---

Task 1.5: Give Presentation on GM Animals

You and your teammates have been asked to give a presentation on the topic at hand. For this task, you will give your presentation, answer any questions your audience has, and review another team’s presentation. The steps below will help you with these tasks.

• Read through this guide prior to your presentation in order to familiarize yourself with the process in advance.
  
  
• Review the email from Dr. Woodrow to ensure you understand your tasks.
  

Contents of this guide: (click an item to jump to that section)

• Before the Presentations
  
  
• During the Presentations
  
  
• After the Presentations
  
  
• Review and Submit Your Work
  

Before the Presentations (back to top)

1. Download the Presentation Critique Form attached to Dr. Woodrow’s email and print a copy to record your observations about the other presentation.
   
   
• Look over the Presentation Critique Form to get a feel for what things to look for when watching others present. Another team will also be completing this form for your presentation.
  
  
2. Review "Constructive Criticism" in the General Skills Resources link in the left menu for techniques on giving and receiving constructive criticism.
   

During the Presentations (back to top)

During this session, you will give your portion of the team presentation, listen to another team present, and offer feedback and/or questions to the other presenters.

1. When you are giving your portion of the team presentation:
   
   
   • Answer any questions your audience has. Pay close attention to their questions, and answer them as thoroughly as you can, based on the research you completed.
     
     
   • If you get stuck when answering a question, try to find a constructive way to handle the situation. For example, it is sometimes acceptable to honestly say “I don’t know” and explain that you didn’t look into that aspect of the problem. Try to answer as well as you can, based on what you do know. Also, you may ask teammates to chime in with help if you know they have information that you don’t.
     
     
     • If there are any questions no one on your team is able to answer, you will be given time after the presentation to find an answer (if possible). Take note of any such questions and who asked them so you can keep accurate records and respond in a timely fashion.
       
       
2. When listening to other people provide feedback on your presentation:
   
   
   • Try not to be defensive. The points others raise are not necessarily challenges, but opportunities to identify areas of improvement. Take advantage of their feedback to hone your presentation skills for the future.
     
     
   • Take notes of any particularly relevant points that come up, so that you can discuss them with your team after the presentation to improve for future presentations.
     
     
   • When appropriate, start a dialogue to identify ways to resolve any weak points.
     
     
3. When you are listening to other people present:
   

• Use the Presentation Critique Form to guide your analysis of their presentation.
  
  
• Take notes in the relevant section of the Presentation Critique Form as you make observations. Do what you need to in order to complete the form to provide feedback while still being able to pay attention to the presentation.
  
  
• Take notes on points you want to give to the other team as verbal feedback after their presentation is complete.
  

4. When offering feedback to other presenters:
   
   
   • Be sure to share any positive reaction you may have had first after listening to the presentation.
     
     
     • It can be helpful to mention something you liked about the presentation before pointing out weaknesses. Then do your best to explain why a certain claim worked, while another did not. For example, you might say, "That was not your best possible evidence" or "That did not make a clear connection to your main point.
       
       
   • Be constructive and not just critical.
     
     

     Tip: Before offering your feedback, check your own understanding and the presenter's intentions by saying, "Here's what I hear you saying... was that right?" Give the person a chance to respond. This is a non-threatening way to begin, because it reminds the presenter that you are paying close attention and listening to their ideas. Note that when you clarify in this way, you should not evaluate anything; you should simply restate what you have heard for accuracy. Then after clarifying, pose your question or challenge.

After the Presentations (back to top)

1. Compile an answer to any questions your team was unable to answer during the presentation if there were any.
   
   
• This task is likely to require some research. Distribute work within your team as you see fit. Depending on how much work needs to be done, your team may find it helpful to designate a project manager for this task.
  
  
• Write an answer in response to each question ensuring that each answer is clear, concise, and answers the question fully.
  
  
• Meet as a team to review the answers you have collected to confirm everyone understands the new answer.
  
  
• Discuss how you could ensure coverage of this type of question in future presentations.
  
  
• Combine the answers each team member researched into one file.
  
  
2. Complete the Presentation Critique Form for the presentation you observed. Each member of the team needs to complete this task.
   

• Write your responses using constructive criticism.
  

Review and Submit Your Work (back to top)

1. Review your work
   
   
• Did you research questions people had that you were unable to answer at the time?
  
  
• Did you write a thoughtful yet concise response to each of those questions?
  
  
• Did you thoughtfully complete the Presentation Critique Form in a constructive way for the presentation you watched?
  
  
2. Submit your work
   
   
• Review the checklist located in the Submit Your Work section of this task to ensure completion of the task before submitting your deliverables to your mentor.

---

Task 1.5 Resources

There are no new content-specific resources for this task. Use the General Skills Resources link (in the left menu), relevant resources from previous tasks, other resources you have available to you, and/or conduct your own research to find the information you need to complete this task.