Expectations

At the beginning of your speech, give the audience a little bit of information about who you are and what your expertise on the subject is. Once they know what you do (and what you know), it will be easier for the audience to align their questions with your area of expertise—and for you to bow out of answering questions that are outside of your area.

2. Timing of Q&As

Questions are easier to manage when you are expecting them. Unless you are part of a panel, meeting, or teleconference, it is probably easier to let the audience know that you will take questions at the end of your presentation. This way you can avoid interruptions to your speech that can distract you and cause you to lose time. If audience members interrupt during your talk, you can then ask them politely to hold on to their questions until the Q&A session at the end.

3. Knowing How to Respond

Never pretend that you know the answer to a question if you don’t. The audience will pick up on it! Instead, calmly apologize and say that the question is outside of the scope of your knowledge but that you’d be happy to find out after the presentation (or, suggest some resources where the person could find out for themselves). If you are uncertain about how to answer a question, say something like “That’s really interesting. Could you elaborate on that?” This will make the audience member feel good because they have asked an interesting question, and it will give you a moment to comprehend what they are asking. Sometimes presenters rush to answer a question because they are nervous or want to impress. Pause for a moment, before you begin your answer, to think about what you want to say. This will help you to avoid misinterpreting the question or taking offense to a question that is not intended that way.

A final tip is to be cautious about how you answer so that you don’t offend your audience. You are presenting on a topic because you are knowledgeable about it, but your audience is not. It is important not to make the audience feel inferior because there are things that they don’t know. Avoid comments such as “Oh, yes, it’s really easy to do that…” Instead, say something like “Yes, that can be tricky. I would recommend…” Also, avoid a bossy tone. For example, phrase your response with “What I find helpful is…” rather than “What you should do is…”

Good presentation skills are important to successfully communicate ideas in business. Make sure your presentation has a clear topic with relevant supporting details. Use verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to make your presentation engaging, and don’t forget to practice!

End of Chapter Activities

18a. thinking about the content.

What are your key takeaways from this chapter? What is something you have learned or something you would like to add from your experience?

18b. Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions

• How can a speaker prepare a presentation for a diverse audience? Explain and give some specific examples.
• How can an audience’s prior knowledge affect a presentation?
• Think of someone you have met but do not know very well. What kinds of conversations have you had with this person? How might you expect your conversations to change if you have more opportunities to get better acquainted? Discuss your thoughts with a classmate.
• While managing a Q&A session following a presentation, if you find yourself unable to answer a question posed by one of the audience members which tactics can you use to maintain control of the session?

18c. Applying chapter concepts to a situation

Presenting for success

Akhil works at a software development company in White Rock called Blackball Technologies. It is a medium-sized company that allows its employees to dress casually and occasionally work from home. Akhil likes this because his preference is to wear t-shirts and jeans to the office or work from home in his pyjamas.

Blackball recently created a new software program that has the potential to make a huge profit. However, they need investors to fund their latest innovation. The new software was developed using one of Akhil’s ideas; therefore, the company chooses him to present their proposal to a diverse group of investors from several countries.

Some of the investors are not fluent in English as it is their second language. Additionally, they each have a busy day ahead as they have to listen to proposals from multiple companies. Akhil fears that the investors will not understand him. He is also nervous about the presentation due to its significance to his career. If he is successful, he will get the promotion that he has wanted for the past two years and a pay raise.

What are some of the things that Akhil should consider when presenting to the investors? 

18d. Writing Activity

Watch this video from TED.com on The Secret Structure of Great Talks . Summarize the video. What is the most interesting point made by Nancy Duarte in your opinion?

Attribution

Content attribution.

This chapter contains information from Professional Communications OER by the Olds College OER Development Team used under a CC-BY 4.0 international license.

This chapter contains information from Business Communication for Success  which is adapted from a work produced and distributed under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC-SA) in 2010 by a publisher who has requested that they and the original author not receive attribution. This adapted edition is produced by the  University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing  through the  eLearning Support Initiative .

