Presentation Skills CC1HO1 Week 5

Outline of the lecture class Planning Preparation Message Media Delivery Common PowerPoint mistakes

A. Planning Understand the brief. The objectives of the talk? – Read carefully, discuss and agree on, specifically what, you are being asked to do. The objectives of the talk? The main points you want to make. A rough draft Brainstorm

The Presentation Setting objectives Consider the requirements of the audience, what will they gain? What are your objectives? Get the audience to agree with your views? Give information? Explain something?

B. Preparation Audience - who are the members? How many will be at the event Understanding - what is their knowledge about the topic you will be addressing? Demographics - what is their age, gender, educational background, etc.? Interest - why will they be at this event? Who asked them to be there?

Preparation Cont. Environment - where will I stand when I speak? Will everyone be able to see me? Needs - what are the listener's needs? What are your needs as a speaker? Customized - how can I custom fit my message to this audience? Expectations - what do the listeners expect to learn from me?

C. Message Structure Style The message refers to EVERYTHING a speaker does or says, both verbally and non-verbally: Structure Style

a. Structure 3 main sections: Introduction Developing your argument Conclusion

1. Introduction Welcome your audience Identify yourself and topic State objectives Give outline of what will be covered

2. Developing your Argument Consider the time available for your presentation – the structure you use may vary depending on the time available As your presentation slot will not be long, you will probably want to state your chosen topic at the beginning, then provide supporting rationale

3. Conclusion Summarise the main points discussed Emphasise the key arguments Ask the audience if they have any questions Answer questions from audience, taking into account the time available Thank the audience

Presentation Content Try to make it Interesting To the point Clearly understood Appropriate for the audience Right length for the time available Achieve your objectives

b. Style formal informal

D. Media Transparencies/slides Power point slides Video projection/projector handouts

How to Convey Your Message Visible Use a reasonable size font and a typeface which will enlarge well Clear Slides should contain the minimum information necessary Simple Visually simplify using design, colour, or overlays

What Are Visuals? Graphs Charts Maps Photos Drawings Images models Video/film Objects

E. Delivery Speak clearly- don't shout or whisper - judge the acoustics of the room Say what you are going to say Say it - remember that "listeners" listen only 25 to 50% of the time Say what you’ve said - repetition often suggests importance Deliberately pause at key points

Elements during Delivery Tone of voice Emphasis Content Humour Speed Pronunciation and Pitch Visuals

1. Tone Consider the statement “What are you doing?” It can be said with a harsh tone and sound like a rebuke It can be said with a soft tone and sound like a caring query.

2. Emphasis Consider the statement “What are you doing” Try using emphasis on the bold word: What are you doing?

2. Emphasis (Contd.) Focuses attention on the action Implies disbelief/suprise as to what is being done Suggests the person is at fault Focuses attention on the action. Combining emphasis and tone makes messages easily understood

3. Content Actual words are important. Set them at the correct level for the listener Avoid technical words, particularly if you are not sure of their meaning Try to ensure that your words cannot be misunderstood, no ambiguity

4. Humour Can be a useful way of maintaining the listener’s attention BUT Can also risk the loss of credibility Not everyone has the same sense of humour May risk offending someone

5. Speed Can be used to aid emphasis and structure to create anticipation build up momentum before an important point a pause can also highlight and aid the listener in absorbing a point a pause can infer deliberateness and thought ‘Um’ and other noises are not pauses

6. Pronunciation and Pitch Read difficult words aloud before you have to speak in public Try to avoid using words you are not sure how to pronounce Pitch is a combination of tone and loudness it tends to change when people get irritated or angry A speech with no change of pitch sounds very boring

7. Visuals Keep visuals simple Consider colour coordination Use large enough type for audience to read at a distance Do not stand in front of the thing you want the audience to see Speak to the audience, not the visuals

Before Delivery Rehearse your presentation. To yourself at first and then in front of some colleagues.

E. Common PowerPoint mistakes People tend to put every word they are going to say on their PowerPoint slides. Although this eliminates the need to memorize your talk, ultimately this makes your slides crowded, wordy and boring. You will loose your audience’s attention before you even reach the bottom of your...................................

Continued) ..........first slide.

2. Many people do not run spell cheek before theirs presentation – BIG MISTAK!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing makes you look stupid than spelling errors.

Too many Bullet Points Avoid Excessive Bullet Pointing Only Key Points And Your Key Messages Will Not Stand Out In fact Term ‘Bullet Points’ Comes From People Firing Guns At Annoying Presenters

Bad colour schemes Clashing Background and font colours can lead to: Distraction Confusion Headache Vomiting Nausea Loss of Bladder Control

Practice makes perfect Practise your presentation - preferably in front of a friendly audience Time your presentation keep adapting it until you can do it effectively in the time available Try to appear confident as you do it – even if you don’t feel confident

Other Points to Remember Rehearse Eye contact Posture Gestures Inflection Movement Nerve control

Presentation deadlines The 1st presentation is in week 6 on your progress for your group work (unmarked) and follows on every week The main final presentation is in week 11, and is of your learning object itself Make sure both you and your presentation are ready for it

Finally ..., Enjoy yourself - The audience will be on your side and want to hear what you have to say!