Making Effective Presentations Making Effective Presentations SPC 1315 / SPC 1321 Making Effective Presentations Making Effective Presentations

Developing the Presentation

Getting Started Select a topic *Something you like *Something you know about *Something you feel strongly about Develop a purpose Write a statement and summary Come up with main points

Establishing a Purpose General Purpose Inform? Persuade? Entertain? Specific Purpose Describe the Reaction You Are Seeking Be As Specific As Possible Make Your Goal Realistic Be aware of your audience

Methods for Defining a Thesis Statement Imagine that you met a number of your audience at the elevator and had only a few seconds to explain your idea before the doors closed. Imagine that you had to send a one- or two-sentence text message that communicated your main ideas.

Methods for Defining a Thesis Statement continued…. Ask yourself, “If my listeners heard only a small portion of my remarks, what is the minimum they should have learned?” Suppose that a friend asked one of your listeners what you were driving at in your presentation. What would you want the audience member to say?

Analyzing the Situation Analyzing the Audience What are their positions? What are their personal preferences? What demographic characteristics are significant? What size is the group? Why is the audience there? What does the audience know? What are the listeners’ attitudes?

Audience Demographics Age Sex (gender) Religion Cultural Background Intellectual Level Occupation Socioeconomic Level Community Status

Analyzing Yourself As the Speaker Your Purpose Your Knowledge Your Feelings About the Occasion

Speaker Credibility “A speaker’s character is the most important means of persuasion he possesses”. --Aristotle It consists of… Character Intelligence Good will

Analyzing the Occasion Facilities Lighting Furniture arrangement Physical comfort Time Time of day Time limit Context