Media Attribution

Presentation icon made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com .

Whiteboard icon made by Phatplus from www.flaticon.com .

Handout icon made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com .

Demonstration icon made by Ultimatearm from www.flaticon.com .

Chapter 18: Business Presentations Copyright © 2020 by Venecia Williams and Olds College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

The 6 types of presentation (and why you need them)

Hrideep barot.

• Presentation , Public Speaking

We all have been exposed to different types of presentations right from school years.

Group presentations, lectures by teachers and professors, seminars, webinars or online presentations, e-learning, e-conferences, etc., are all different types of presentations that we come across in our daily lives.

But each of them work for different settings.

In this article, we will take a look at 6 such types of presentations and when and why you need them.

1. Informative Presentations

This is the most common type of presentation, be it in an educational setting or business or corporate setting.

The aim of an informative presentation is to give detailed information about a product, concept, or idea to a specific kind of audience.

They are often analytical or require a rational analysis of the data presented.

Training sessions or one-day workshops are good examples where this kind of presentation is used.

Here is an example of an informative presentation on public speaking and presentations.

Now, there are different situations where you can use informative presentations.

a) Reporting

Although a report is a written explanation of an event, it can also be verbal.

A perfect place to use informative presentations is news reporting , as it requires the presenter to present information systematically.

b) Briefing

This involves explaining both positive and negative aspects of a particular topic in a few words.

It is providing information quickly and effectively about an issue to influence decisions or to come to solutions.

Hence, the decision-making bodies of an organization can make use of this kind of presentation to save time and effectively come to conclusions.

c) Research

Informative presentations are often used to present research findings to a specific audience , as it involves reporting the findings and briefing it to the audience.

Hence, almost everywhere where research takes place, be it in an educational context or occupational , can make use of this kind of presentation.

Tips for giving informative presentations

• As there would be a lot of technical information and statistics, focus on the main points or agenda first and if you have more time, you can add them at the end
• Keep your presentation simple and clear . Avoid complex sentence structures and graphics
• Tell the outline of your presentation briefly in the introduction for a better flow
• Make sure that your presentation does not stretch for too long. 10-15 minutes is what your audience can concentrate on
• Restate your keyphrase at the end and briefly summarize all the important points of your presentation

Speech topics for an informative presentation

• Cropping techniques
• Organic Farming
• Corporate Farming
• Hydroponics
• Sustainable Agriculture, etc
• Climate change
• Environmental issues
• Eco-friendly ways of management
• Eco-politics
• Eco-feminism, etc
• Gender studies
• Gender and education
• Religious studies
• History of education
• Philosophy of education, etc
• Ethnic cultures
• Indigenous cultures
• Multiculturalism
• Popular culture
• Cultural trends, etc
• Business administration
• Business ethics
• Business models
• Promotion and marketing communications
• Finance, etc

2. Persuasive presentations

Persuasion is the art of motivating or convincing someone to act or make a change in their actions or thoughts.

If you are planning to give a persuasive presentation, and are looking for how to give a persuasive speech, check out our article on A Comprehensive Guide to Writing a Persuasive Speech to gain in-depth knowledge about the art of giving persuasive presentations.

Persuasive presentations are also widely used form after informative presentations.

There are various circumstances where persuasive presentations can be used.

a) Policy-making

Government bodies make use of persuasion almost every time, be it the legislative or decision-making bodies, executive bodies, or even courts.

Even election campaigns involve using persuasive presentations as an instrument of their pre-determined goals of swaying the citizens.

For that matter, any executive or management body of an organization can make use of these kinds of presentations.

b) Value judgment

This kind involves answering the question “why” and supplementing it with possible benefits.

Most Ted talks and YouTube videos try to persuade the audience and fall into the persuasive presentation category.

Even religious heads use this as a means of persuading their believers to follow their belief system.

Deciding on a procedure or telling an audience the correct procedure of doing something is another situation.

An example of a persuasive presentation

Bailey parnell: is social media hurting your mental health.

