Ask yourself: What kind of presentation do I want to do?
                         Should I write a report?
                         What about something visual?
 

How do I write a report?:
First you write an introduction which will explain the focus of your paper and your specific purpose. If you are having trouble getting started answer the "who", "what", "when","where", "why" first. You may need to give some history so that your reader will understand what you are talking about.Click here to get more help writing an introduction.

Next you write the body of your paper. Put your notecards in order the way you want to present your argument/information. Write the body stating the points you want to make and include details and resources to support your  points. Here are some ways to develop your paragraph:

• Describe your topic
• Describe the timeline of events (when things happened
• Use examples or illustrations
• List facts that support your topic
• Use quotes from other people
• Use a story or anecdote
• Compare and contrast
• Evaluate
• Talk about effects or consequences
• Analyze your topic

Revision is your next step. Read your paper and see if it is logical. Read it to a friend and ask them if it connects well, and if they can understand what you are trying to say.  Make sure that each paragraph has a topic sentence and that you use details to support your topic sentence. Look for smooth transitions between paragraphs. Check your paper for complete sentences, punctuation and spelling. Don't forget to use spell check on your computer!

What if I want to do something visual?
How about a PowerPoint presentation? What is that, you ask? It is a slide show you can create on your computer using the information you have collected.Hyperstudio and Appleworks/Clarisworks have slide shows also. It is a great way to provide a visual for an oral report. Click here to find out how to do a PowerPoint presentation. ( Did you know PowerPoint presentations are used in the real world?)

What else could I do that would be visual?
You could do a video presentation. Ask your librarian if your school has a video camera that you can use during school hours to video tape your presentation. Maybe your family has a video camera that you could use to tape your presentation or tape things you want to show your audience. (Don't forget to make sure your teacher can get a VCR to show your video tape on.)

Don't forget :

        Dioramas
        Posters
        Models (especially working models!)
        Art work

Does your teacher have a classroom web page?
Ask if you can publish your work on the classroom web page! Then you can show others your work at home or wherever there is a computer with Internet access. If you don't have a computer at home, don't forget that your public library is a great place to use computers!