`PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION STUDENTS’ LEARNING GUIDE

Topic 4: THE ORAL PRESENTATION

INTRODUCTION

PREPARING A SPEECH OR ORAL REPORT

Some students and professionals do not like the idea of speaking in public, whether in front of
small or large groups. Just the thought that they will be facing people already makes them jittery. However,
this is a normal part of life. When you become professionals, there will always be a time that you will face
an audience. It may come as an unplanned activity in which you will be forced to speak impromptu or it may
be a previously planned event that has given you sufficient time to prepare. Whatever the case may be, you
need to exude some degree of confidence as presentation of oral reports or speeches can be very
threatening.

As students, you should take seriously any opportunity that comes your way and that requires you
to deliver a talk. For example, in class, there will be instances when you will be asked to make an oral
report of a topic assigned to you. You may be asked to deliver a speech as a classroom activity. Though
you may find these tasks difficult, you need to take them seriously as the will certainly benefit you when you
become professionals.

Being able to speak effectively in front of an audience will always be an advantage. Some
professionals become most sought-after speakers because of their good oral communication skills. They
are invited to give keynote speeches or give lectures on a select topic in conferences or give trainings in
seminar-workshops. Sometimes, they are also tapped to give a sales pitch or a product presentation.
Likewise, they are asked to deliver inspirational or motivational speeches during graduation ceremonies or
in a similar communication setting.

So how do you prepare for this difficult task? In Unit 1 Lesson 3 you already learned some tips from the
topics “General Principles of Effective Communication” and “Principles of Effective Oral Communication.”
These principles are related to public speaking. Consider the following so you can render an effective
speech and be a good speaker:

1. Audience- Know the profile of your listeners. It is important that you know who will listen to you-
their age, gender, educational background, religion, economic status, and interests. Also, know
how much the audience knows about the topic. That way, you can avoid discussing points that
would run contrary to their beliefs and practices and thus prevent miscommunication and
misunderstanding. Further, you can introduce new things for t hem to learn and not simply repeat
things that they may have already learned from previous speakers. Know how to read the posture
and gestures of your audience members as these will signal to you what kind of an audience they
are. Be ready to face different kinds of audiences as there may be some who are questioners,
hecklers, disrupters, hostile, or unresponsive/bored audiences. Know how to deal with any
unpleasant incident or conflict with your audience and always stay in control of the situation.
 2. Logistics- It is something basic or essential for every speaker to know who is organizing the event.
Know who will be introducing you and who will be speaking before and after you. That way, you will
be able to tie up the earlier presentation with your own resulting in a more coherent presentation.
You may even give the audience an idea as to what the next talk is going to be.
2.1. Venue- The venue is equally important. Locate the lights and if you have movable visual aids,
know where to position them. As a speaker, you should also know how to position yourself and
how you should move in front to get the attention of the listeners. Remember to work on your
posture and avoid bad habits when speaking. Do not block the view of your visual aids as you
present them. Employ a balanced posture by not standing on one leg only. Do not lean on any
object that will give support to your weight. These postures give the impression that you lack
confidence and authority.
2.2. Facilities- Ask beforehand about the pieces of equipment available for you. These facilities should
match the presentation aids that you will use. If there is no available projector, find a way to have
one especially if your visual aids are highly complex. If there are any electrical problems or
technical glitches you encounter, know how to trouble-shoot them.
3. Content of report/speech/lecture- Since you have been invited as a speaker, the organizers might
have sought you because of your reputation as an effective speaker. If the purpose of the event is
to inform just like in a convention, conference, or a training-seminar, it is expected that you are able
to contribute new information. If the purpose is to entertain, your speech should be lighthearted,
amusing, and lively. If the purpose is to persuade, your presentation should sound convincing
enough. Note, however, that any communicative event may have more than one purpose but there
is always a more dominant one.

So how do you prepare for the big event? The following are some tips for you:

1. Read a lot. Research on the topic assigned to you. With the fast-changing times, it is certain that
there are new developments that have occurred in the field. As a speaker, you should be kept
abreast of these new developments by reading a lot.
2. Prepare your oral presentation with an introduction, body, and a conclusion. There are different
techniques to open and close your presentation: (a) using a startling or shocking statement; (b)
beginning with a question; (c) using a quotation; (d) narrating an anecdote or a story; € singing a
line from a song; and (f) presenting statistics. The strategy you will employ should match the topic
that you will present. For example, you cannot sing a happy song if the topic has something to do
with a tragic event. Remember that your introduction and concluding parts will leave a lasting
impression on your audience.

