ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Preparation and Development

• The major components of communication are
verbal communication or oral communication
and non-verbal communication. Oral
communication is the process of expressing
ideas through the medium of speech and this
plays a crucial role in the life of students.
• Oral presentations have become a useful and
effective way to increase students' awareness of
communication skills. Thus, students'
presentations become an important element in
delivering positive learning experiences.
Improving the quality of presentation actually
improves the quality of thought, and vice versa.
• In an oral presentation, the audience sees the
speaker and hears him. Hence the standing
personality must corroborate the spoken words.
ADVERTISEMENTS: A speech on simplicity must
be accompanied by the same quality in the
speaker.
• An effective presentation makes the best use of the
relationship between the presenter and the
audience. It takes full consideration of the
audience's needs in order to capture their interest,
develop their understanding, inspire their
confidence and achieve the presenter's objectives.
• Speeches and presentations are difficult for most
of us.

• To prepare an oral presentations, following steps

should be taken.
1-SELECTION OF THE TOPIC
• Your topic may be assigned according to your
area of specialization.
• If you select a topic, consider
a) Your background and knowledge-area of
proficiency.
b) Your audience-interest, understanding and
appreciation.
c) The occasion.
2-DEFINING YOUR PURPOSE
• The amount of audience interaction varies from
presentation to presentation, depending upon your
purpose.
• Your purpose can be
a) To motivate or entertain
b) To inform or analyze
c) To persuade or collaborate

The most interaction occurs when your purpose is to

persuade people to take a particular action or collaborate
with them in solving a problem or reaching a decision.
3-ANALYZING YOUR AUDIENCE
• The nature of the audience affects your strategy for
achieving your purpose.
• Gear the content, organization and style of your
message to the audience’s size, background and
attitude.
• Ask yourself
Do they care about the issues you discuss?
How much do they already know about your
subject?
Do they respect your judgement?
• Points to ponder

a) Audience’s size and composition

b) Probable audience reaction
c) Level of audience understanding
d) Audience relationship with the speaker
4-PLANNING YOUR PRESENTATION

• Planning an oral message is similar to planning a

written message: you define the main idea,
construct an outline, estimate the appropriate
length and deciding a most effective style.
A)DEVELOPING A MAIN IDEA

• what is the man idea or theme that you want to

convey to the audience.
The main idea points out, how audience can
benefit from your message.
Look for a one/two sentence generalization that
links your subject and purpose to the audience’s
frame of reference, much as an advertising slogans
point out how a product can benefit consumers.
e.g. Reorganizing the data processing department
will lead to better services at lower cost
B) DEVELOPING AN OUTLINE

with a well crafted main idea to guide you, you can

begin to outline the speech or presentation.

Structure a short presentation like a letter.

Structure longer presentations like formal reports.

• Use a clear, direct organization to accommodate

your listeners limitations.
• Use an outline as your “script” but be prepared to
deviate in response to audiences’ feedback.
C) ESTIMATING LENGTH

• The average speaker can deliver about one

paragraph or 125 to 150 words, in a minute.

• Be sure that your subject, purpose and

organization are compatible with the time
available.
D) DECIDING ON THE STYLE

• Use a casual style for smaller groups and formal

style for larger groups or important events.
5-DEVELOPING FORMAL PRESENTATIONS
A) THE INTRODUCTION
• The introduction captures attention, inspires
confidence and previews the contents.
AROUSING INTEREST—connect the topic to the
listener’s needs and interest.
BUILDING CREDIBILITY—without boasting,
explain why are you qualified to speak on the subject.
People with high credibility are more persuasive.
PREVIEWING—let the audience know what lies
ahead.
B) THE BODY
• Limit the body to 4 or five main points.

EMPHASIZING STRUCTURE
• Help your audience follow your presentation.

By summarizing as you go along.

By emphasizing the transitions from one idea to
the next.
HOLDING THE AUDIENCE’S ATTENTION
• Make a special effort to capture wandering
attention by

Relating your subject to the audience’s needs.

Use clear and vivid language (short sentences,
familiar words).
Explaining the relationship between your
subject and familiar ideas.
C) THE CLOSE
• Close is almost as important as beginning because
audience’s attention peaks at this point.
• Devote almost 15% of your time to ending.
• The close should have a strong and lasting impression.
RESTATING THE MAIN POINTS
• Summarize the main idea, and restate the main
points.
ENDING ON A POSITIVE NOTE
• Make your final remarks enthusiastic and memorable.
• Leave audience with a satisfied feeling and a feeling of
completeness.
D)THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWER PERIOD
• Encourage questions throughout your speech if you are
addressing a small group, but ask a large audience defer
questions until later.

HANDLING QUESTIONS
• Keep your answers short and to the point.
• Don’t let any member of the audience monopolize your
attention or turn a question into debate.

“several other people have questions; I will get back to

you if time permits”.