how to give an effective presentation. purpose information explain your topic, teach a process,...

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

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RESEARCH

Documentation of SourcesAuthor’s credentialsTimelinessBiasBibliography

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AUDIENCE COMPOSITION Diversity

Educational BackgroundLevel of ExperienceCultural BackgroundAttitudes and BiasesPrimary LanguageSpecial interests and beliefsDisabilities

Vision Hearing

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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

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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

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WRITING

IntroductionThesis statementConnection of topic to audienceOverview

BodyBackgroundLogical presentation of main pointsUse of supporting materials

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WRITING

ConclusionReiteration of main pointsFinal summaryConnection to your audienceClosure

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VISUAL AIDS

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

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VISUAL AIDS

TypesGraphsChartsSlidesPicturesPowerPointHand-outsFlip charts

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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

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PRACTICE Solo

GesturesPausesUse of visual aidsTime

With AudienceGesturesPausesUse of visual aidsTime

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PRE-PRESENTATION Appearance

Dress appropriately

EquipmentMicrophonePodium

Glass of water Paper and pen Notes/note cards

Visual aidsComputer equipment

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PRE-PRESENTATION Physical properties of location

LightingNoise levelSeating arrangements

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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

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DELIVERY

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

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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

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CRITIQUE Check audience reaction

Facial expressionsPosture

Ask trustworthy audience member(s)Ask for feedback

Make note of possible improvements

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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

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