This TED talk by Bailey Parnell is a good example of a persuasive presentation.

She starts strong by asking rhetorical questions that set the mood for her further points.

We can also see how the speaker is genuinely concerned regarding the issue, engaging the audience till the end.

Tips for giving a persuasive presentation

• Start your presentation with a relevant quote or statistics about your topic to establish credibility
• Tell personal anecdotes and examples wherever necessary to develop an emotional connection with your audience
• Deliver your presentation with passion and genuine interest to motivate your audience to think
• Answer the question “why” for better understanding and clarity in your presentation
• State your viewpoint clearly and clarify doubts if your audience seems to have any

Speech topics for persuasive presentations

• Is animal testing ethical?
• Should cosmetic surgery be banned?
• Can the death penalty be the only solution to the rising crime rates?
• Should the legal age be 18?
• Should immigration laws be revised?
• Why you should never add your parents on Facebook
• Guys are more interested in gossip than girls
• It is your major duty to annoy your parents
• You are not enjoying student life if you are not procrastinating
• Endless memes can be made on my life, etc
• Is taming wild and exotic animals ethical?
• The importance of emotional support animals
• Why are bunnies the perfect pet?
• Why do animals make the best companions?
• Why there is a need for patients to have emotional support animals, etc
• How and why there is a need to do business analysis before opening your business?
• Why small businesses are successful and more profitable?
• Why do sales and customer service departments need to be paid more?
• Why does the HR department need to be polite and understanding?
• Why should you not do business with a family member?
• How charity is a means of converting black money to white?
• Why is detaining people on the suspicion of terrorism justified?
• Should euthanasia be made legal?
• Should violent crime offenders be sentenced to death?
• Should foreigners be allowed to buy a property?

3. Demonstrative presentations

This involves demonstrating a process or the functioning of a product in a step-by-step fashion.

So, a master class on communication skills or making a product model is an example of a demonstrative presentation.

Usually, the audience is an active part of such presentations and these can work in any context where you want the audience to learn a new skill.

a) Instructions

This involves giving guidelines or steps of a process or work .

Teaching how to make a car model step-by-step is a good example where you can use this kind of informative presentation to guide your audience.

Another instance can be at the workplace , to train the employees or introduce them to a new product at work.

This type also works with demonstrating recipes and cooking workshops.

An example of demonstrative presentation

The easy guide on making just about any smoothie.

In this recipe demonstration, he tells his audience how many ingredients are involved and briefs them about the outline of his presentation at the start of his speech.

He also shows all steps in real-time so that the audience have a better understanding of the process and keeps them engaged.

Tips to give a demonstrative presentation

• Introduce your product and its function to your audience before telling them how to go about with the steps
• Explain the steps with diagrams or show them in real-time along with the audience
• Give equal time to every person in the audience for clearing doubts, if any
• Keep your introduction short. Not more than 5 minutes
• Discuss options or variations that the audience can try at the end of the presentation

Speech topics for demonstrative presentations

• How to administer CPR
• How to wrap a gift professionally
• How to budget your monthly income
• How to choose a car insurance
• How to restore a piece of antique furniture

4. Inspirational presentations

As the name suggests, this type of presentation involves inspiring others!

The main aim of an inspirational presentation is to motivate or move your audience and is also known as a motivational presentation.

Using techniques like storytelling, narrating personal anecdotes , or even humor work wonders as your audience develops an emotional connection to the message.

This TED talk by Luvvie Ajayi Jones is humorous but a lot more inspirational. Check it out!

Tips for giving an inspirational presentation

• Start with a question that will leave the audience thinking. Pause for some time and then begin with your presentation
• Develop a sense of connection by narrating personal incidents and experiences to grow empathy
• Have some main points that you want to emphasize on
• Make use of humor ! It instantly builds a connection with the listener
• Non-verbal elements like paralanguage, body language, speech modulations, tone, etc., makes a huge difference

Speech topics for an inspirational presentation

• Importance of diversity and inclusion
• Building mental resilience
• Need for change management
• Valuing small victories in life
• How procrastinating is your enemy

5. Business presentations

In the corporate world, presentations are the go-to solution to do anything: planning or strategizing, articulating company goals, screening candidates, status reports , and many more.

