Presentation Strategies

Contemporary Topics 2
4th Edition
Ch 1:Using an Outline
P. 11
 Helps you organize ideas
 Helps your listeners follow

See the example in the textbook for the

structure of an outline

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Ch 2:Using Examples
P. 21
 Help your audience understand main
ideas
 Need to directly relate to the main idea

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Ch 3:Describing Sensory Details
P. 31
 Based on the senses (sight, hearing, smell…)
 They help them to focus listeners’ attention
 These details should be very descriptive
 Can appeal to senses and emotions

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Ch 4:Developing an Introduction
P. 41
 Good intro – tells listeners the structure
 Clearly state your main ideas
 Don’t give supporting details
 Your preview lets your listeners know what
your most important ideas will be, and the
order in which you will discuss them.
 (See book for examples.)

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Ch 4:Developing an Introduction
Parts of an Introduction
 Hook (see p. 71)
 Thesis Statement
 Preview

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Ch 7:Using an Attention-Getting Opener
P. 71
 Also known as a “Hook”
 Used to capture your listeners’ attention
 May include:
a surprising or amusing rhetorical question
 a surprising or amusing statement
 a quote
 a story
 Doesn’t quite state your topic, but “catches”
audience’s interest – makes them curious

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Ch 5:Moving from one point to the next
 P. 51
 Use transition words or phrases
 They signal to the audience where you are
in your speech
 Helps them follow your speech
(Unlike writing, they can’t see your paragraphs)
 A sentence or two transition is recommended.
 You can review where you have been, and then
preview where you are going (or ask a rhetorical
question.)

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Ch 6:Concluding your Presentation
P. 61
 Signal the start of your conclusion with a
transition word
 Conclusion has two parts:
 Summary: brief review of key information
 Rephrase your main points
 Final Remarks:
 May include challenge to change opinion or behavior, think
more about the topic, consider a famous quotation, a brief
audio or video clip
 Remember: Don’t include any new main ideas in
your conclusion
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Speech Outline
 Introduction
 Hook
 Thesis statement
 Preview
 Transition
 Main body Point 1
 Supporting details
 Transition
 Main body Point 2 (3, 4, etc.)
 Supporting details
 Transition
 Conclusion
 Summary
 Final Remarks
Contemporary Topics 2 10
Ch 8:Presenting with Visual Aids
P. 81
 Help your audience understand and remember
your ideas
 Make sure your aid is clear, uncomplicated, and
large enough to be seen
 Include the source information, if from the
Internet or printed publication
 Look at your audience, not your visual aid!

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Ch 9:Using Nonverbal Communication
P. 91
 Important to pay attention this
 Make your audience comfortable – smile as you
begin
 Vivid gestures
 Strong intonation
 Show your excitement and commitment
(enthusiasm)
 Maintain eye contact with your audience
 Pay attention to your posture – stand up straight
 Avoid distracting movements
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Presentation Notes
 Best to have notes in point form
 Less likely to read from them
 Suggestion: write your notes on cards
 Different card for each part of your speech
 Write clearly
 Highlight, underline, etc., key ideas
 Number your cards
 Write on one side only

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Practice Makes Perfect
 Prepare your speech ahead of time so that you still have
time to practice
 Practice while using your notes/note cards and visual
aids. Make sure they will work for you.
 Pay attention to gestures, rate of speech, intonation, etc.
 Time your speech
 Get feedback. You can record yourself, and evaluate
your presentation yourself. If possible, have someone
watch your speech and get that person’s comments.

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Ch 10:Persuading Your Audience
P. 101
 For some presentations, your goal will be to
persuade your audience.
In order to convince them: (in a problem/solution speech)
 Describe the problems you see
 Provide visual evidence
 Present plan for addressing these problems.
 Explain the benefits of your plan
 Use details to support your ideas
 (See example outline for format)

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Ch 11:Using Quotations
P. 111
 Suggestion: Use quotations from credible
sources
 Give credit to your sources
 This strengthens your presentation
 Makes your points more creditable/believable
 See book for suggestions on how to insert
a quote

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Ch 12: Answering Audience Questions
P. 121
 You don’t know what members of the
audience will ask
 Start by repeating or rephrasing the
question to make sure all of the audience
members has heard it.
 See examples in the book for how to do this.
 This also give you time to organize a
response.

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