**Title:** Enhancing Presentation Skills: From Theory to Practice
**Attendance:**
– No students were mentioned as absent.
**Topics Covered:**
1. Introduction to Presentation Skills
– Discussion about the importance of communication and culture in thinking and language.
– Introduction to the concept of the ‘magic cul-paq’ for midterm topic selection.
– Explanation of the midterm exam format.
– Discussion about upcoming holiday plans.
2. Presentation Etiquette and Components
– Introduction to the concept of presentation etiquette.
– Breakdown of the three categories of presentation etiquette: eyes, body, and voice.
– Effective use of PowerPoint in presentations.
– Importance of practice before a presentation.
– Proper use of notes during presentations.
– Maintaining audience engagement.
3. Overcoming Presentation Challenges
– Overcoming nervousness in public speaking.
– Importance of posture in presentations.
– Issues with speaking too softly, too loudly, too fast, or too slow.
– The problem of speaking in a monotone voice.
– The impact of nervousness and anxiety on voice and presentation.
4. Improving Presentation Skills
– The benefits of rehearsing presentations before delivering them in class.
– The value of feedback from friends or family members.
– The advantages of recording and reviewing one’s own presentations.
– Analyzing a presentation example, focusing on the presenter’s body language, eye contact, and voice modulation.
5. Case Study and Student Presentations
– Discussion of the Anglo-Irish Bank as a case of corporate corruption and its role in the 2008-2011 Irish banking crisis.
– Students’ presentations on their favorite foods.
**Actionable Items:**
1. Midterm Preparations
– Students need to prepare for the midterm exam, which will be after the holiday.
– Further discussion on the reading midterm to be held on the following Thursday.
2. Improving Presentation Skills
– Develop strategies to maintain eye contact, control voice, and improve body language during presentations.
– Encourage students to practice their presentations multiple times before presenting.
– Address the issue of nervousness and anxiety in presentations in subsequent classes.
– Discuss further on the influence of cultural and language differences on presentation styles.
3. Addressing Presentation Issues
– Address the issue of students giving unorganized presentations.
– Discuss the problems with the lady’s presentation on the Anglo-Irish Bank, especially in terms of organization.
– Review the concept of thesis statements, as it appeared there was confusion about this topic.
**Homework:**
– No specific homework was assigned for the break.
– Students are encouraged to prepare for their midterm in two weeks.