Let us take a dive into the different types of business presentations.

a) Sales presentation

Also known as sales pitches , sales presentations involve providing information about a product or a service to sell it.

It has a pre-defined strategy of initiating and closing the sales deal.

This can be done in person or nowadays, on the phone, or via e-communication .

b) Training sessions

Often employees have on-the-job training sessions that are aimed to increase the knowledge and skills of the employees.

This kind can also involve the audience to participate , like in demonstrative presentations.

c) Meetings

Meetings can be called for for different reasons and can be of different forms as well.

Conferences ( both video and in-person), board meetings, informal team meetings, daily reporting, etc., are all various contexts of meeting in a business setting.

d) E- presentations

E- presentations existed before the COVID pandemic as well but were used seldom.

But, with the ongoing pandemic, e-presentations or remote presentations have replaced all other types of presentations and will be with us for a while longer.

However, on the brighter side, it is an eco-friendly alternative to normal face-to-face kind of a set-up, and it also saves transportation and other costs !

e) Seminars

Seminars are widely used in the health sector , usually involving a panel of speakers on a topic. The audience is anywhere between 10 to 100.

It ends with a question and answers session , and the audience gets to take handouts with them.

f) One-on-one or 1:1

Interviews are usually one-on-one and involve presenting your achievements and capabilities to your prospective employer.

Apart from interviews, 1:1 meetings are also used in sales and marketing to crack a business deal.

Tips for giving business presentations

• Include key phrases and other important details on your slides and make them bold
• Avoid casual slangs and informal tone of speech
• If you are giving a sales presentation, explain your product or service in simple and clear words , and list the reasons why it is beneficial for your potential clients
• Make sure to be on time ! Delaying your audience will work against you and leave a bad impression on you and your company
• Know your material or content thoroughly to answer the questions asked by your audience

Speech topics for business presentations

• Implementing an Agile Project
• Introduction to data modeling
• Introduction to UML(Unified Modeling Language)
• Social Media strategies for a successful business
• Business writing for managers

6. Powerpoint presentations

PowerPoint presentations or PPTs are the most effective ones among all types of presentations simply because they are convenient and easy to understand .

They are available in different formats and are suitable to use in practically any type of presentation and context, be it business, educational, or for informal purposes.

There are various types of PowerPoint presentations that you can use depending on the context.

a) PPTs for general audience

• For general audiences, avoid using jargon terms

If you feel that you need to use them, provide the audience some background information about the field or topic being covered

• Avoid using more than 8 words per line, as anything more than that becomes difficult to remember
• Use bullets or a numbered list for better retention
• Try not to read from your PPT
• Give handouts or record your presentation in case anyone wants it

b) PPTs for teaching

• In this case, the PowerPoint is content-based
• Make sure that the words on the slides are visible
• Use bigger font and avoid fancy fonts
• Add relevant pictures and graphics to keep your audience engaged
• You can also add documentaries or relevant videos to aid in understanding

c) Repurpose PPTs

• This involves reinventing an earlier ppt or combining 1 or more than 1 PowerPoints
• Giving new touches to an earlier PPT or changing the format
• You can take any slide of your PPT and upload it on social media for growing your brand or business
• You can even convert your PPT into mp4 , i.e, video format
• You can even add voice and save the mp4 format, and you have a good marketing plan!

d) PechaKucha

• This type of PowerPoint presentation comes from the Japanese word PechaKucha meaning sound of a conversation or chit-chat
• This involves changing slides every 20 seconds
• There can be a maximum of 20 slides , which means your presentation lasts for only 6 minutes and 40 seconds
• The PPT mostly has graphics and fewer words
• This type of presentation is best suited for telling a story or a personal anecdote

e) Multimedia presentations

• This is the best kind of PPT to engage your audience
• It contains texts along with pictures, videos, infographics, music, illustrations, GIFs , and many more
• Add higher resolution images and videos , or even a 360-degree snapshot if you are in the sales and marketing industry
• Adding infographics such as charts and graphs makes the process of understanding easier and saves time
• Music in a PPT helps your audience to be relaxed, at the same time making them alert and engaged

Types of slides in a presentation

PowerPoint presentation slides are broadly classified into 3 categories: Text, Visual, and Mixed slides.

