Presentation Skills

Welcome to ENGL A122 Presentation Skills.

This course is a 5-credit, foundation-level course in the Language and Translation programme of the School of Arts and Social Sciences.

Purpose of this Course Guide

This Course Guide tells you briefly what the course is about and how you can work your way through the material. It suggests the amount of time you will probably need to complete the course and gives you a general idea of when your assignments are due. For detailed information on assignments, however, please refer to the Assignment File, and for information on due dates and cut-off dates for work to be submitted, please refer to the Presentation Schedule.

About the course

ENGL A122 has been designed for anyone who needs to give academic, vocational or professional presentations.

The course consists of six units, with each unit focusing on different aspects of a presentation. In particular you will look at:

• the key characteristics of effective presentations
• the communication process
• the situational elements of a presentation
• your roles as a presenter
• planning strategies for your presentation
• research skills for presentations
• effectively structuring presentations
• persuasive language
• non-verbal communication
• vocal skills
• strategies for dealing with nerves
• using and managing visual aids
• preparing your presentation venue
• delivery skills
• handling questions and difficult situations.

Course aims

This course provides you with a practical approach to mastering face-to-face presentations effectively. It guides you through all the principles needed for preparing and refining presentations so that they are appropriate for your specific audience and purpose. It also covers the use and development of visual aids, non-verbal communication and skills related to delivery and to dealing with questions from your audience.

Course learning outcomes

Upon completion of ENGL A122, you should be able to:

1. Describe the features of an effective presentation.
2. Evaluate the context of your presentation.
3. Plan and structure your presentation.
4. Speak persuasively, clearly, accurately and with impact.
5. Deliver non-verbal communication skills appropriately.
6. Give simple, clear spoken messages using voice control and projection techniques.
7. Use visual aids effectively in your presentation.

The following table summarizes the key components of ENGL A122 Presentation Skills.

In addition to this Course Guide, please ensure that you have the following important course components from HKMU:

• study units
• multimedia (audio recordings and video)
• Assignment File
• Presentation Schedule.

Please note that there is no set textbook for ENGL A122 Presentation Skills.

Study units

The six study units of the course discuss the important issues in each topic. They also sometimes direct you to some supplementary readings. Each unit also contains activities, self-tests and a summary to support your understanding. Please take the time to complete the activities and self-tests because they are a critical part of your active learning.

Audio recordings

This course includes audio recordings (voice activities) which can be accessed via the Online Learning Environment (OLE) under 'multimedia'. Some of these recordings give you examples of how to use your voice effectively. Other recordings require you to listen critically and then use the skills demonstrated in your own presentations.

Video

You will also be required to watch video clips of presentations throughout the course. These clips are also available for viewing on the OLE. These clips illustrate skills such as how to use body language effectively; how to use visual aids to support your presentation; and how to effectively introduce and conclude a presentation.

Assignment File

Assignment details for this course are contained in your Assignment File. You are required to complete your assignments and submit them in accordance with the timetable provided in the Presentation Schedule. There is also information about procedures for applying for extensions in the Assignment File.

Presentation Schedule

The Presentation Schedule for this course is available on the OLE, but please note that the Presentation Schedule is subject to adjustment. In this schedule, you will see the approximate times by which your tutor should receive your assignments. Please note that you must submit all your assignments on time and ensure that they reach your tutor by the dates shown in the Assignment File.

The formal assessment for ENGL A122 consists of:

• three required assignments
• an oral presentation, which takes place in the second day school
• a final examination.

Assignments serve as the continuous assessment component within ENGL A122. Together with the oral presentation, they contribute 50% to the overall course assessment. A final three-hour examination accounts for the other 50% of the assessment. You are required to pass both the continuous assessment component and the final examination to obtain a pass in this course.

Assignments

Assignments provide a mechanism for you to assess your progress in developing presentation skills. They also let you test your understanding of the course's topics.

Assignments are returned to you after they are marked by your tutor so that you can learn from your mistakes and clarify any misunderstandings.

• Assignment 1 will cover material from Units 1 and 2.
• Assignment 2 will cover material from Units 3 and 4.
• Assignment 3 will cover material from Units 5 and 6.

Examination

There will be a three-hour closed book written final examination, which will account for 50% of the total course assessment. The paper will cover materials from all units.

A summary of the components of the assessment for the course is as follows:

1. Three required assignments:
   • Assignment 1 (10%): Units 1 and 2
   • Assignment 2 (10%): Units 3 and 4
   • Assignment 3 (15%): Units 5 and 6
2. Oral presentation: 15%
3. Written examination: 50%

Total: 100%

At the start of the course, you will be informed of your respective tutors. Tutors will mark and comment on your assignments, keep a close watch on your progress and on any difficulties you might encounter, and give you any help required during the course, communicating mainly through email. Tutors will also moderate online discussion activities.

Tutorials

There will be 16 hours of tutorial support. You are urged to attend tutorials.

Day schools

There are two day schools. The first day school will consist of a guest speaker session that shares with you some tips for effective presentation.

The second day school enables you to practise a personal presentation, including the use of visual aids, in front of an audience of fellow students and the tutor. Since personal presentations are an important component of the course, attendance at this day school is compulsory and your performance in the presentation is included in the course assessment.

Online support

ENGL A122 will use the Online Learning Environment (OLE), an online course delivery system developed by HKMU. A website will be set up to publish the course materials online, and a course discussion board will allow you to interact with other students and with your tutor.

ENGL A122 is a practical, skills-based course that focuses on the skills you need to give academic, vocational or professional presentations.

By the end of the course's six units, you should be able to analyse a presentation's situation, plan and structure a presentation, research information for your presentation and analyse your roles as a presenter. You should also be able to effectively deliver a confident and persuasive presentation, and successfully use body language and your voice. You should be able to organize your venue, plan and use visual aids, and deal with questions from your audience.

We hope you enjoy the course and find the following six units helpful as you deliver presentations at HKMU, and in subsequent professional, business and academic settings.

Good luck!

A note about the developer of this course

Juliana Chan is an experienced language trainer in business communications and presentation skills. She has a postgraduate degree in journalism and communication and a graduate degree in language. Having had extensive experience in advertising, marketing and public relations, she takes a practical approach to presentation skills training.