Janet provides the following strategies and tips for students preparing an oral presentation:

• Refine your central idea by focusing on the following questions:

  • What is the  message of your speech?

  • What do you wish to accomplish?

  • What should your audience go away with?

• Introduction

  • Its twofold purpose

    • Grab attention (get it now or you never will)

    • Introduce the topic you will cover (as well as the organization and focus of your topic)

  • Grabs the audience's attention

    • Ask a provocative question

    • Tell a story

    • Arouse curiosity

    • Use a visual

    • Provide an incentive to listen

  • Rips

    • Relevant

    • Involved

    • Positive

    • Stimulates

  • Previews your presentation

    • Slowly and emphatically tell audience what will be covered

    • Tell them what you are going to tell them; tell them (in body); tell them again (in conclusion)

    • The last sentence of the introduction should be transitional. (Now I will proceed to the first point)

• Body

  • Choose your pattern

    • Logical progression

    • Time series

    • Compare/Contrast

    • Problem/Solution

    • Simple to complex

    • Inductive to deductive

  • Often the best point is left for last - as a clincher to the body

  • Suggested content  for each  focused topic (at least 2)

    • Statistics

    • Evidence

    • Quotes

      • Examples

      • Facts

      • Support

      • Data

• Conclusion

  • Summarize your main points

  • Review, highlight, and emphasize key points

  • What does this all mean (What main point do I want you to walk away with?)

  • Clincher   -   Close with impact, Be memorable

• Delivery

  • Extemporaneous (sounds like you're just having a conversation rather than stating a memorized script)

  • Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

  • Note cards

  • Practice your ideas - should not be word for word

  • It should sound like you're speaking and not reciting

• Enthusiasm, Enthusiasm, Enthusiasm

  • Look at your audience

  • Know your stuff

  • Speak slowly and expressively, take a deep breath

  • Practice, practice, practice everywhere

• What makes a great presentation?

  • Discovery

  • Metaphor (vivid)

  • Something for everyone

  • Personality, humor, ENTHUSIASM

• Style

  • Excitement & enthusiasm about your presentation

  • Posture, tone, don't lean

  • Radiate confidence

  • Don't confuse enthusiasm with loudness

  • Try not to pace, jiggle change, play with jewelry

• Questions

  • Anticipate questions (and practice answers)

  • Paraphrase the question (to make sure you have it right and that all heard)

  • Don't digress

  • Be honest (you may not know the answer)

  • Reinterpret loaded questions - do not engage in argument. Be remembered instead for your dignity, composure, and integrity.

• Difference between oral and written communication

  • Listeners have one chance to hear & can't reread if they get lost

  • Keep it simple

  • Repeat key insights

  • Be clear and focused

Study Questions What is the purpose of an introduction? How can one gain the audience's attention? What choices does one have in organizing the body of the talk? What is the purpose of a conclusion? How does one conclude a talk? How can you polish your delivery to look like a pro? How should you handle questions? How do oral and written communication differ?