As regards the body of your presentation, emphasize the major points you wish to make backed up
with supporting statements to further elucidate your main points. Arrange your thoughts in a logical
sequence so your listeners can easily follow through your talk. You can do this by employing transitional or
cohesive devices to make your ideas coherent.

3. Rehearse by practicing aloud and getting the feedback of those who will act as your audience
during the rehearsal stage. You may invite your family or friends to listen to you while rehearsing.
 Their comments and suggestions can be useful for you to improve your presentation before the ‘big
day.’

For the introduction, use gambits such as:

a. I would like to talk about…

b. I believe that the topic is…
c. Let me relate a…

For the conclusion, use gambits or expressions such as:

a. Summing up the points I discussed earlier…

b. To summarize…
c. In conclusion…
d. To conclude…
e. Finally…
f. To end my talk or speech…

Then restate the highlights you mentioned. You may also challenge the listeners to act on the ideas you
presented if the purpose of the oral presentation is to convince or persuade.

4. Use technology. In this day and age, most speakers use technology. Technology forms part of their
audio and visual aids. Through these tools, listeners can easily follow the discussion because they
not only hear but also see the highlights of the presentation. A disadvantage, however, is that
some speakers rely on their visuals that when technical problems arise, they are caught off-guard
and their presentation goes awry.

Technology tools should be used sparingly. Visuals should be utilized only to enhance your
presentations. Thus, do not copy and paste on the slides what you are to say and then simply read them
verbatim. It is important that you only use key words in your slide presentation. Pictures that will represent a
concept are also encouraged. The same is true with graphs, tables, charts, maps, quotes, and important
passages and sayings.

DELIVERING THE REPORT/SPEECH/TALK

Now that you have prepared your report/speech/talk, you are ready to make your oral presentation.
You have spent a great deal of time reading, researching, and writing this oral output so you should also do
your best to deliver it confidently.

When you deliver your report, speech or talk, make use of both the verbal and non-verbal code. In
Unit 1 Lesson 2, you already learned that effective communication calls for the blending of the two codes.
These two are always linked together. While the former is important, the latter is equally essential as it
gives emphasis to a striking thought or idea.
 1. Paralinguistic cues- Subsumed under this category are facial expression, posture, gesture, and
movement. For facial expression, the eyes and eye-to-eye contact are very important. There is the
saying which states: “The eyes are the window to the soul.” This means that by establishing eye
contact or through gazing, one can detect the emotional state of a person. For example, it is
difficult to hide your real emotions and fake your feelings when people look straight into your eyes.
When you are happy, your eyes become bigger without you being conscious about it. When you
are sad, worried or anxious, your eyes become smaller as you raise your eyebrows and make
them furrow.

Posture, on the other hand, refers to the speakers’ stance. How speakers carry themselves during
the presentation will show whether or not they possess credibility. It is important that as speakers deliver
their messages, they project an air of confidence so they can get the attention of the listeners and win them
over to their side.

So how do you execute a correct posture? Simply stand comfortably with your feet at least six to
eight inches apart, with one foot over the other. Your weight should also rest on the balls of your feet and
your hands should hang naturally at the sides. Ask yourself if you are comfortable enough with the way you
stand.

Another important variable is gesture. Speakers who employ gestures in their speeches or reports
are more convincing than those who do not. Gestures are used to make a point more emphatic. However,
they should be used only for important points raised as they can become distractive when used often.
Gestures abound so a speaker should know how to create variety.

Finally, there is movement. Whereas gestures are made by some parts of the body such as the
hand and the arm, movements is made by the entire body (e.g., movement of the head, shoulder, feet,
etc.). Swaying one’s body from left to right, side to side, front to back, or pacing from one side of the
stage/platform to the other, can be exhibiting a negative non-verbal cue. A speaker should know how to
move on stage so that his/her movement will not be distracting to the audience.

It is to be noted that while dress or attire is not considered as a paralinguistic cur, it is still classified
as non-verbal. One way to attract the attention of the audience is by dressing up properly. As a speaker,
you should look good and pleasing to the eyes of the listeners. Dress appropriately but do not overdo it as
may create a gap between you and the audience. You should be well-groomed with your hair neatly-
combed and your shoes well-polished. Pieces of jewelry or fashion accessories should also be used
conservatively.

