• Oral presentations help boost confidence in your speaking skills.presentation image by Cindy Haggerty from Fotolia.com
  
  Select a topic for your oral presentation that is unique but still related to the subject you're studying in class. Discuss your topic idea with your teacher before starting research because he may want you to go in a different direction. Research areas that have not been covered heavily in class because this will add freshness to your presentation. Finally, talk to classmates and relatives about your ideas; they might know something about the topics and be able to point you to some useful resources.
  
  

Argumentative Presentation

• Depending on your topic, you can use your presentation as a debate. If your topic is about affirmative action policies, for example, explain both sides of the issue, then offer your views while pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of arguments for and against. Asking the class questions on the issue is a good way to get them involved.
  
  

Topics Students are Interested In

• To keep your presentation from being dull and routine, think about conversations you have had with classmates and choose a topic they are interested in. For example, if your classmates talk a lot about paying for college, do a presentation on increases in college tuition and special grants available for students.
  
  

Group Discussion

• To maximize audience and teacher participation, turn the presentation into a group discussion. Make copies of your outline and notes and arrange the class in a circle while discussing the topic. Have students write down two or three questions during the presentation to encourage a good discussion when you've finished.