Oral Presentations

Oral Presentations: Components

 Speech

 Verbal Delivery

 Non-Verbal Delivery
The Speech: Planning a
Presentation Strategy
 Determine the purpose
 Analyze the audience and situation
 Choose the main ideas for your message
 Research your topic thoroughly
 Organize the information/data and write a
draft
 Plan visual aids
 Rehearse the speech; revise as necessary
Identify Purpose
 First, decide what you want audience to
believe, remember, or do when finished

 Then, aim all parts of speech to address

purpose
Determine the Purpose
 Informative Speeches
– Policies; training sessions; report results etc.
 Persuasive Speeches
– Proposals; national sales meetings etc.
 Goodwill Speeches
– After dinner speeches; receptions etc.
Analyze Audience and Situation
 Preliminary Analysis
– Where is your audience, now, in relation to
your topic?
– What level of knowledge do they have?
– How will they respond to the message?

 Analysis during presentation

– Look for feedback!!!
Organize Information and Draft
 Introduction
– Plan a strong opening
– Opener must catch attention and create interest
– Preview main points
 Body
– Present material to achieve specific purpose
– Focus on a few main points
– Use headings followed by facts
– Try to avoid too much detail!!!
– Tell audience what you have to say
Organize and Sequence Main
Ideas
 Time, e.g. show chronology of first sign of trouble
to present
 Component, e.g. present sales report organized by
divisions or products
 Importance, e.g. describe operating problems
arranged from most important to least
 Criteria, e.g. evaluate equipment comparing each
model to criteria
 1-2-3, e.g. discuss three main aspects of topic
Organize Information and Draft
 Summary
– Plan a strong closing to provide final focus
– Relate closing to opening
– Review main points
– Concentrate on what you want audience to
believe, remember, or do
– Use signposts
• “In closing…”
• “One last point…”
Plan Visual Aids

 Proper design
– Present topics that vague and/or confusing
– Emphasize material
– Make material more memorable
– Keep audience’s interest
Plan Visual Aids
 Forms/Devices
– Overhead projector
– Flipchart
– Write-and-wipe board
– Video monitor/Computer slides
– Handouts
Plan Visual Aids
 Select medium carefully
– Consider the size of audience and level of
formality
– Consider cost, ease of preparation, and
potential effectiveness
Effective Use of Visuals
 Highlight main ideas
– Focus on major concepts only
– Avoid overkill: too many visuals reduces
effectiveness
– Keep all visuals simple
 Ensure visibility
– Use large fonts
– Ensure all audience members can see
Effective Use of Visuals
 Enhance comprehension
– Give the audience a moment to study visual
before discussing it
– Paraphrase its message
 Practice using visuals
– Rehearse speech, perfecting handling of visuals
– Talk to the audience not the visual
Rehearse and Revise
 Easier to think than to say
 Practice builds confidence
 Imagine audience in front of you
 Review visuals; mark notes
 Anticipate and prepare for questions
 Stop at allotted time; cut and revise
Methods of Delivery
 Extemporaneous

 Manuscript reading

 Memorization

 Impromptu
Verbal Delivery Tips
Vocal Behaviour
 Pitch
 Rate/speed/pace
 Volume
 Pronunciation/articulation
Non-Verbal Delivery Tips
Physical Behaviour
 Posture – Open Body Position
 Movement
 Move to hold attention
 Move to rid of nervousness
 Move to indicate transition
 Move to increase emphasis
Non-Delivery Tips
 Eye contact
 Facial expressions and appearance
 Gestures
 Types: emphasis, pointing, rejecting, &
describing
 Tips: vary gestures, avoid continuous gestures,
watch timing, & adapt to audience
Nine Techniques for Gaining and
Keeping Audience Attention
 A promise
– “By the end of this presentation you will…”
 Drama
– Tell a moving story; describe a serious problem
 Eye contact
– Command attention by making eye contact with as
many people as possible
 Movement
– Leave lectern area; move towards audience
Nine Techniques for Gaining and
Keeping Audience Attention
 Questions
– Ask for show of hands, rhetorical questions
 Demonstrations
– Include member(s) of audience
 Samples/gimmicks
– Award prizes to volunteers; give samples
 Visuals
– Use a variety
 Self-interest
– Audience will ask, “What’s in it for me?”
Overcoming Stage Fright
 Symptoms of Stage Fright
– Sweaty palms
– Stomach butterflies
– Pounding heart
– Short breath
– Dry throat
Overcoming Stage Fright
 Controlling Stage Fright
– Select a familiar topic; prepare 150 %
– Use positive self-talk
– Convert fear into anticipation and enthusiasm
– Rehearse talk
– Request a podium or lectern
– Precheck equipment
– Use a pointer
Overcoming Stage Fright
 Controlling Stage Fright (cont’d)
– Breathe deeply before speaking
– Approach audience with confidence and
enthusiasm
– Shift focus to visuals
– Give permission to make an occasional mistake
– Ignore stumbles; keep going; don’t apologize
Overcoming Stage Fright

 Controlling Stage Fright (cont’d)

– Make listeners partners; get them involved
– Move during presentation