Making Presentations Jennifer Powers ISP 499z January 27, 2003
10 Steps for Powerful Presentations 1. Knowing your listeners 2. Identifying your purpose 3. Organizing your presentation 4. Speaking clearly 5. Controlling nervousness From: Powerful Presentation Skills, Becker and Becker, 1994
10 Steps for Powerful Presentations 6. Choosing language 7. Controlling nonverbal behavior 8. Using visuals 9. Handling questions 10. The final touch
1. Knowing your listeners Why? Streamline presentation Simplify preparation Customize materials Feel more comfortable Reduce anxiety
1. Knowing your listeners How? Listeners checklist (pp. 2–4) Why am I speaking? Why are they listening? What are their attitudes/behaviors likely to be? What relationship do we have? What relationship do they have with each other?
1. Knowing your listeners Why, continued What do they know about this topic? What would they like to know? How will they use this information? What are they doing before and after I speak? What are the logistics of the speaking situation?
2. Identifying your purpose Five purposes Persuading Informing Motivating Entertaining Inspiring
2. Identifying your purpose Supporting techniques Persuading through ethos (reputation/credibility) Persuading through pathos (emotions) Persuading through logos (logic)
2. Identifying your purpose Supporting techniques, continued Informing through telling Informing through teaching Informing through training
2. Identifying your purpose Supporting techniques, continued The motivation matrix o Motivated by Ethos Pathos Logos o Motivated for Accomplishment Recognition Power
2. Identifying your purpose Accomplishme nt RecognitionPower Ethos (credibility) Pathos (emotion) Logos (logic)
3. Organizing your presentation Inductive organization Deductive organization The four-step outline Numerical transition
4. Speaking clearly Assimilation Plosive sounds Rate of speed Pace Articulation Inflection
5. Controlling nervousness ABCs of fear Diaphragmatic breathing 10-second relaxer
6. Choosing language Be clear Be colorful Be concrete Be concise Be consistent Be correct
7. Controlling nonverbal behavior 2 golden rules Be yourself Don’t do anything that draws attention to itself
7. Controlling nonverbal behavior Supporting techniques Dress Facial expression Eye contact Body movement Hand and arm gestures Conditions affecting behavior
8. Using visuals Synchronization Introduction Set-up Talk and do
9. Handling questions When you don’t want questions… Submitted in writing Answered privately Asked later
9. Handling questions When you do want questions… Encouraging questions Listening to questions Responding to questions How to say “I don’t know”
10. The final touch Clothing Diet and fitness Using notes Openings Practicing
Making presentations Be prepared Practice Relax
Questions? Refer to Powerful Presentation Skills for more on all of these topics