Presentation SkillsPresentation Skills

Ch. 15, Slide 2

Preparing an Oral Preparing an Oral PresentationPresentation

Ch. 15, Slide 3

• Identify your purpose.• Decide what you want your

audience to believe, remember, or do when you finish.

• Aim all parts of your talk toward your purpose.

Preparing an Oral Preparing an Oral PresentationPresentation

Ch. 15, Slide 4

• Organize the introduction.• Get the audience involved.• Capture attention by opening with a

promise, story, startling fact, question, quotation, relevant problem, or self-effacing story.

• Establish your credibility by identifying your position, expertise, knowledge, or qualifications.

Preparing an Oral Preparing an Oral PresentationPresentation

Ch. 15, Slide 5

• Organize the introduction.• Introduce your topic.• Preview the main

points.

Preparing an Oral Preparing an Oral PresentationPresentation

Ch. 15, Slide 6

• Organize the body.• Develop two to four main points.

Streamline your topic and summarize its principal parts.

• Arrange the points logically: chronologically, from most important to least important, by comparison and contrast, or by some other strategy.

Preparing an Oral Preparing an Oral PresentationPresentation

Ch. 15, Slide 7

• Organize the body.• Prepare transitions.

• Use “bridge” statements between major parts (I’ve just discussed three reasons for X; now I want to move to Y).

• Use verbal signposts (however, for example, etc.).

• Have extra material ready. • Be prepared with more information and

visuals if needed.

Preparing an Oral Preparing an Oral PresentationPresentation

Ch. 15, Slide 8

• Organize the conclusion.• Review your main points.• Provide a final focus. Tell your

listeners how they can use this information, why you have spoken, or what you want them to do.

• Plan a graceful exit.

Preparing an Oral Preparing an Oral PresentationPresentation

Ch. 15, Slide 9

1. A promiseBy the end of this presentation, you will be able to . . . .

2. DramaTell a moving story; describe a serious problem.

3. Eye contactCommand attention at the beginning by making eye contact with as many people as possible.

Preparing an Oral Preparing an Oral PresentationPresentation

Nine Techniques for Gaining and Keeping Audience Attention

Ch. 15, Slide 10

4. MovementLeave the lectern area. Move toward the audience.

5. QuestionsAsk for a show of hands. Use rhetorical questions.

6. DemonstrationsInclude a member of the audience.

Preparing an Oral Preparing an Oral PresentationPresentation

Nine Techniques for Gaining and Keeping Audience Attention

Ch. 15, Slide 11

7. Samples/gimmicksAward prizes to volunteer participants; pass out samples.

8. VisualsUse a variety of visuals.

9. Self-interestAudience wants to know “What’s in it for me?”

Preparing an Oral Preparing an Oral PresentationPresentation

Nine Techniques for Gaining and Keeping Audience Attention

Ch. 15, Slide 12

Designing and Using Designing and Using GraphicsGraphics

Ch. 15, Slide 13

• Select the medium.• Consider the size of the audience

and the degree of formality desired.

• Consider cost, ease of preparation, and potential effectiveness.

Designing and Using Designing and Using GraphicsGraphics

Ch. 15, Slide 14

• Highlight the main ideas.• Focus on major concepts only.• Avoid overkill. Showing too many

graphics reduces effectiveness.• Keep all visuals simple.

Designing and Using Designing and Using GraphicsGraphics

Ch. 15, Slide 15

• Ensure visibility.• Use large type for transparencies

and slides.• Position the screen high enough

to be seen.• Be sure all audience members

can see.

Designing and Using Designing and Using GraphicsGraphics

Ch. 15, Slide 16

• Enhance comprehension.• Give the audience a moment to

study a visual before discussing it.

• Paraphrase its verbal message; don’t read it.

Designing and Using Designing and Using GraphicsGraphics

Ch. 15, Slide 17

• Practice using your visual aids.• Rehearse your talk, perfecting

the handling of your visual aids.• Practice talking to the audience

and not to the visual.

Designing and Using Designing and Using GraphicsGraphics

Ch. 15, Slide 18

Presentation EnhancersPresentation Enhancers

Ch. 15, Slide 19

• Overhead Projector• Cost: Low• Audience size: 2-200• Formality level: Formal or informal

Presentation EnhancersPresentation Enhancers

Ch. 15, Slide 20

• Flipchart• Cost: Low• Audience size: 2-200• Formality level: Informal

Presentation EnhancersPresentation Enhancers

Ch. 15, Slide 21

• Write-and-wipe Board• Cost: Medium• Audience size: 2-200• Formality level: Informal

Presentation EnhancersPresentation Enhancers

Ch. 15, Slide 22

• Slide Projector• Cost: Medium• Audience size: 2-500• Formality level: Formal

Presentation EnhancersPresentation Enhancers

Ch. 15, Slide 23

• Computer Presentation Slides• Cost: Low• Audience size: 2-200• Formality level: Formal or informal

Presentation EnhancersPresentation Enhancers

Ch. 15, Slide 24

• Handouts• Cost: Varies• Audience size: Unlimited• Formality level: Formal or informal

Presentation EnhancersPresentation Enhancers

Ch. 15, Slide 25

Overcoming Stage FrightOvercoming Stage Fright

Ch. 15, Slide 26

• Stomach

butterflies

• Pounding heart

• Shortage of breath

• Sweaty palms

• Dry throat

• Unsteady voice

• Trembling hands

• Wobbly knees

• Tied tongue

Overcoming Stage FrightOvercoming Stage Fright

Symptoms of Stage Fright

Ch. 15, Slide 27

• Select a familiar, relevant topic. Prepare 150 percent.

• Use positive self-talk.

• Convert your fear into anticipation and enthusiasm.

• Shift the focus from yourself to your visuals.

Ways to Overcome Stage Fright

Overcoming Stage FrightOvercoming Stage Fright

Ch. 15, Slide 28

• Give yourself permission to make an occasional mistake.

• Ignore stumbles; keep going. Don’t apologize.

• Make the listeners your partners. Get them involved.

• Just before you speak, practice deep breathing.

Ways to Overcome Stage Fright

Overcoming Stage FrightOvercoming Stage Fright

Ch. 15, Slide 29

Effective Telephone Effective Telephone CallsCalls

Ch. 15, Slide 30

• Making Calls• Plan a mini agenda.

• Use a three-point introduction: 1. Your name 2. Your affiliation 3. A brief explanation of why you are

calling.

• Be cheerful and accurate.

• Bring it to a close.• Avoid telephone tag.

• Leave complete voice-mail messages.

Effective Telephone Effective Telephone CallsCalls

Ch. 15, Slide 31

• Receiving Calls• Identify yourself immediately.

• Be responsive and helpful.

• Be cautious when answering calls for others.

• Take messages carefully.

• Explain when transferring calls.

Effective Telephone Effective Telephone CallsCalls

Ch. 15, Slide 32

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