Chapters
In an AQA GCSE English course, the individual researched presentation is typically a part of the speaking and listening assessment. This assessment component aims to evaluate a student's ability to research, plan, and deliver a coherent and effective presentation on a given topic.
Sometimes, you’ll have the option to choose your own topic. The teacher may alternatively narrow down the topics for you or give you something to focus on.
You’ll be judged based on the following:
Research Skills: Students are required to conduct independent research on a chosen topic, demonstrating the ability to gather relevant information from various sources.
Presentation Skills: The assessment evaluates how well students can structure and deliver a presentation, considering factors such as clarity, organisation, and engagement.
Communication Skills: Students are expected to communicate their ideas effectively, using appropriate language, tone, and style for their audience.
Critical Thinking: The presentation often involves analysing information critically, evaluating different perspectives, and forming coherent arguments.
So, you need to be able to understand the topic in a good level of detail and show this, usually in the form of a presentation. You may be able to use things like props and aids, but you will be marked on the way you talk.
Individual Researched Presentation Ideas
Below, we’ve shared some of the individual researched presentation ideas. These can be good topics to show your ability to research and show two sides of an argument, as well as put forward a persuasive point.
Even if you don’t have the option to choose your own topic, the following are examples of the kind of interesting topics you may be asked to explore:
- Artificial Intelligence Ethics: Investigate ethical considerations and implications of artificial intelligence.
- Genetic Engineering: Analyse the ethical and societal implications of genetic engineering and biotechnology.
- Colonialism and Its Effects: Investigate the historical impacts of colonialism on colonised regions and cultures.
- Women's Suffrage Movement: Analyse the history and significance of the women's suffrage movement.
- Cultural Diversity in a Specific Region: Explore the cultural diversity of a specific region or country, examining traditions, languages, and customs.
- Social Media Influence: Explore the influence of social media on communication, relationships, and societal trends.
- Mental Health Awareness: Examine the importance of mental health awareness and the impact of mental health stigma.
These are just some examples, and there are lots of other potential options for your presentation.
Researching For the Presentation
Before you give your presentation itself, you will need to do a lot of research to ensure that you know enough about the topic and have prepared a speaking and listening exercise for your classmates. You will be creating a (roughly) 10 minute presentation usually delivered in front of others.
Further tips are shared below, but this excellent video can also help you to prepare your presentation.
Define Your Purpose and Scope
Clearly define the purpose of your presentation and the specific aspects you want to cover. This will help you stay focused during your research and avoid information overload.
Identify Reliable Sources
Use reputable sources such as academic journals, books from established publishers, government publications, and websites of well-known organisations. Be cautious with information from personal blogs or unverified sources.
Check the Credibility of Authors You Use
Verify the credentials of the authors or organisations providing the information. Look for qualifications, expertise, and affiliations that indicate their credibility on the subject.
Use Academic Databases
Utilise academic databases like JSTOR, PubMed, or Google Scholar for scholarly articles and research papers. These databases provide access to peer-reviewed and credible sources and this sort of exercise is exactly what they are for.
Cross-Reference Information
Cross-reference information from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. Consistency across various reputable sources enhances the credibility of your presentation.
Verify Statistics and Data
If your presentation includes statistics, check the source of the data and ensure it is recent and from a reliable institution. Be wary of outdated statistics or those without clear sources.
Explore Different Perspectives
Seek out information from various perspectives to present a well-rounded view of your topic. This helps you address potential counterarguments and strengthens the overall credibility of your presentation.
Creating Your Presentation
Let’s look at some practical tips to create your presentation. Remember, it is important to ensure that you follow steps to make an engaging, quality presentation.
Choose an Engaging Angle for Your Topic
Selecting an interesting and unique angle for your presentation is crucial. Consider approaching your topic from a perspective that sparks curiosity or challenges conventional thinking. Whether it's a personal anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a surprising fact, capturing your audience's attention from the beginning sets the tone for an engaging presentation.
Try to Ensure Audience Learning
To ensure your audience feels they have learned something new, focus on delivering valuable insights. Highlight key points, share relevant examples, and offer a fresh perspective. You should always aim to leave your audience with a deeper understanding or a newfound appreciation for the topic, and keep things interesting for anyone who is watching you.
Structure Your Presentation Properly
- Introduction
Begin with a compelling introduction that grabs attention. Clearly state your topic and its significance.
- Body
Organise your main ideas logically and coherently. Use a clear structure, such as chronological order, cause and effect, or problem-solution, depending on your topic.
Each main point should contribute to the overall narrative and support your angle.
- Transitions
Ensure smooth transitions between different sections of your presentation. Use linking words and phrases to guide your audience through your ideas seamlessly.
- Counter Arguments
Address potential counterarguments to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of your topic. Articulate why your perspective is valid and supported by evidence.
- Conclusion
Summarise key points concisely. Revisit the angle you introduced in the introduction, emphasising its significance while typing everything up nicely. If you can, try to end with a memorable closing statement that leaves a lasting impression.
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve created your presentation, it is important that you practise it, try to film yourself on your phone or perform in front of the mirror. You don’t need to be amazing, but you do need to make your point clearly and use evidence in order to get good marks. This can make up a percentage of your overall GCSE mark, so it is an area to take seriously and spend time working on.
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Great site with a lot of resources. Thank You so much.
Hi Anneme! Thanks for your lovely comment, glad to hear that you found these resources useful! Best of luck with your revision! :)
thank you for helping me with my work
Wow. I can’t imagine what sources were used for this, but they clearly weren’t reliable. “During the first half of the twentieth century, America was open to immigrants from all parts of Europe”—nope. Look up the Immigration Act of 1924, and keep in mind it didn’t come out of nowhere. It wasn’t significantly revised until 1952 and was only replaced in 1965. It’s not exactly a secret Americans overall were distinctly unwelcoming toward Italian immigrants for quite some time. I’m not sure how many were victims of hate crimes in total, but not everyone murdered in the lynching epidemic was Black.
“However, Italian immigrants, especially from southern Italy or Sicily, held on to their ancient values”—don’t most of us do that? This smacks of xenophobia, and it gets worse from there. “Italy has a violent past due to criminal organizations like the Mafia…” I don’t even know where to start with this, but I see this is a UK site. Do you not realize how violent your own history is? Do you think Italians are monolithic? Even if your portrayal of the mafia’s significance were accurate, what makes a mafia don so different from one of the many capricious, overly entitled English monarchs throughout your history?
To be clear, I don’t want your answers to any of these questions. I want you to properly research your subjects before attempting to teach others about them.