2. Prosodic features- When making a presentation, there are features that you need to observe.
When you speak, aim at delivering your message clearly through intelligible and comprehensible
pronunciation. You need to articulate the sounds clearly by paying attention to how you move your
lips, tongue, and teeth. An aspect of articulation is assimilation. It means blending the final sound
of a preceding word with the initial sound of the following word. Consider the examples below:

To each his own the pros and cons

 To each izown the prosend cons
The splendour in the grass for a while
Thus splendour in the grass fora while

Try reading the examples above. Blend the sounds. Do you think you were able to achieve
assimilation?

Finally, note that successful communication depends on prosodic features such as

intonation, tone, stress, and rhythm. Pauses on phrases and sentences are likewise prosodic features.
While it is impossible to imitate or sound like Americans or the British who use English as their native
tongue, try to at least approximate them. If the listeners cannot understand what you say because of
the rate or speed by which you speak, do it more slowly.

PRESENTING IN GROUPS

The earlier discussions apply to both individual and group presentations. However, when making a
group presentation, everyone should be a team player and members should not compete with each
other. Note that since you are working with a team, there should be coordination among you.
Guidelines should be strictly followed especially if it is a group tasks. Planning is of the essence so that
your presentation is coherent and does not become fragmented. As you prepare your presentation,
note the following tips:

1. Assign a specific task to each group member.

2. Divide the work accordingly. Each should know the part assigned to him/her as well the time
allotted to each.
3. Decide on a strategy as to how you will begin and end your group presentation.
4. Prepare your audio-visual aids to hold the attention and increase the interest of the listeners.
5. Practice on your own. Then come up with a schedule acceptable to the team in which you can
rehearse as a group.
6. Get feedback from your teammates as to how you can still improve your presentation in particular
and the presentation of the group in general.
7. As individual and group presenters, think of possible questions that may arise after the
presentation. If you cannot think of an answer, seek the help of your groupmates.
8. As individual and group presenters, respond to questions effectively during the question time. If it
happens that nobody from the group knows the answer, be honest to admit that you will find time to
research on the matter.

OVERCOMINGG ANXIETY OR STAGE FRIGHT

Many speakers become tense when making small and big presentations. This is normal.
Becoming nervous, only shows that you care about your presentation. You are concerned about whether
the audience will pick up something from your talk. Note that a little amount of nervous tension is needed if
you aspire for an excellent performance. At the beginning, you may experience anxiety, but as you go
along with your presentation, your nervous tension will ease up.

Eugene White and Claire Henderlinder (1956) stated that: “we do not actually fear the process of
speaking as such but a negative response from the listeners.” This is indeed true. What people actually fear
is not the process of speaking but the negative response, comment, or feedback from the listeners.

There are ways by which you can overcome stage fright. One way is by preparing thoroughly for
your presentation. It is important that you know about the topic and that you know more than your listeners.
Another way is to practice. The more you practice or rehearse, the more confident you become

Stage fright then can be minimized. It is not also a negative feeling all the time. Learn how to
convert this social fear into something positive so that you can aspire for top performance.

PAULINIAN ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

ENGAGING, TRUSTWORTHY TEAM BUILDERS & MENTORS, WHO:

1. Invite open, non-judgmental communication with others, listening closely to the intent and spirit of their
words and offering clear, constructive responses in return;
2. Clarify at the outset the substance and internet of all agreements and commitments made, making every
effort to fulfill them and supporting others to do the same;
3. Publicly explain the purpose and potential benefits of all group endeavors, enlisting explicit agreement and
support for them from participants before proceeding;
4. Initiate and develop jointly beneficial and sustainable projects with colleagues in which plans and
responsibilities are equitably shared, reliably carried out, and honestly evaluated by all

PAULINIAN AFFIRMATION

As a Christ-centered Paulinian, I am an Engaging, Trustworthy Team Builder and Mentor, fostering community
through active collaboration.

LESSON 3: THE ORAL PRESENTATION

LEARNING OUTCOMES: During the learning session, you should be able to:

1. Deliver effectively the introduction and conclusion of your oral presentation to create lasting
impressions;
2. Employ vocal and physical factors, eye contact, and presentation aids for effective deliver; and
3. Critique an oral presentation.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Task 1: COMPREHENSION QUESTION. Instruction. Check your understanding of the input by answering
the following questions:

1. Why is it important to analyse the audience and know about the logistics involved when making an
oral presentation?
2. How important are the prosodic features when delivering a talk, speech, or report?
3. How do you solve the conflict arising from a group presentation among members who are not team
players?

Task 2: KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE AUDIENCE . Instruction. Assume that you are going to speak before
an audience composed of professionals on a perennial and relevant topic, for instance, “Smoking.” Find out
as much about your audience by answering the following questions:

1. Who is likely to attend your talk?

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2. What is their background (education, profession, age range, gender, etc.)?

