How to give an effective presentation. Purpose Information Explain your topic, teach a process, describe a situation Persuasion Change an attitude,

GIVING A PRESENTATION

How to give an effective presentation

TOPIC SELECTION Purpose

Information Explain your topic, teach a process, describe a

situationPersuasion

Change an attitude, convince your audienceSituation/Occasion

Award ceremony, acceptance speech, preliminary remarks

ThesisStatement of the central ideaMessage focus

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RESEARCH Primary Research

InterviewsObservationsQuestionnaires

Secondary ResearchBooksMagazinesProfessional JournalsGovernment Publications Internet searches


RESEARCH

Documentation of SourcesAuthor’s credentialsTimelinessBiasBibliography


AUDIENCE COMPOSITION Diversity

Educational BackgroundLevel of ExperienceCultural BackgroundAttitudes and BiasesPrimary LanguageSpecial interests and beliefsDisabilities

Vision Hearing


AUDIENCE ATTENTION Focus

Introduction State your topic Draw in your audience

Simplicity Keep it simple Limit number of points Choose details carefully

Repetition Repeat your major points Summarize ideas


WRITING General Considerations

Limitations on amount of informationVariation of complexity of informationEmphasis on usefulness and relevanceFactual supportTransitions Internal summariesUse of analogies, definitions, examples,

illustrations, statistics


WRITING

IntroductionThesis statementConnection of topic to audienceOverview

BodyBackgroundLogical presentation of main pointsUse of supporting materials


WRITING

ConclusionReiteration of main pointsFinal summaryConnection to your audienceClosure


VISUAL AIDS

General ConsiderationsNumber of imagesFont style and sizeBackground colorsLength of textComplexity of designBack-upEquipment available on site


VISUAL AIDS

TypesGraphsChartsSlidesPicturesPowerPointHand-outsFlip charts


REVIEW AND EDIT Grammar and Spelling

Standard English/slang/colloquialisms

Clarity and Consistency

Smoothness of transitions

Logic

Accuracy

Sensitivity to ethical and personal issuesSchool for Professional Studies

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PREPARATION

Create notes/note cardsMain points to rememberNumber your notes; keep them in order

Anticipate possible questionsPrepare answers


PRACTICE Solo

GesturesPausesUse of visual aidsTime

With AudienceGesturesPausesUse of visual aidsTime


PRE-PRESENTATION Appearance

Dress appropriately

EquipmentMicrophonePodium

Glass of water Paper and pen Notes/note cards

Visual aidsComputer equipment


PRE-PRESENTATION Physical properties of location

LightingNoise levelSeating arrangements


DELIVERY Anxiety

NormalReduction

Be prepared Use additional energy positively Take deep breaths Keep sentences short Look for friendly faces Concentrate on subject Slow down Visualize good performance


DELIVERY

PresentationMake eye contactModulate pitch of voiceVary rate of speechCareful articulation and pronunciationUse of natural gestures


DELIVERY Question and Answer

Make note of questionRepeat for clarityTake a breath and think before answeringStay on messageAdmit if you do not know the answer

Offer to return answer Refer to another person as a resource


CRITIQUE Check audience reaction

Facial expressionsPosture

Ask trustworthy audience member(s)Ask for feedback

Make note of possible improvements


BIBLIOGRAPHY Alred, Gerald J., & Brushaw, Charles, T.,& Oliu, Walter E. (2006). The

Business Writer’s Handbook. New York: St. Martin’s Press.

Beebe, Steven A. & Beebe, Susan (2009). A Concise Public Speaking Handbook (Second Edition).. USA: Pearson Education, Allyn and Bacon.

Civiello, Mary.(2008) Communication Counts. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

DeVito, Joseph A. (2009). Essential Elements of Public Speaking. USA: Pearson Education, Allyn and Bacon.

Engleberg, Isa N. & Daly, John A. (2009). Presentations in Everyday Life. USA: Pearson Education, Allyn and Bacon.

Osborn, Suzanne & Osborn, Michael & Osborn, Randall (2008). Public Speaking Guidebook. USA: Pearson Education, Allyn and Bacon.

Provan, Drew (2009). Giving Great Presentations. Warwickshire, UK: In Easy Steps. School for Professional Studies

Copyright © 2012 Centenary College

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How to give an effective presentation. Purpose Information Explain your topic, teach a process, describe a situation Persuasion Change an attitude,