Lecture 8

Effective Presentations

Main Source: Adler, R & Elmhorst, J (2007) Communicating at Work: Principles and Practices for Business and the Professions. New York: McGraw Hill.

Making Effective Presentation (A) Developing & Organizing the Presentation (B) Verbal & Visual Support in Presentation (C ) Delivering the Presentation (D) Types of Presentation

(A) Developing and Organizing the Presentation    

Analyzing the Situation* Setting Goal & Developing the Thesis Organizing the Body* Planning the Introduction & Conclusion*

Analyzing the Situation   

Analyzing the Audience Analyzing Yourself as the Speaker Analyzing the Occasion

Analyzing the Audience 

The key audience members (young, old, children, business people)

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Their knowledge level Knowledge expected Their personal preferences (humor, straightforward) Demographic characteristics (sex, econ status, cultural background, age)

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Size of the group

Analyzing Yourself as Speaker 

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Your goal/aim (why you are speaking?) Your knowledge Your feelings about the topic (you can’t sell the product that you don’t believe in)

Analyzing the Occasion   

Facilities (room arrangement) Time Context

Setting Goal & Developing the Thesis 

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General goal (inform, persuade, entertain) Specific goal (outcome you are seeking) Developing thesis-key points

Organizing the Body  

Research to support the presentation Organize in a clear form (straight to the point, relevant material)

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Identify Main Points and Subpoints Choose the Best Organizational Pattern (chronological, cause-effect, problem solution)

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Planning the Introduction & Conclusion

Functions of the Introduction

(capture the listeners attention, highlight the aim & introduce your thesis, establish your qualification)

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Types of Opening Statements (Ask a question, tell story, present a quotation, jokes)

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Functions of the Conclusion (To review, appeal for action)

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Types of Closing Statements

(B) Verbal & Visual Support in Presentation 

Functions of Supporting Materials (Clarity, Interest, Proof)

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Verbal Support (Stories, Statistics, comparisons, Quotations, Citing your sources)

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Visual Aids (Types of Visual Aids & Media for Presenting Visual Aids)

(C) Delivering the Presentation    

Types of Delivery Guidelines for Delivery Question-and-Answer Sessions Speaking with Confidence

Types of Delivery Manuscript

Memorized

Impromptu

Guidelines for Delivery VISUAL Dress effectively Speak with confidence Get set before speaking Begin without looking at your notes Eye contact Stand & move effectively

VERBAL Short sentences Don’t emphasize mistakes Use proper vocabulary and pronunciation

VOCAL Speak with sincerity Speak loud Avoid disfluencies (ok, so, eh, um etc) Use pauses effectively

Q & A Sessions 

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When to Answer Questions (during/after) How to Manage Question (get start with your own Q/remark, clarify complicated question, address your answer to the entire audience)

Speaking with Confidence 

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Accept a moderate amount of Nervousness Rehearse your presentation Focus on your topic and audience

(D) Types of Presentation Informative Briefings Reports Training Explanation

Group Few members in group

Special-Occasion Speaking Welcoming guess/group Honoring a Person Presenting Award

Group work   

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A sales presentation A talk at a local high school A progress report to a management review board A training lecture Annual report to employees/board of directors