Mimeo HE-293
September 1956
Purdue University
Home Economics Extension
Foods and Nutrition Project
POINTS ON GIVING A GOOD FOODS DEMONSTRATION
1.	Dress appropriately for the occasion - wear a simple clean, attractive, light, colored wash dress. Costume jewelry, finger polish and fluffy long hair styles are not for demonstrations. To look right is to feel right.
2.	Hair should be combed neatly and pinned securely in place so the hands will not need to touch the hair during the demonstration.
3. Plan and practice your demonstration sufficiently at home so you will have poise and confidence in yourself. Your audience can easily detect whether you are natural and at ease with your subject.
4.	Write out a list of the supplies and equipment you will need. Check this list as you set your demonstration table. This will help to insure a smooth demonstration.
5. Arrive at the meeting place in plenty of time so you can have the room ready and your equipment arranged before time to start the meeting. Go at least 45 minutes early. Have time to sit down and relax a minute before the meeting starts. You cannot be a good teacher if you are nervous and tense.
6.	Arrange for blackboard facilities at the meeting. A blackboard helps greatly in giving a good demonstration or talk. This is important for emphasizing the important points and helps to keep interest and attention.
7.	Arrange the seats for the comfort of the members so that all can see and hear easily. See that there is good light without a glare and plenty of fresh air.
A slightly cool room is better than one that is too warm and stuffy. Avoid standing in front of a window which causes a glare for the audience. The assistant leader might be responsible for this. It is well to ask an assistant to be responsible for this.
8.	If the meeting is in a home, sometimes having the demonstration table in the doorway between the kitchen and the audience is helpful. This is especially true if the kitchen is small.
9. Cover the table with clean white paper if the table tops are not well finished or attractive. Newspapers are not sanitary or attractive.
10.	In setting up the demonstration table, place the tray with supplies on the left and the tray with equipment on the right. Extra equipment or large pieces should be placed on a side or back table close by. The center of the work table should be for working.
11. Avoid having large objects on the table which will prevent the members from seeing what you are doing.
12.	Show plainly every step in teaching the practice from the beginning to the finished product. An unbaked loaf bread or cake leaves the audience unsatisfied.
13.	Let the audience see plainly every step of the demonstration. Encourage discussion and questions on the subject. Take plenty of time to explain fully each step of the demonstration. Do not hurry.