Oral Presentations

1The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

OralOral

PresentationsPresentations


This presentation will answer these This presentation will answer these five questions...five questions...

What are the different types of presentations?What are the different types of presentations?

What are the elements of the communication What are the elements of the communication process? process?

How do you create an effective presentation?How do you create an effective presentation?

What are the elements of all good What are the elements of all good presentations?presentations?

What “pitfalls” should you try to avoid?What “pitfalls” should you try to avoid?


Three GoalsThree Goals

To turn nervousness into confidenceTo turn nervousness into confidence

To learn how to evaluate a To learn how to evaluate a presentationpresentation

To advise others to become better To advise others to become better presenterspresenters


You could make a thousand different You could make a thousand different types of presentations … types of presentations …

InformingInformingDemonstrationDemonstration

DefinitionDefinitionDescriptionDescription

ExpositoryExpositoryPersuasionPersuasion

#1: The Different Types of Presentations#1: The Different Types of Presentations


ImpromptuImpromptu - “Off the cuff” - “Off the cuff”

MemorizedMemorized - Recited - Recited

ManuscriptManuscript - Read - Read

PreparedPrepared - Spoken with cue cards - Spoken with cue cards

#1: The Different Types of Presentations#1: The Different Types of Presentations


Listener

Message

Response

Speaker

#2: Elements of the Communication Process#2: Elements of the Communication Process


Key learningKey learning … …

SSpeakers must be aware of all peakers must be aware of all aspects of a presentation, aspects of a presentation, NOTNOT just how they are feeling at that just how they are feeling at that

moment … moment …

the speaker is only one part of the the speaker is only one part of the whole ….whole ….



REMEMBER...REMEMBER...

You have the You have the audienceaudience and, more and, more importantly, the importantly, the messagemessage to think to think about. about.

Realize this and you should begin Realize this and you should begin to take control over your anxiety. to take control over your anxiety.



SpeakerSpeaker – – The speaker wants to The speaker wants to communicate an ideacommunicate an idea

MessageMessage – – The speaker puts the idea The speaker puts the idea into a structured messageinto a structured message

ChannelChannel – – The message is sent The message is sent through a channel to the through a channel to the audienceaudience



AudienceAudience – – the audience receives the audience receives and interprets the messageand interprets the message

ResponseResponse – – the audience responds the audience responds to the messageto the message



The The speakerspeaker must focus onmust focus on words, attitude, tone, and words, attitude, tone, and

outward appearanceoutward appearance



The The listenerlistener has needs which you - has needs which you - the speaker - are trying to meet. the speaker - are trying to meet.

Just as you would “write for your Just as you would “write for your readers”, you should try to “speak for readers”, you should try to “speak for your listeners, not for yourself.”your listeners, not for yourself.”



Message Message == Content Content ++ Form Form

ContentContent – the information – the information you you want to deliverwant to deliver

FormForm – – Structure of the Structure of the message, the style, message, the style,

the the features of deliveryfeatures of delivery



ResponseResponse

Pay attention to the reaction of the Pay attention to the reaction of the audience during and after the audience during and after the

speechspeech



RESPONSES to a speech can include:RESPONSES to a speech can include:

non-verbal or verbal responses before and non-verbal or verbal responses before and during speechduring speech

questions right after speechquestions right after speech

questions and comments received laterquestions and comments received later



Use the Use the

RESPONSERESPONSE

to your presentation to become a to your presentation to become a better presenterbetter presenter



Presenting Presenting

is only one part is only one part

of the equation!of the equation!

#3: Creating a Presentation#3: Creating a Presentation


Successful presentations involveSuccessful presentations involve

Planning & PracticePlanning & Practice



The more you The more you

PLAN and PRACTICE, PLAN and PRACTICE,

the less the less nervousnervous

you will be.you will be.



The more you The more you

PLAN and PRACTICE, PLAN and PRACTICE,

the more the more effectiveeffective

you will be.you will be.



PfiefferPfieffer uses the outline uses the outline ROTGDROTGD to help you think to help you think about planning your presentationabout planning your presentation

RResearchesearch

OOrganizationrganization

TText ext

GGraphicsraphics

DDeliveryelivery



PlanningPlanning and and writingwriting

your presentation should be your presentation should be given given equalequal or or moremore

importance than the deliveryimportance than the delivery



ResearchResearch- Who is the audience?Who is the audience?- What is the purpose?What is the purpose?- How much time to speak?How much time to speak?- Know the topic . . .Know the topic . . .



