How to Behave at a Presentation

Part of the job of graduate student (and professional) requires that you sit through a great many presentations. Most departments invite speakers to campus to discuss their research and many hold regular seminars that many refer to as "brown bag lunches" because they are often held during lunch hours and the audience is encouraged to bring a simple lunch. Speakers include current students, alumni, professors, and invited speakers. Regardless of who is speaking, it is important that you follow some simple rules for being a good audience because you are judged on your ability to demonstrate respect and foster intellectual communication.

Be Timely and Don't Distract Others
Arrive on time and take your seat. Do not get up and move around during the talk unless told to do so. Remain seated until the presentation is over. If you must leave to go to the restroom, do not re-enter the room until there is a break, or take a seat quietly at the back of the room.Sit still with both feet planted on the floor or legs crossed. Keep your hands below your shoulders. Minimize any movement --it's discourteous to others.

Be Attentive
Try your best to pay attention. Make notes to help you focus. Do not talk or whisper during the presentation.

Assist the Speaker
If something is funny, laugh. If the speaker asks for questions, have one. If something great happens, applaud. If you enjoyed the presentation, applaud at the end. Also, do not assume the presentation is interactive. Until the speaker announces an exercise or activity, asks questions, requests comments, or asks the audience to interact, remain silent and attentive.

Do Not Distract Others
This is so important that it appears twice on this list. Do not do anything that distracts either the speaker or the audience. This would include but is not limited to: talking, whispering, wearing strong cologne, coughing, joking, shuffling your feet, rustling papers, tapping your pencil, humming, heckling, allowing your cell phone to ring, talking on your cell phone, or sending e-mail or text messages.

Be an Active Participant
Come prepared to make your contribution as a member of the audience. It's an active role, not passive. Take notes, think of interesting questions, and have a positive attitude.

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Susan Dunn offers coaching, distance learning courses, and ebooks around emotional intelligence, and trains and certifies EQ coaches. For more info, visit http://www.susandunn.cc