1. Text slides

As the name suggests, this category of slides involve words or texts.

You can format the text as plain sentences or pointers.

You may even arrange them all in a single slide or one line per slide.

The slide seen below is an example where every point is mentioned in a single slide.

2. Visual slides

This type of slide has visual elements such as images or videos , and are better known as conceptual slides since they are a better option than text slide to explain a particular concept.

You can use them at the start of the presentation to better visualize and grasp the meaning of the presentation.

The slide right below is a good example of a visual slide.

3. Mixed slides

Mixed slides combine the texts and visuals to give a comprehensive understanding of any concept or a speech.

Graphs and charts are the best examples of mixed slides.

Mixed slides have an advantage over the other slides; they keep your audience engaged, listening and participating more actively!

Types of Oral presentations

So far we came across 6 types of presentations, and they all share one common feature. They are all one of the types of oral presentations.

Oral presentations involve the use of verbal and non-verbal elements to deliver a speech to a particular or general audience.

All the types we discussed fall into these 4 broad categories:

1. Extemporaneous presentations

This type of presentation involves making short pointers or key phrases to aid while speaking.

You do not memorize, but organize the points and structure the speech way in advance.

Hence, on the day of your presentation, by just looking at the key points , you expand on them and move to the next point.

2. Impromptu presentations

Impromptu presentations are spoken without any preparation . It can be nerve-wracking for many, and hence not many are in favor of it.

There is a valid reason for their fear, as you have to make your speech as you say it!

However, those who are experts in their fields and are called upon to share a few words can easily give this type of presentation.

3. Manuscript presentations

The other extreme of the spectrum is manuscript presentations.

Here you have a script and you speak from it, word by word.

News anchors and show announcers usually engage in this type, since there are a lot of specific details that cannot be said wrong, and also, time constraints.

Usually, a prompter is used, from which the speaker speaks to their audience.

Nowadays, there are teleprompters , that are heavily used in the entertainment and media industry.

It is a digital screen that displays the contents, and the speaker speaks from it.

4. Memorized presentations

This type does not have any notes or cues , but you memorize or rote learn the whole speech.

School and some presentations at the workplace involve using this kind of presentation.

In most cases, we recommend not to memorise your speech in most cases. We’ve made a video on the same and how it could lead to you potentially blanking out on stage. Highly recommend you view this quick vid before choosing memorisation as a presentation path:

But, if you do choose it for whatever reason, since you are free from notes, you are free to focus on other aspects, such as body language and gestures.

Types of presentation styles

There are various presenting styles, but they do not work for all types of presentations.

Let us get familiar with them, and know which style works with which type.

a) The storyteller

This style of presentation involves the speaker narrating stories and engaging the audience emotionally .

This technique works best with persuasive and inspirational types of presentation.

So, how to tell a story in a presentation?

• Understand and know your audience : Knowing your audience will help you with how you will frame your story, at the same time gauging the relevance of your narrative
• Know your message : Be clear with what you want to convey through your story or how you are connecting the story with your actual presentation
• Try narrative a real-life story : Inspiring presenters often take their own stories or the stories of people whom they know as a supplement to their presentation. When the audience listens to your real-life examples, they become genuinely interested in your story
• Add visual aids : Using visual aids such as pictures, videos, multimedia, etc., increases the memory retention and engagement of your audience
• Use the “you” attitude : Tell the story keeping your audience in mind because ultimately they are going to be the receivers and hence, the story should be relevant and should include their point of view as well

Want more storytelling tactics? Mystery, characterisation and the final takeaway are some more key elements of a good story for your next presentation. We’ve gone deeper into this topic in this video if you would like to know more:

b) The Visual style

Most of us are visual learners, making visual information easy to understand and retain.

