Guide-lines for your handout

1. Why do I need a handout for my presentation?

• It goes along your presentation and thus, helps your audience to follow.
• Your audience does not have to take notes all the time and can therefore concentrate on your presentation.
• It contains important definitions, and – if necessary – pictures and examples.
• It refers to further reading and sources.

2. What are general guidelines for my handout?

• Your handout should not be the full text of your presentation!
• Keywords and -phrases should be used instead of writing a fully elaborated text.
• The maximum length is 2 pages, better: one page only!
• Leave some space for note-taking!
• A spell-checking tool should be employed!

3. What does a good handout look like?

• Give as a header: name of class, semester, exact date of presentation and name of students presenting.
• Give a clear title or leading question of your presentation.
• Present a clear structure of your presentation:
  • What are the points you want to discuss? Name these points!
  • What is the "bottom line" you want to arrive at? Name the core points of your argument(s)!
• Present the quotes from primary sources you use in your presentation in full length.
• Give a full bibliography at the end of your handout.