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to those points. This will help in a smooth flow and to ensure you do not inadvertently delete areas of
focus from your briefing.
- Reading off “the wall”—do not stare at slides projected on wall and read off of it. Know your material!
You can glance at wall/slides to keep your place and use as memory jogger. You can also use laser
pointer to point out things on a picture or map.
- If you put too much information on your slides, it may (will) cause you to begin reading off the slides.
Stick to main points that will jog your memory.
- Cite references (verbally or on a slide)!!
- A little humor in the brief can go a long way…
- Exorbitant amount of umms and ahs—practice (chair fly) your brief! Get a buddy to watch and critique
you.
- Shuffling and pounding your feet—you would be surprised how many people did this. It is really loud
and distracting.
- Do not chew gum!
- Do not look at your watch several times throughout brief—have a buddy out in the crowd that signals
time.
- Give me a summary at the end. What do you think about the topic you just briefed? If the briefing is to
help me decide a course of action, give me your recommendation at the end.
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