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Task 3. THE ORAL PRESENTATION. . Instruction: Choose a topic that interest you and later deliver the
introduction and the conclusion in class. Write the introduction using any of the following techniques as an
opening or a beginning of your speech:

1. Startling statement
2. Question
3. Statistics

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Then, write the body of your speech

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Finally, write the conclusion using any of the following techniques:

1. Quotation
2. Anecdote, story, illustration
3. A challenging statement

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3. Why do you think they will come?

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4. How will you convince them to stop their smoking habit?
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Task 4. DEALING WITH PRESENTATION MISHAPS. Instruction. You have been invited to speak before a
group of faculty. You are a good speaker but due to numerous speaking engagements, you were not able
to attend to the details of the event. You arrived at the venue and found out that there were more people in
the audience than you expected and you only brought a few handouts. Moreover, you brought the wrong
flash drive which does not contain your slide presentation.

Form yourselves into four groups and analyse the situation. Think of a means to handle the
situation properly and present your solution to the class. Assign someone from the group to do the
reporting. Use the space below for your notes.

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PROCESSING:
 1. In activity 1, you learn the importance of audience and logistics involved in making the oral
presentation, its prosodic features when delivering talk, speech and report and also ascertain
conflict or issues in a group presentation with inactive members.
2. In activity 2, you learn how to know your audience interest and background as one of the duties of
an effective speaker. Knowing their background and interest will guide the speaker to relate
examples to their respective disciplines and convince them to believe of your statements.
3. In activity 3, you learn how to write introduction and conclusion as opening in a form of questions,
statement or statistics and concluding statements in a form of quotation, anecdote, story,
illustration and challenging statement of your speech for oral presentation.

FORMATION:

Giving effective oral presentation can influence the minds of the audience or listener. Once the
audience is affected by the speech; therefore, the speaker is effective. Even how good the speaker is, he or
she must be reliable and efficient of the information, open-minded, consistent and honest of his or her
commitment of work.

SYNTHESIS:

1. When preparing a report or speech for oral presentation, make a profile first of your audience and
the logistics involved. i.e. venue and facilities. Then read up and research on the topic so you can
write an effective report, speech, or talk.
2. When making your oral presentations, pay attention to the paralinguistic cues and prosodic
features of the language. Whereas paralinguistic cues involves facial expression, posture,
gestures, and movement, prosodic features include intonation, tone, stress, rhythm, and pause.
3. When making a group presentation, follow strictly the guidelines so you can come up with a good
performance. Be a team player so that the individually assigned parts cohere with each other.

ASSESSMENT: PEER ASSESSMENT. Instruction. Assess the oral presentation of your seatmate using
the chart (Mohan et al., 2008) below.

Oral Presentation Evaluation Chart

Speaker:________________________________________________________________________
Topic:__________________________________________________________________________

Specific Evaluation
General Evaluation A B C D E
Content Well-chosen, interesting material

Clear, definite purpose and theme

Careful selection of details

 Organizatio Attention-getting introduction
n
Logical arrangement of ideas
Effective conclusion
Delivery Mental, physical, social poise
Effective visual aids
Clear, distinct speech

Effective audience contact

Meaningful gestures
Appropriate attire
Comments:

Evaluator:

REFLECTION:

 What I have LEARNED this week that has helped me do all aspect of this better?
 What I have DONE this week that has made me better at doing all aspects of this?
 How can I IMPROVE at doing all aspects of this is?

ASSIGNMENT: Instruction. Watch a formal debate on Youtube and answer the following questions:

1. As a student, how do you find engaging in debates?

2. In what instances have you found yourself debating on issues with other people?
3. Share your experiences with the whole class.

EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES.

Form yourselves into two groups and view an oral presentation from Flinders University in
Youtube. Write a critique as regards its effectiveness by paying attention to the following:

1. How the speaker started his/her report

2. The non-verbal code used by the speaker
3. The overall impact of the presentation on the listeners

REFERENCES

Floyd, K. (2012). “Interpersonal Communication.” New York, The McGraw-Hill Companies

Madrunio, M. & Martin,I. (2018). Purposive Communication Using English in Multilingual Contexts.”
Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.
Padilla, M., Dagdag, L., & Roxas, F. (2018). “ Communicate and Connect! Purposive Communication.”
Malabon City, Philippines: Mutya Publishing House Inc.

3G Elearning FZ LLC (2014). “Basic Communication Skills.” UAE, 3G Elearning FZ LLC

Prepared by:

MR. ALVIN J. SUMAMPONG, MAENG