COMMUNICATION SKILLS I April 2, 2015

Today - Presentation skill: Pausing - Non-verbal aspects of presentation - Work on Task 1 presentation

Reminder Presentations begin next class (Tuesday). Asking questions will also be part of your grade.

Pausing Some speakers speak too fast (and look nervous) Others may speak too slow (and appear nervous or unprepared). - Proper pausing can help make your speech more effective.

Pausing Proper pausing can help make your speech more effective. - The two types of pausing are:  Full stop (i.e., at the end of a sentence). ///  Slow down (a vey brief pause between two words). //

Pausing - Example Right now, John’s studying business at the University of Michigan. His major area of interest is managing non profit corporations. Before John went to college, he traveled around the world for two years.

Pausing Right now,// John’s studying business// at the University of Michigan./// His major area of interest// is managing non profit corporations./// Before John went to college,// he traveled around the world for two years./// Linking words (sign posts) Subject + verb + object Prepositional phrase Noun phrase Subordinate clause Main clause

Pausing - Example Right now//, John’s studying business// at the University of Michigan///. His major area of interest// is managing non profit corporations///. Before John went to college//, he traveled around the world for two years///.

Pausing You can also use pausing for dramatic effect. i.e., after asking a rhetorical question: “Ladies and gentlemen, did you know that homework destroys the lives of 99 out of every 100 students each day?” PAUSE “Work, at home. What a terrible threat to fun…”

Erica got a B.A. in international business in 2001.During college, she did research on economic growth in India. After graduation, she interned at a consulting firm that works on emerging markets in Asia. Three years later, she returned to university to get her master’s degree in economics. Right now, she works as a consultant at Capital Economics.

// means to slow down /// means to stop. Erica got a B.A. in international business //in 2001.///During college,// she did research on economic growth in India./// After graduation,// she interned at a consulting firm// that works on emerging markets in Asia./// Three years later,// she returned to university //to get her master’s degree in economics./// Right now, // she works as a consultant // at Capital Economics.

A few notes: Sign-posting Remember to use sign-posts (but, furthermore, etc…) - Use them in an introduction (i.e., providing an outline) “First, we will discuss X, then move on to Y, and finish with Z.” - Use when moving on to new section “Now, I will move on to…”

A few notes: Sign-posting Remember to use sign-posts (but, furthermore, etc…) - Use them when examining visuals “As you can see by this figure…” - Use them to put emphasis on a point “Please notice that…”

A few notes: Sign-posting Remember to use sign-posts (but, furthermore, etc…) - Use them to summarize after a long section “So, in brief…” - Use them to transition between speakers “Jane will now continue with a discussion of…”

A few notes: “Thank you for listening” = DO NOT USE Thursday: Avoid large scripts - If you must, you can use small cue cards. Remember your time limit: minutes + 5 minutes for Q&A.

A Good Presentation: Non-verbal aspects perfect language skills does not = a good presentation. Non-verbal elements also play a role in giving a good presentation: - Appearance - Posture - Body language - Eye contact - Good speech structure

Non-verbal skills Appearance: VS. Photo credit: properashell.comproperashell.com Photo credit:

Non-verbal skills Appearance: A professional appearance makes you seem: - More confident. - More knowledgeable. - More reliable It also draws peoples’ attention… in a good way.

A Good Speech Posture: VS.

Non-verbal skills Body language:

Non-verbal skills Body language: - Use gestures naturally (like you would when talking to your friends). - Trying to “plan” or “fake” too many gestures will make you appear unnatural. - Be careful to avoid exaggerated gestures. - A good way to practice gestures is to speak in front of a mirror.

Non-verbal skills Posture: - Stand straight (but not like a robot). - It shows you are serious and confident. - Also draws peoples’ attention.

A Good Presentation THE most important element of a good presentation? Preparation