Visual aids like graphics, images, diagrams, key pointers or phrases , etc., are very useful when giving any type of presentation.

Some tips of presenting with visual style:

• Include only important pointers in your PowerPoint presentation and highlight or bold them
• Try including visuals that complement what you are saying and use them as a supplementary tool to aid in understanding your audience
• If you are giving a business presentation and want to include visuals, instead of plain texts, include graphics and charts to make information simpler to present and understand
• Avoid overly complex visuals as it will confuse the audience more
• Avoid using more than 6 lines per slide

c) Analytic style

If you have data records or statistical information to be presented, an analytic style will be more helpful.

It works best for Informative and Business types of presentations.

Tips to deliver in analytic style:

• Give handouts so that the audience is on track with your presentation and the information will be easier to comprehend
• Focus and speak on selected data as too much data statistics can be overwhelming for the audience
• You can make use of humor and personal anecdotes to keep the presentation interesting and engaging
• If you have too much data and are worried that you will not be able to explain it in the time frame given, avoid writing content of more than 2000 words

Quick tip: In case you have a PDF to present and want to edit the data points, there are multiple software programs that you can use to allow you to easily do this. Check out this list of the Best Free Recording Software Programs to know more.

d) The Connector

The connector style of presentation involves the speaker establishing a connection with the audience by pointing out similarities between them and the listeners.

This style works well with Sales and marketing presentations.

How to give a presentation using connector style?

• Have a Q & A round with the audience at the end of your presentation for clarifying any doubts and avoiding miscommunication
• Use audience polls at the start of your presentation to know your audience and tailor your speech accordingly
• Make use of body language and gestures for delivering your presentation effectively. If you are confused or want to know more about the aspects of how to use body and gestures, check out our article on To walk or stand still: How should you present when on stage?
• Ask questions to your audience at regular intervals for a better audience engagement
• Make use of multimedia sources to keep your audience engaged and entertained

Which type of presentation is best?

Although all the presentation types have their own bonuses and are suitable for certain circumstances, some are universal and can be used with a little bit of modification almost everywhere!

These are persuasive presentations!

You can use them in various settings; from political, business to educational.

Just remember to choose the right topic for the right audience, and a style that you think is the most suitable and you are good to go!

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To conclude

We saw 6 types of presentation and understood it in detail.

We also gained some tips on how to make our presentation more engaging and also came across things to avoid as well.

We then explored the types of slides that you can use, and also the types of presenting orally.

We also gave you some tips and a few topic ideas that you can incorporate in your next speech!

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Signposts for Presentations

Signposts are words or phrases that guide the listener during a presentation. They let the listener know what has happened so far, and what is going to happen next. Below is a guide for using signposts during a presentation. It is divided into three sections: signposts for the introduction of a presentation, signposts for the middle of a presentation, and signposts for the conclusion of a presentation. The first column contains signposts for a formal presentation, and the second column contains signposts for an informal presentation.

Signposts for the Introduction of a Presentation

Signposts for the middle of a presentation, signposts for the conclusion of a presentation.

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UX Research Communication – Informal Presentations

Welcome back to our series on communicating user research for better results from your UX projects. Today, we’re going to be tackling informal presentations. If you’ve not seen the rest of the series – you can find it under the UX Daily tab on the IxDF website and there will be more coming tomorrow too.

Informal Presentations

The formal presentation to a group of stakeholders is a well-documented and standard technique that can be used every time you want to get a complex message home with the minimum of fuss. Some things are simply too complex and involved to work well in writing; this is doubly true if you work in a company where most people are too busy or suffer from the attention spans of goldfish.

