Class 7 notes

oral presentation: An informative or a persuasive speech delivered using only notes and visual
aids to guide the speaker’s performance
• As with writing, need to keep audience in mind and use organizational strategies to
develop effective oral presentations
• Deliver your message for easy comprehension and retention—simple structure, specific
purpose, make main idea clear
• Make sure your listeners know what to do next

Essential to keep your audience’s needs, expectations, and perspective in mind if you hope to
connect with them and achieve your purpose
Level of audience assessment depends on whether you are speaking to colleagues, visitors, or
outsiders
Analyze by asking:
•Why are they there?
•What do they expect?
•What is their attitude?
•Will decision-makers be in audience?
•How can you counter resistance?
Are there tensions within the audience?

Analyze the situation by asking:

• What is the purpose of your presentation? What underlying concern has necessitated it?
• What level of formality does your organization expect in oral presentations?
• In what surroundings will you make your presentation?
• Is the setting formal or informal?
• How large is the room? Will it be equipped with a microphone or PA system? What are
the acoustics and seating arrangements like?
• What are the visual-aid facilities, and how are they placed relative to the audience?
• How much time has been allotted for your presentation? How long will listeners expect
you to speak?
• Is your presentation the prime attraction (the only presentation to be given) or will there
be presentations from other speakers?
• How does your presentation tie in with the actions or topics of other participants?
• What will happen before and after your presentation?
Setting:
Formal or informal?
Equipment, acoustics, seating?
Time (how long and when during the day)?
• Simple structure is best — keeps audience from getting lost
• 3 to 5 main ideas
• 3 common structures:
• Logical
• Build your points sequentially
• use signpost words (my first point, my next point) to guide listeners

• Narrative
• Tell a story
• Provides way to ground statistics and other abstract info
• Must be well told, interesting, and relevant to objectives
• Formal
• 3 parts:
• Intro: Tell them what you will say
• Body: Say it
• Conclusion: Tell them what you said
• Repetitive to aid with comprehension and retention