The Oral Presentation: An Overview

Gilberto Berríos

Departamento de Idiomas

Universidad Simón Bolívar

April 28, 2003

The Biggest Problems

Before: Procrastinating

During: Stage fright

After: Fear of audience’s questions or comments

Our Purposes

To present an overview of the oral presentation process

To point out how the biggest problems can be overcome

Our Plan for Today

1. Before

2. During

3. After

The Iceberg Analogy

What we see

What you’ve worked

Before:Preparing the Presentation

1. Focusing

2. Structuring

3. Preparing visual aids

4. Rehearsing

Before:1. Focusing

Topic Audience Motivation Purpose Strategy

Before:2. Structuring

Outlining Keywords Transitions Expanding and summarizing

Before:3. Preparing Visual Aids

Necessity Clarity Visibility Simplicity

Before:4. Rehearsing

Visualizing Cheat-sheet Language forms Dictionary for pronunciation

During:5. Delivering the Presentation

Eye contact Voice and conviction Body language: posture, gestures English language Use of visual aids Zooming in and zooming out Sidetracking

After:6. Interacting With the Audience

Questions and answers Dealing with problem audiences

Final Comment

How can you apply the information given here today?

Let’s Review Our Plan

1. Focusing

2. Structuring

3. Preparing visual aids

4. Rehearsing

5. Delivering the presentation

6. Interacting with the audience

Remember the Biggest Problems?•Stop procrastinating: start

focusing, structuring, preparing visuals

•Forget stage fright: rehearse for confident delivery

•Enjoy audience questions, comments, and feedback

Thank you