What's the difference?

Comparing a written assignment and an oral presentation

Here we are thinking about two different modes of communication – a written document and an oral presentation. Nevertheless, in order for your audience to follow you, the two have much in common.

Click the tabs below to reveal a comparison between the two:

There are different genres to consider - which are you planning to create?

Written assignment:

A critical essay
A report
A reflection on practise

Oral presentation:

A PowerPoint presentation
A presentation using handouts only
A poster presentation

You will have constraints imposed to make sure that assessment is fair

Written assignment:

Exploit your word count - avoid waffle/padding/repetition

Oral presentation:

Exploit the time and space available - avoid waffle/padding/repetition!

Make sure your own 'voice' comes through

Written assignment:

Take control of the material and be prepared to justify your choices

Oral presentation:

Ditto

Present an argument

Written assignment:

There must be one! Your essay cannot be just a rambling collection of thoughts

Oral presentation:

Ditto

Organise your thoughts and provide a clear structure to lead your audience through

Written assignment:

Break your essay into sections and paragraphs and order them wisely

Oral presentation:

Ditto when choosing the content and order of your slides/handout

Provide evidence to support your argument

Written assignment:

Refer to your reading, your primary sources, your practical experience, primary data etc.

Oral presentation:

Decide what your audience needs to see on your slide/handout/poster and what your can just say

Be clear, precise and concise

Written assignment:

Think about your choice of vocabulary

Oral presentation:

Ditto

Provide 'signposts'

Written assignment:

Make sure your reader knows what you are saying and why

Oral presentation:

Ditto for your listener/viewer

Proofread for errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar

Written assignment:

It may be best to do this in chunks, as you finish each section of your essay, rather than waiting till you have completed the whole thing. You can use this as ‘ponder time’ to review how your argument is progressing / whether you need to revise your plan, read your source material again or look for more supporting evidence.

Oral presentation:

Errors in spelling are distracting for your audience and stay up on the screen/ on the page for a very long time!
Take special care with the spelling of key figures and specialist terminology that you have learned about on your module

Presentation

Written assignment:

Follow the style guide in your student handbook

Oral presentation:

Be consistent in slide design/handout formatting/poster design

KEY POINTS

When giving your presentation, the language you use will have a different level of formality from a written essay, but nevertheless you still need to present yourself as an authority.
Take time to practise your presentation so that you are confident with the material and can communicate with your audience.
Give them time to think and leave time for questions.