How long should my presentation be to be 5-10 minutes?
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There is no simple conversion of written text pages to audio speech…many variables to consider besides a simple linear rate of speaking….pauses for emphasis, gestures, etc.
Since you have slides in Powerpoint, use the set up functions to practice the timing….it isn’t just show the slide and talk at it and change the slide….not all slides will need the same amount of text/words or comments about them…so the variations are best all worked out by practice.
Use a tape recorder when you practice. Turn it on…do the entire talk start to finish…don’t worry about the flubs and errors….keep going to the end. This is like practicing touch typing….practice, practice, practice….errors occur…keep on typing. As your proficiency improves, then you work on the accuracy in typing to reduce the errors. No sense typing or speaking fast if you have lots of errors. Playback the tape and watch the timing…use a stop watch or clock with a second hand…make some time notations in your written text so you have a sense of how long it takes to get to what part of the text.
Multi pages vs single page…depends on the set up…is there a podium (stand) that you can put the papers on? If so, fine, no one will generally see them.
I tended to put notes on 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 note cards. One slide, one card…one topic, a series of cards…one card per point being made. The cards helped give me a sense of timing…and could be rearranged as needed whenever changes were required in the presentation.
A good sense of humor helps…and flexibility too in case of a glitch..you might be able to pull it all off with a chuckle and no one will know there was a problem.
hope this helps….good luck and best wishes on your presentation.
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