I've been through 6 architectural studios with 6 final critiques at the end of each. Guest judges range from 3-5 during these critiques, and if you don't know how to properly present your work and speak effectively, you just might break a sweat.

So these are some things I've learned by experiencing critiques myself, and of course sitting in on my peers' critiques. In no particular order of importance:

#1: Do not say useless filler words while presenting.
Words such as "like", "kinda", "sort of", etc. These words usually equate to a lack of confidence in your design. So instead of saying, "This is kinda like the supporting storage room to the main space", say instead, "This is the supporting storage room to the main space." A simple omission of two useless words makes your statement so much more sure.

#2: Do not obstruct the view of your drawings and models.
Architectural drawings are LARGE, and when you point out certain parts of the drawing to the judges, it doesn't mean that it's the only part that's currently relevant. Many times judges like to look around to see how various elements of your design fit together, so although they might be looking at the portion you're pointing at, they may also want to see how it fits in the elevation or section view, or within the floor plan, wherever all of these drawings might be located. I've seen so many judges sway their heads to the side because the student is obstructing the view. So the solution? Use a tool like a retractable antenna so that you can stand to the side and not agitate the hell out of the already tired and agitated judges.

#3: Don't you dare read off an index card!
Old habits die hard. Things that were acceptable in high school are no longer OK in college. Outline what you're going to say in your head, and know your design well enough that you can improv all the parts of your outline. The worse thing to do is to prepare a teleprompter-style presidential speech that you try to memorize verbatim. Make sure you have a clear structure as well, and be prepared for judges to interject at any moment. Do not tell them hold their questions until the end. They don't care about your rules and they will view your request as being antagonistic in nature. My structure has always been:

1) Concept and site analysis
2) Working sketches and mass models
3) Breakdown of the major parts of the design
4) Walkthrough of the design, referring to the model(s) for clarification
5) Experiential perspective renderings
6) Tectonics and materials

I do not find that there needs to be a conclusion, except to maybe say, "...and that's my design."

#4: Anticipate questions that are likely to be asked.
A quarter or semester of studio is hardly enough time to fully flesh out your design and analyze all possible approaches to every little element. So chances are, you are fully aware of the many flaws within your design. Don't be arrogant and think that you have achieved some prime design because all your classmates and your instructor all seem to like your design, and you will just breeze through it all. There's nothing worse than getting hit with a question, followed by seconds of awkward silence as you try to organize your thoughts into a response.

It is also a good idea to pay attention to those that get critiqued before you. Often times you will notice that certain judges like to focus on certain things. So you might ask yourself, "What might this judge say about my design?"

#5: The short term memory effect.
The order in which you go in the line of critiques does matter. Usually your instructor assigns the order, but there may be some room for variance. As a general rule of thumb, you do not want to go after someone whose design is better than yours. Because if the judges were blown away by the previous design, their short term memory will cause them to have high expectations with the next design, and if your design fails to satisfy their expectations, you're in for a pounding. That's why I say that going first is always best. And here's another little secret (or pehaps not so secret): Instructors like to place the best designs at the start and end within the critique line. The reasoning is largely psychological; the instructor wants to make a great first impression with the judges, and wants their last impressions to be great as well. In psychology this is also known as "sandwiching", and you can also see this organization in music concerts as well. So do well in studio so you don't end up in the middle.

#6: Do not point out the problems of your design.
Why do people feel the need to do this? It's like when fat people like to point out that they're fat before other people say anything about them being fat. Architectural critiques are not the same thing! You are not in a social situation. Let the judges point out the flaws. That's the point of them being there. And who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and they might miss some very obvious flaw.

#7: Dressing up is really overrated.
Especially if you're not completely finished with your design by the time critiques roll around. If that's the case, then why didn't you spend the remaining time finishing your design instead of going home and dressing up? There is maybe 3-5 seconds at the beginning of every critique where the judges look at you and think to themselves whether or not you're appropriately dressed. After that, it's all about your design. The best analogy I can give is with stand-up comics. There's the first few seconds where the comic states his/her name and shouts "What's up [insert city here]?!!" and everybody applauds. But if the comic's routine sucks, then the audience doesn't care what the hell you look like or where you're from. The presentation and quality of your design is the comic's routine.

#8: Give each judge equal attention and eye contact.
You know how when you're out with several people and maybe one person tends to only look at certain people while ignoring you? Well that's how some judges feel if you constantly look at one judge during critiques. Engage all of them. A left out judge is an offended judge, and an offended judge is one who might rip you harder than you deserve. During these critiques, one might find a "Simon Cowell" amongst them, and you may be tempted to try to gain his/her approval, but the others want to feel involved as well. Remember that.

#9: Do not refer to your instructor at any time.
Don't say, "Well my professor said that this element in my design was acceptable." The judges don't care. They are there to give their viewpoint, which is supposed to be independent of your instructor's. And for the record, the whole "But she said" or "But he said" approach is just bad in life. It makes you look weak. Just stop it, seriously. Never justify anything because someone else said it was OK.

#10: Do not use highly subjective words to describe anything.
Don't say, "This beautiful entrance leads to the main hall." This makes you look arrogant. If your building entrance does indeed look beautiful, a judge will probably mention it. You will also be viewed as manipulative; trying to sway the judges' opinion using language and rhetoric.