The Product Comparison Presentation assignment is very important.  It is very real life, and it is a summary of much of what your have learned.  Give it as much the time and attention as you can.  Start early!

Submit a detailed plan a minimum of 3 weeks prior to giving your talk so you can get some good  feedback from the professor and incorporate it into your talk 

If You Don't Plan to Fail, Don't Fail to Plan!!

Start researching early.  The first step is simply identifying where you will obtain your information.  Your plan is simply the first few slides of the eventual complete presentation. You need to state the models that yuo will be compaing and the sourcws of information.

Be specific: Exactly which Models, Exactly where will you get material (magazine names and dates, store names and addresses, Internet Web site URLs.) 

	1st slide is a title slide with the category of hardware/software you will be comparing, your name, your section number and the date
	2nd slide is the exact 3 (or 4 you may want to eliminate one) products you will be comparing These should state the model numbers and link to the manufacture's page that has the specification for each model.
	3rd slide is the exact 3 (or 4 you may want to eliminate one) places where you will get information such as magazine reviews online or on page.  You need at least 2 independent reviews - more (3 or 4) is better.

Select products from 3 different manufacturers.  Select products should be similar and have prices within 20% of one another. This means the cheapest is not less than 20% less than the middle on and the most expensive is not more than 20% more than the middle one.  For example if you chose cheap ink jet printers, then if the middle priced one was $150 the cheapest could be no less than $120, and the more expensive could be no more than $180. In the real world your boss would probably make that a 10% rule

Make a PowerPoint Presentation comparing the three (3) products.  Compare about ten (10) features.  See grading form.

Make your slide as readable as possible, use short phrases only.  Use large font, few words per slide.  See PowerPoint hints.

Print Handouts for the class (6 slides per page.)

Pictures or samples (which you get from the computer store or the manufacturer) that can be passed around make good additional audio-visuals.

Use notes to speak, but look at the audience. Do NOT read your talk.

Point at (or point out) where you are talking on the visual.

Begin your talk by introducing yourself and your product.
How is the product used?
Why is the right choice important?

Discuss the products feature by feature, NOT product by product. This is to be a comparison, not three product reviews.

End your talk by recommending one of the products, and tell the audience what made your recommend that product.

Be prepared to answer questions.

Grades/Evaluation Plan	25%	Did you turn in a timely plan.  Did you incorporate feedback? Were the products from 3 different manufacturers and comparable (similar features and priced within 20% of one another?)
Research	40%	Did you use a wide variety of sources?  Did you gather the key information? Did you explain how the product works or how/why itis used? Did you explain how you did your research?
Visual	15%	Did you use PowerPoint features?  Nice background?  Drawing on Slide during presentation? Clipart?  WordArt?  Animation?  Sound?  Did you have handouts?
Presentation	20%	Did you explain the product and point out the similarities and the differences?  Did you show your information resources and conclusion/recommendation?  Did you explain your terms?