1The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 OralPresentations

2 This presentation will answer these five questions... What are the different types of presentations? What are the different types of presentations? What are the elements of the communication process? What are the elements of the communication process? How do you create an effective presentation? How do you create an effective presentation? What are the elements of all good presentations? What are the elements of all good presentations? What “pitfalls” should you try to avoid? What “pitfalls” should you try to avoid?

3The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Three Goals To turn nervousness into confidence To turn nervousness into confidence To learn how to evaluate a presentation To learn how to evaluate a presentation To advise others to become better presenters To advise others to become better presenters

4The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 You could make a thousand different types of presentations … InformingDemonstrationDefinitionDescriptionExpositoryPersuasion #1: The Different Types of Presentations

5The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Impromptu - “Off the cuff” Impromptu - “Off the cuff” Memorized - Recited Memorized - Recited Manuscript - Read Manuscript - Read Prepared - Spoken with cue cards Prepared - Spoken with cue cards #1: The Different Types of Presentations

6The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Listener Message Response Speaker #2: Elements of the Communication Process

7The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Key learning … Speakers must be aware of all aspects of a presentation, NOT just how they are feeling at that moment … the speaker is only one part of the whole …. #2: Elements of the Communication Process

8The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 REMEMBER... You have the audience and, more importantly, the message to think about. Realize this and you should begin to take control over your anxiety. #2: Elements of the Communication Process

9The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Speaker – The speaker wants to communicate an idea Message – The speaker puts the idea into a structured message Channel – The message is sent through a channel to the audience #2: Elements of the Communication Process

10The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Audience – the audience receives and interprets the message Response – the audience responds to the message #2: Elements of the Communication Process

11The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 The speaker must focus on words, attitude, tone, and outward appearance #2: Elements of the Communication Process

12The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 The listener has needs which you - the speaker - are trying to meet. Just as you would “write for your readers”, you should try to “speak for your listeners, not for yourself.” #2: Elements of the Communication Process

13The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Message = Content + Form Content – the informationyou want to deliver Form – Structure of the message, the style, the features of delivery #2: Elements of the Communication Process

14The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Response Pay attention to the reaction of the audience during and after the speech #2: Elements of the Communication Process

15The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 RESPONSES to a speech can include: non-verbal or verbal responses before and during speech non-verbal or verbal responses before and during speech questions right after speech questions right after speech questions and comments received later questions and comments received later #2: Elements of the Communication Process

16The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Use the RESPONSE to your presentation to become a better presenter #2: Elements of the Communication Process

17The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Presenting is only one part of the equation! #3: Creating a Presentation

18The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Successful presentations involve Planning & Practice #3: Creating a Presentation

19The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 The more you PLAN and PRACTICE, the less nervous you will be. #3: Creating a Presentation

20The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 The more you PLAN and PRACTICE, the more effective you will be. #3: Creating a Presentation

21The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Pfieffer uses the outline ROTGD to help you think about planning your presentation R esearch O rganization T ext G raphics D elivery #3: Creating a Presentation

22The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Planning and writing your presentation should be given equal or more importance than the delivery #3: Creating a Presentation

23The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Research - Who is the audience? - What is the purpose? - How much time to speak? - Know the topic... #3: Creating a Presentation

24The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Organization - Introduction -Tell them what you are going to tell them - Body - Tell them - Conclusion - Tell them what you told them #4: Elements of a Good Presentation

25The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 The Introduction: Opener Opener Objective Objective Preview Preview #4: Elements of a Good Presentation

26The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 The Body Key Point 1, Supporting Material, Transition Key Point 2, Supporting Material, Transition Key Point 3, Supporting Material, Transition Remember you have a limited amount of time – gauge the volume of content carefully. #4: Elements of a Good Presentation

27The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 The Conclusion Summary Summary To Do To Do #4: Elements of a Good Presentation

28The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Text - Simple descriptive words are better - Never read from a script - Never memorize a script - Use cue cards with major points written in large letters (the script) #4: Elements of a Good Presentation

29The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Rule of 7 for slides or overheads try not to put more than words on lines 7 words on 7 lines #4: Elements of a Good Presentation

30The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Graphics Fit the setting Fit the setting Support the message Support the message Wake the audience Wake the audience Used sparingly Used sparingly #4: Elements of a Good Presentation

31The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 and are… Pictorial Pictorial Colourful Colourful Creative Creative #4: Elements of a Good Presentation

32The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Delivery Energetic – enthusiastic Energetic – enthusiastic Delivered with care Delivered with care Be careful with hand gestures Be careful with hand gestures #4: Elements of a Good Presentation

33The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Mispronunciation Mispronunciation Filler words: Filler words: ahhhs, ummmms, uhhhs, “you know”, “right?” ahhhs, ummmms, uhhhs, “you know”, “right?” Not being heard Not being heard Uninteresting voice Uninteresting voice #5: The Pitfalls to Avoid

34The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Ineffective gesturing Ineffective gesturing Equipment not working Equipment not working Using visual aids incorrectly Using visual aids incorrectly Wrong clothes Wrong clothes Opening with a joke Opening with a joke #5: The Pitfalls to Avoid

35The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Poor eye contact Poor eye contact Weak introduction Weak introduction Ineffective transitions Ineffective transitions Weak conclusion (Thank You!) Weak conclusion (Thank You!) #5: The Pitfalls to Avoid

36The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Overcome Nervous Anxiety Goals to Achieve... Goals to Achieve... Change the nervousness to confidence

37The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Confidence adds energy to a presentation

38The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Overcome Nervous Anxiety It is not fear you are feeling; it is nervousness It is not fear you are feeling; it is nervousness Identify the source – self-consciousness Identify the source – self-consciousness Recognize the solution – your ability Recognize the solution – your ability Think positively – I am … I can... I know … Think positively – I am … I can... I know … Relax Relax Gather support from the audience Gather support from the audience

The Writing Centre - StFX University, Evaluating a presentation means making a critique of both the strong and weak aspects, not just a criticism.

40The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Evaluating a Presentation Focus on the positive Focus on the positive Tell presenters what you liked Tell presenters what you liked If someone is doing something that really does not work, show them a technique that does work If someone is doing something that really does not work, show them a technique that does work Do not criticize without providing a solution or suggestion Do not criticize without providing a solution or suggestion

41The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Focus on the message, but also think about how the presentation is created, organized, and delivered

The Writing Centre - StFX University, How did the audience respond to your presentation? What did you do well? What skills do you need to improve before your next presentation? Critical Reflection...

43The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 Remember… Present yourself positively every chance you get.

44The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005 References Arredondo, Lani. How to Present Like a Pro: Getting People to See Things Your Way. New York: McGraw-Hill Inc., Koch, Arthur. Speaking With a Purpose. 5th ed. Boston: Allyn Bacon, Pfeiffer, William S. Pocket Guide to Public Speaking. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2002.