OrganizationOrganization- IntroductionIntroduction - - Tell them what you Tell them what you

are going to tell themare going to tell them- Body Body - - Tell themTell them- ConclusionConclusion - - Tell them what you Tell them what you

told themtold them

#4: Elements of a Good Presentation#4: Elements of a Good Presentation


The Introduction:The Introduction: Opener Opener ObjectiveObjective PreviewPreview



The BodyThe Body

Key Point Key Point 11, Supporting Material, Transition, Supporting Material, Transition



Remember you have a limited amount of time Remember you have a limited amount of time – gauge the volume of content carefully.– gauge the volume of content carefully.



The ConclusionThe Conclusion

SummarySummary To DoTo Do



TextText - Simple descriptive words are betterSimple descriptive words are better- Never read from a scriptNever read from a script- Never memorize a scriptNever memorize a script- Use cue cards with major points Use cue cards with major points

written in large letters (written in large letters (the scriptthe script))



Rule of 7 Rule of 7

for slides or overheadsfor slides or overheads

try not to put more than try not to put more than

7 words on words on 7 lines lines



GraphicsGraphics Fit the settingFit the setting Support the messageSupport the message Wake the audienceWake the audience Used sparinglyUsed sparingly



and are…and are… Pictorial Pictorial ColourfulColourful CreativeCreative



DeliveryDelivery

Energetic – enthusiasticEnergetic – enthusiasticDelivered with careDelivered with careBe careful with hand gesturesBe careful with hand gestures



MispronunciationMispronunciation

Filler words:Filler words: ahhhs, ummmms, uhhhs, “you know”, ahhhs, ummmms, uhhhs, “you know”, “right?”“right?”

Not being heardNot being heard

Uninteresting voiceUninteresting voice

#5: The Pitfalls to Avoid#5: The Pitfalls to Avoid


Ineffective gesturingIneffective gesturing

Equipment not workingEquipment not working

Using visual aids incorrectlyUsing visual aids incorrectly

Wrong clothesWrong clothes

Opening with a jokeOpening with a joke



Poor eye contact Poor eye contact

Weak introduction Weak introduction

Ineffective transitions Ineffective transitions

Weak conclusion (Thank You!)Weak conclusion (Thank You!)



Overcome Nervous AnxietyOvercome Nervous Anxiety

Goals to Achieve...Goals to Achieve...

Change the nervousness to Change the nervousness to confidenceconfidence


ConfidenceConfidence

adds adds energyenergy to a to a presentationpresentation


Overcome Nervous AnxietyOvercome Nervous Anxiety

It is not It is not fearfear you are feeling; it is you are feeling; it is nervousnessnervousness

Identify the source – Identify the source – self-consciousnessself-consciousness Recognize the solution – your abilityRecognize the solution – your ability Think positively – Think positively – I amI am … … I canI can ... ... I know I know …… RelaxRelax Gather support from the audienceGather support from the audience

The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 39

Evaluating a presentation means making a critique of both the strong and

weak aspects, not just a criticism.


Evaluating a PresentationEvaluating a Presentation

Focus on the positiveFocus on the positive Tell presenters what you likedTell presenters what you liked If someone is doing something that really If someone is doing something that really

does not work, show them a technique does not work, show them a technique that does work that does work

Do not criticize without providing a Do not criticize without providing a solution or suggestionsolution or suggestion


Focus on the Focus on the messagemessage, but also think , but also think about how the presentation is about how the presentation is

createdcreated, , organizedorganized, and , and delivereddelivered

The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 42

How did the audience respond to How did the audience respond to your presentation?your presentation?

What did you do well?What did you do well?

What skills do you need to improve What skills do you need to improve before your next presentation?before your next presentation?

Critical Reflection...


Remember…Remember…

Present yourself Present yourself positivelypositively

every chance you get.every chance you get.


ReferencesReferences

Arredondo, Lani. How to Present Like a Pro: Getting People to See Things Your Way. New York: McGraw-Hill Inc., 1991.

Koch, Arthur. Speaking With a Purpose. 5th ed. Boston: Allyn Bacon, 2001.

Pfeiffer, William S. Pocket Guide to Public Speaking. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2002.

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