1. Oral Communication “It’s just a conversation.’
Dianne Garrett
Business Communication, MGT309
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Hi. I’m Dianne Garrett, your MGT309, Business Communication professor. This presentation series is on oral communication, more specifically, public speaking in presentation formats. The purpose is to build your comfort and your skills in speaking in front of others.
Oral communication is everywhere everyday, and it’s not just about what you say, it’s about HOW you say it too. View the presentation on non-verbals for even more details about the physical delivery of a message
In business, there are multiple opportunities for speaking up in public – meetings – both formal and informal, training events, sales presentations, company presentations, marketing or education videos, and more. These communications can be scripted (as I have done in these videos), they can be memorized, extemporaneous (which means planned and no notes) and impromptu (in the moment speaking).
Let’s get started.
Writing that Works (2010). Oliu, Brusaw, & Alred

2. While Upfront and feeling FEAR, we have to…
Be verbal.
Remember what we wanted to say
Intentional in our body movements
Mindful of the each audience member
Mindful of the group energy
Aware of the distraction in the room and not affected by it.
Emotional ability to speak the control needed
Mindful of time
All at the same time.
Being upfront is challenging A LOT going on at once. Have you ever tried to learn to hit a tennis serve? Your racket is to be in the right place in the right angle; your body is to be in the right place; you need to have the ball ready; you have to know where your opponent is, and on the list goes on. The same is true for the public speaking experience. There is quite a lot going on in your mind and body and in the environment all the while others are watching and expecting to learn from you.
Let’s talk about these things so that we can advance our understanding and therefore better our public speaking performance.
All at the same time,
You are to deliver specific content in a specific order with your appropriate stories.
You are to be intentional in your facial movements and your body movements instead of creating distractions.
You are to be mindful of the individuals listening to you. Watch their face and movements.
You are to be mindful of the group listening to you. There is group energy as well as individual energy.
You are to be watchful for distractions in order to control the room. And, in this watchfulness, you cannot be distracted by the distraction. If you see someone sleeping in your talk, you can’t take it personal or it will affect your delivery.
You are to keep a constant check on your emotions and the energy you are putting out in the room.
Keep an eye on time – people don’t mind if you end a little early, they do mind if end late.
Whew…all this is going on at once. That is why we are scared. Unconsciously we know we have much to do in the one moment. And this knowing puts us on alert.
Well, good news is it can be handled.