1. ORAL PRESENTATIONS

2. Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit, the students should be able to:
Develop effective oral presentation skills.
Research, collect and organize presentation information in a logical format.
Deliver presentation on a given topic with appropriate visual aids, tone, pace, volume, pronunciation and body language.
Identify the strategies for improving oral presentations
Assessment Method: group and or individual oral presentation class assessment.
Performance Criteria: each group or individual students should be able to score at least 3.5 out of each of the marking rubric criteria.

3. Introduction Oral Presentations are important in every career field.
They help create an impression and/or persuade others.
Preparation is the key to successful oral presentations.
This week will equip you with the skills needed for an effective and a memorable oral presentation experience.

4. Different Occasions/Purposes for Presentations
Oral presentations may be to:
Report on training session attended
Welcome and introduce new staff or guests
Submit planning or budget proposals
Brief colleagues before a meeting
Explain a new procedure
Demonstrate new technology
Oral summary of a written report
ETC

5. Confident Speaker A confident speaker must:
Prepare thoroughly by establishing the purpose.
Analyze the audience.
Structure the material and visual reinforcement.
Rehearse the material.
The three main elements that would enable one to be a confident speaker are, therefore, preparation, practice and presentation.

6. Steps to a Successful Presentation: Preparation Stage
Determine the purpose of your presentation. The purpose may be to:
Inform
Analyse
Motivate
Entertain
Reassure
persuade
If topic hasn’t been assigned…
Choose a topic that will interest your audience.
You feel confident about.
Keep your audience’s age, gender and ethnicity in mind when choosing your topic.

7. Preparation Stage Contd.
Determine your audience. Things to know about your audience are:
Who will be attending and what is their level of seniority?
What is the audience’s knowledge of the subject?
Why are these people attending this presentation?
What is their occupational relationship to the speaker?
What is their level of education and training?
What information/techniques are likely to hold the audience’s attention and encourage a positive response?
Effective Presentations are tailored accordingly.

8. Steps to a Successful Presentation Contd.
Gather appropriate information through –
Colleagues
Libraries
Surveys: Interviews and Questionnaires
Internet
Etc.
Make out a sketch of your presentation.
Determine the order of slides
Create the presentation

9. Structuring the Presentation
Similar to an essay, a presentation also has an introduction, body and conclusion.
Start with an attention grabber/getter
Introduction:
Describe the purpose of the talk
Set out clear aims and outline key areas to be covered in the presentation.
Make introduction clear and easy to understand

10. Presentation Structure
Body:
Decide on a clear order of points
Include evidence.
Present facts and statistics clearly.
Inform audience when you are moving on to next topic.
Use visuals for support.

11. Presentation Structure
Conclusion:
Summarise main points
Have a memorable ending
Allow for questions
Timing Your Presentation
Manage time according to what has being allocated. Plan out time before you begin the write up.

12. Delivery Confidence matters Locate a familiar or supportive face
Preparation builds up confidence
Appreciate your current strengths. Don’t stretch yourself over much.

13. Creating Presentation Structure
Write each of the main points on a separate note - then shuffle them around until you have a coherent sequence.
Ensure the introduction is clear.
Presentation pattern should be logical.
Information should be in chunks or parts.
Conclusions show how everything fits together.

14. Scripts, Notes or Cue Cards
Some people can produce a speech at the drop of a hat, but most of us need some form of script.
A full script can be a great confidence builder but has the danger of sounding unnatural and loosing contact with the audience.
Notes with headings allow you to appear more spontaneous but there’s the problem of remembering.
Cue cards work with key words and phrases, provides freedom to move around – but again, relies on memory.
Identify the one that works for you.
However, reading is strongly not recommended.

15. Selecting and using Visual Aids
Why use visual aids?
Visual aids enhance remembrance.
Chalkboards and whiteboards are suitable for small, informal groups and are cheap
Flipcharts can be used with groups of up to 30 people, to record lists of ideas or information-also cheap.
Overhead projectors switch between various display styles but have limited view.
Slide projection and computer-based displays both add an air of professionalism to the presentation and are suited to large audiences but can be costly.
Make sure your chosen visual aid matches your needs and those of your audience

16. Using Visuals-Types
Visuals need to be relevant and appropriate. Types:
Charts and posters
Pamphlets and brochures
Pictures
Graphs and tables
Maps
Audio/visuals
Slides
PowerPoint
Objects and models
Demonstrations
White/ black board
Overhead transparencies
Photocopied hand-outs

17. Prepare and Practice
Spend a substantial time preparing for your presentation to avoid embarrassment.
Know the needs of your audience and match your contents to their needs.
Study your material thoroughly.
Put what you have to say in a logical sequence.
Ensure your speech will be captivating to your audience as well as worth their time and attention.
Practice and rehearse your speech
Use a tape-recorder and listen to yourself.
Videotape your presentation and analyze it.
Know what your strong and weak points are.
Emphasize your strong points during your presentation

18. Beginning your presentation
Think positive & take deep breathes to calm nerves.
Initially rest hands if they are shaking; Distribute weight evenly.
Rest eyes on all members of the audience.
Dress appropriately for the occasion, presenting the desired image to your audience.
Look pleasant, enthusiastic, confident, proud, but not arrogant.
Remain calm. Appear relaxed, even if you feel nervous.
Speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and show appropriate emotion and feeling relating to your topic.
Establish rapport with your audience; ensure your voice is loud enough to project to the back of the room.
Vary the tone of your voice and dramatize if necessary.
If a microphone is available, adjust and adapt your voice accordingly.

19. During Presentation Speak a little slower than you normally do.
Avoid turning back to your audience.
Do not read.
Use appropriate gestures.
Speak with conviction.
Speak to your audience and maintain eye contact.
Pause to allow your idea sink in.
Add humour where appropriate.
Ensure the proper working of the visual aids.
Know when to stop.

20. After the Presentation
Get prepared for discussions and questions
Some questions may be:
Information questions
Opinion questions
Clarification questions
Types of Comment
The audience may make comments to:
Express disagreement
Express doubt
Express interruption
Express persuasion

21. Conclusion Presentations are important aspects of every career and
should be made effective. Effective presentations
involve:
Being sure about your topic.
Being well prepared for your presentation.
Practicing your presentation to check time, content and structure.
A presentation will have an introduction, body,
conclusion and discussion.
Using visuals that support your presentation, not
overtake it.
Allowing members of the audience to ask questions.