However, there is a good case for involving more than just your direct stakeholders in your research and developing an informal presentation approach has some real benefits to your projects.

What is an Informal Presentation?

As the name suggests it’s a presentation given in an informal(ish) setting. That doesn’t mean that you as a presenter end up being more casual about delivering the presentation. It just means that it is open to a wider audience than you might normally want to address in a formal presentation. Good times to have these are lunch hours or better still at company-wide meetings.

It’s important not to focus on narrow research at these presentations. You want to share “big picture” stuff so that people can understand what you do as a UX team and how this might relate to the future of a product or the business as a whole. It’s a chance to get people to pitch in ideas that might drive further research too.

User surveys are often best presented in this style, particularly if you’re reaching a very large population with the survey. You want people to be able to dig through the broad conclusions of the research more than any specific results. What are the trends? How are these important to the business as a whole? What do people see as possible ways to react to these trends for best advantage?

You might also consider presenting user personas in this kind of forum as well. There’s something quite valuable about introducing the concept to a whole company; it helps people better identify the customers of the business and to understand why things are done the way they are done – not just in product development but at other contact points with customers too.

You’ll also find that any clichés in your user personas that don’t stand up to rigorous inspection are given a decent going over and better alternatives may arise from those discussions.

The other benefit of informal presentations is that they offer you a chance to evangelize UX to an audience in a fairly short space of time. Used right informal presentations can be a very powerful communication tool that let you reach the whole business.

Header Image: Author/Copyright holder: Yandle.Copyright terms and licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0

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How to Present to an Audience That Knows More Than You

• Deborah Grayson Riegel

Lean into being a facilitator — not an expert.

What happens when you have to give a presentation to an audience that might have some professionals who have more expertise on the topic than you do? While it can be intimidating, it can also be an opportunity to leverage their deep and diverse expertise in service of the group’s learning. And it’s an opportunity to exercise some intellectual humility, which includes having respect for other viewpoints, not being intellectually overconfident, separating your ego from your intellect, and being willing to revise your own viewpoint — especially in the face of new information. This article offers several tips for how you might approach a roomful of experts, including how to invite them into the discussion without allowing them to completely take over, as well as how to pivot on the proposed topic when necessary.

I was five years into my executive coaching practice when I was invited to lead a workshop on “Coaching Skills for Human Resource Leaders” at a global conference. As the room filled up with participants, I identified a few colleagues who had already been coaching professionally for more than a decade. I felt self-doubt start to kick in: Why were they even here? What did they come to learn? Why do they want to hear from me?

• Deborah Grayson Riegel is a professional speaker and facilitator, as well as a communication and presentation skills coach. She teaches leadership communication at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and has taught for Wharton Business School, Columbia Business School’s Women in Leadership Program, and Peking University’s International MBA Program. She is the author of Overcoming Overthinking: 36 Ways to Tame Anxiety for Work, School, and Life and the best-selling Go To Help: 31 Strategies to Offer, Ask for, and Accept Help .

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How to Say Presentation: Formal and Informal Ways, Tips, and Examples

Presentations are an integral part of both professional and personal life, allowing us to convey information, pitch ideas, or deliver speeches confidently. However, knowing how to express the concept of “presentation” in various situations and contexts can be crucial for effective communication. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to say “presentation,” providing useful tips and examples along the way. So, let’s dive in!

Formal Ways to Say Presentation

When it comes to formal settings such as professional meetings, conferences, or academic environments, using the appropriate terminology is essential. Here are some formal ways to say “presentation”:

1. Presentation

The most common and straightforward term is simply “presentation.” This term is widely understood and can be used universally in both professional and academic settings. For example:

During tomorrow’s meeting, I will be giving a presentation on our quarterly sales report.

In more academic contexts, the term “lecture” may be used to refer to a formal presentation or speech delivered by a teacher or speaker to a group of students. For instance:

Professor Johnson will be delivering a lecture on quantum mechanics in the physics department tomorrow.

