Public Education

Introduction to Communication
 Introduction to Communication
I. Introduction to Communication
A. Images
• Capture in Your Mind the Image of a Chair
• A Chair is a Fairly Simple Concept. Yet, as You Can See, Even in a Small
Group Like ours the Word Conjures up Very Different Images.
• This Should Give You Some Idea of What Can Happen With Fire Safety
Information as it is Presented During Presentation or While it is Read in
Printed Information.
 Introduction to Communication
I. What It Means To Communicate
A. Communication Defined
• Webster's Dictionary Defines it as, “A Process By Which Information is
Exchanged Between Individuals Through a Common System of Symbols,
Signs, or Information”.
• Another Definition is “To Transmit Information, Thought, or Feeling so That
it’s Satisfactorily Received Or Understood”.
• An Even Simpler Definition Says: “To Communicate is to Make Known”.
 Introduction to Communication
B. How Learners Retain Information
• 10% (read)
• 20% (Heard)
• 30% (Seen)
• 50% (Seen and Heard)
• 70% (What We Say)
• 90% (What We Say While We Are Doing)
 Introduction to Communication
III. Education Loop Components
A. Three Loop Components
1. Stimulus
– This is The Message; A Presentation Of The Information.
2. Response
– This is the Audience Reaction to the Message, or Stimulus.
3. Feedback
– The Instructor Must Decide If the Audience Response is Correct and Either
Reinforce it if the Response is Correct, or Re-teach it of the Response is
Incorrect.
 Introduction to Communication
B. Completing the Loop
• This is Accomplished Through the Use of Good Questioning Techniques.
 Introduction to Communication
IV. Question Technique
A. Speaker Initiated Questions
• Overhead
– Put out to the Entire Group; A General Question.
• Direct
– Asked of a Specific Person.
• Rhetorical
– Doesn't Really Require or Desire a Direct Answer.
• Relay
– Send a Question From the Audience Back to the Audience.
 Introduction to Communication
B. Audience Initiated Questions
• Be Sure to Leave Time for Questions.
• Encourage Questions with Both Your Body Language and the Tone of
Your Voice.
• Answer Questions Briefly and Directly.
 Introduction to Communication
C. Five Methods Of Instruction
1. Lecture
2. Demonstrate
3. Conference
4. Group Discussions
5. Role Play

* Remember That it is Necessary for an Instructor to Understand That People

Use Many Types of Communication, and They Communicate in Both Verbal
and Non-verbal Ways. It is the Challenge of the Public Fire Educator to Direct
all Communications so that They are Clear and Positive.
 Public Education

Presentation Techniques
 Presentation Techniques
I. Introduction to Oral Communication
A. Nervousness and Public Speaking
• Don't Worry, it is Very Normal. Even the Best of Speakers Get Nervous
Before They Make a Presentation.
• In Fact, a Study Showed That 41% Of Americans Place Speaking Before a
Group as Their Greatest Fear.
 Presentation Techniques
B. Preparing a Presentation
• Know Your Audience!
• Presentation Considerations
– Average Age of Group
– Sex (All Male, All Female, Mixed)
– Size of Group
– Religion
– Racial, Ethnic, or Cultural Background
– Group Membership or Commonality- Rotary Club; PTA; Homeowners
Association
– The Audiences’ Reason for Being There
– Is the Meeting a Special Occasion
– Time of day
 Presentation Techniques
B. Preparing a Presentation Cont’d
• You Must Learn To Adapt Any Presentation To The Needs Of Your
Audience.
• Try to Become Familiar With the Location of Your Presentation.
– What is the Layout of The Room?
– Can the Room be Rearranged?
– What Kinds of Audio Visual Equipment Does the Location Have?
– Can the Temperature in the Room be Controlled?
– Are There Restrooms?
– Are There Tables, Comfortable Chairs?
 Presentation Techniques
II. Speech Preparation
A. The Three Basic Parts of a Speech
1. Introduction
– States the Topic and Purpose of Presentation
2. Body
– Introduces Supporting Ideas
3. Conclusion
– Summarizes The Presentation
* An Easy Way to Remember the Three Crucial Parts of a Speech is to
Say:
– Tell'em What Your Gonna Tell'em
– Tell'em
– Tell'em What You Told'em
 Presentation Techniques
B. Introduction
• Should Get the Attention and Interest of the Audience
– Tell the Audience Why Your Topic is Important, Use Examples That Affect
Them
• Relate the Topic to the Audience
– For Example, Tell a Parent Group That More Pre-school Age Children Suffer
Burns Than Any Other Age Group
• Be Positive - Never Negative!
– For Example, Never Apologize for Anything During the Introduction. It Sets a
Bad Tone Right at the Beginning
 Presentation Techniques
C. Body
• The Facts!
– Determine the Main Points You Want to Cover by Writing Clearly Stated Goals
and Objectives
• Each Main Point Should:
– Focus on a Single Idea
– Be Clearly Worded
• Your Main Points Should Be Supported By Various Types of Information
That Illustrates Your Point
– Practical Examples
– Stories
– “What if” Scenarios
– Statistics - Keep Them Simple
– On the Job Experience
 Presentation Techniques
C. Body Cont’d
• During The Body, You Must Remember to Include Opportunities for
Feedback From the Audience
• A Confused Look Will Indicate That Your Information is Not Clear or That it
is Not Being Understood By Your Listeners
• A Bored Audience Will Yawn, Look Around the Room, Squirm in Their
Chairs, Watch The Clock, Etc.
• Be Sure to Keep an Eye on the Time When Planning Your Presentation
 Presentation Techniques
D. Conclusion
• The conclusion should:
– Signal the End of a Speech is Near
» Use Phrases Such as: " In Conclusion,' "One Last Thought,' "In Closing Let Me Say,"
“Let Me End By Saying”
– Reinforce the Main Ideas, Summarize Your Speech
– Allow Time For Questions
– Thank the Audience For the Time and Attention
– Do Be Careful Not to Conclude and Conclude. . . . .
– Don't Back out the Door While Your Saying Good Bye
 Presentation Techniques
III. Presentation Techniques
A. Effective Presentation Techniques
• Keep Your Presentation Specific
• Gear the: Presentation to the Audience
• Develop a Goal and Objectives for Your Presentation and Stick to Them
• Select Audio Visuals to Enhance and Complement Your Presentation
• Have a Good Outline to Follow
• Never Read from a Script
• Become Familiar With Your Topic
• Appearance is Important
• Be Enthusiastic and Motivated
• Be Creative!
• Use Gestures
• Maintain Eye Contact With the Audience
• Have a Sense of Humor
• Be Honest
• Pay Attention to Your Voice and What it Sounds Like: Volume, Rate,
Pauses, Pitch
 Presentation Techniques
A. Effective Presentation Techniques Cont’d
• Avoid Distracting Mannerisms
– Chewing a Pencil or Toothpick
– Pacing the Floor
– Frowning or Glaring
– Playing With Chalk
– Using the Same Words Over and Over (Um, Okay, Alright)
– Cleaning or Biting Your Nails
– Jingling Coins or Keys in Pocket
– Watching the Clock
– Blowing Your Nose While Talking
• Practice, Practice, Practice!!

* The Rules For a Successful Presentation are Simple: Look Good! Smell
Good! Sound Good! Be Good!