3. Demonstration

When emphasizing the visual or practical aspect of a presentation, the term “demonstration” can be used. It implies showing or illustrating something during the presentation. An example would be:

Our team will conduct a demonstration of the new software features during our client meeting.

4. Symposium

In more formal and academic contexts, a “symposium” refers to a conference or meeting where multiple speakers present on related topics. This term is commonly used in scientific or research-oriented environments. Consider the following example:

We are excited to invite you to our annual medical symposium, where renowned doctors will present their latest research findings.

Informal Ways to Say Presentation

In less formal or casual scenarios, you may opt for more relaxed and conversational terms to refer to a presentation. Let’s explore some popular informal expressions:

Using the term “talk” in an informal context implies a less structured and more relaxed presentation or speech. This term is commonly used in informal business meetings or community gatherings. For example:

John will be giving a talk on digital marketing strategies at the local entrepreneur meetup next week.

2. Show and Tell

In educational settings or informal discussions, particularly involving children, “show and tell” is often used to describe a presentation where someone demonstrates or shares something of interest. Consider this example:

Timmy brought his pet turtle to school for show and tell today and gave a short presentation on reptiles.

In contexts involving marketing, sales, or entrepreneurship, the term “pitch” is frequently used to refer to a presentation aimed at persuading others to invest in an idea, product, or service. An example would be:

The startup founders delivered an engaging pitch to potential investors at the venture capital firm.

Tips for a Successful Presentation

Regardless of the terminology you choose, delivering a successful presentation requires careful preparation and effective communication skills. Here are some tips to help you shine during your presentation:

1. Plan and Structure Your Content

Begin by creating a clear and logical structure for your presentation. Organize your ideas, key points, and supporting material to ensure a cohesive flow that keeps your audience engaged.

2. Know Your Audience

Tailor your presentation to suit the needs and interests of your audience. Understand their background, level of expertise, and what they hope to gain from your talk. By addressing their specific concerns or questions, you will establish rapport and connection.

3. Use Visual Aids Wisely

Visual aids such as slides, diagrams, or illustrations can enhance your presentation. However, make sure they are visually appealing, concise, and complement your verbal message rather than overwhelm it. Aim for simplicity and clarity.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

Rehearse your presentation multiple times to build confidence and familiarity with the content. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or give a mock presentation to friends or colleagues to receive constructive feedback and make necessary adjustments.

5. Engage Your Audience

Actively involve your audience through questions, interactive exercises, or real-life examples. Open the floor for discussions or encourage participation to make your presentation more dynamic and memorable.

6. Speak Clearly and Confidently

Choose your words carefully, speak at a moderate pace, and project your voice to ensure everyone can hear and understand you. Maintain good posture and eye contact with your audience, conveying confidence and authority.

7. Be Time-Conscious

Respect your allotted time and avoid going over the time limit. Plan your presentation’s duration and allocate sufficient time for questions if necessary. Being mindful of time shows professionalism and consideration for your audience’s schedule.

Understanding how to express the concept of “presentation” in different settings and situations enables effective communication. In formal environments, terms such as “presentation,” “lecture,” “demonstration,” or “symposium” are commonly used, while more casual situations may involve terms like “talk,” “show and tell,” or “pitch.” Remember, successful presentations require careful planning, engaging content, confident delivery, and audience interaction. So, whether you’re presenting in a boardroom, classroom, or community event, apply these tips and find the best way to convey your message and leave a lasting impression.

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Oh what a useful explanation, thank you so much. Now I know to say "אתמול הייתי רופא עדשים".

The South Indian phrase - “ninnade kaNugalu tuppuko.” is wrong. “tuppuko” is not a word in kannada. Informally, we’d say…

Good luck Gracie Wren on your first London marathon . Your dedication and hard work will pay off.

You wrong Bruh. "While some Jehovah’s Witnesses may choose to celebrate birthdays..." NOPE! They forbid it. https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/birthdays/

I have always pronounced it with the third syllable "e" vul-GA-te. Could this be wrong in the original Latin?

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