Oral communication

Oral communication

According to the University of Virginia, "oral communication is the effective interpretation, composition, and presentation of information, ideas, and values to a specific audience." Oral communication describes any type of inter-action that makes use of spoken words, and it is a vital, integral part of the modern business world.

"Knowing the content of the functional areas of business is important, but to give life to those ideasin meetings or in solo presentations demands an effective oral presentation. "The ability to communicate effectively through speaking as well as in writing is highly valued, and demanded, in business, " According to Herta A. Murphy and Herbert W. Hildebrandt

Oral communication: Significance

Communication is used daily to talk to friends, make business proposals and pass legislation. It is the exchange of messages between a sender and a receiver. Effective communication is the ability to send a message and have it be understood in its entirety. Oral communication is used in business to make deals, sell products and train employees.

Types of Oral communication

The types of oral communication commonly used within an organization include staff meetings, personal discussions, presentations, telephone discourse, and informal conversation. Oral communication with those outside of the organization might take the form of face-toface meetings, telephone calls, speeches, teleconferences, or videoconferences.

Conversation management skills are essential for small business owners and managers, who often shoulder much of the burden in such areas as client/customer presentations, employee interviews, and conducting meetings.

Effectiveness of Oral Communication

For oral communication to be effective, it should be: Clear Relevant Tactful in phraseology and tone Concise, and informative. Presentations or conversations that bear these hallmarks can be an valuable tool in ensuring business health and growth.

Unclear, inaccurate, or inconsiderate business communication, on the other hand, can waste valuable time, alienate employees or customers, and destroy goodwill toward management or the overall business.

Oral Presentations

The public presentation is generally recognized as the most important of the various genres of oral business communication. The first step in preparing a public speech or remarks is to determine the essential purpose/goal of the communication. Business presentations tend to have one of three general purposes: to persuade, to inform or instruct, or to entertain.

The purpose is to include the main ideas in the presentation. These ideas should be researched thoroughly and adapted to the needs of the audience. The ideas should then be organized to include an introduction, a main body or text, and a summary or conclusion

The introduction should grab the listener's interest and establish the theme of the remainder of the presentation. The main body should concentrate on points of emphasis. The conclusion should restate the key points and summarize the overarching message that is being conveyed. Visual aids are an important component of many oral presentations. Whether they are displayed on chalkboards, dry-erase boards, flip charts, or presented using a slide projector, overhead projector, or computer program, visual aids should be meaningful, creative, and interesting in order to help the speaker get a message across.

Once the presentation has been organized and the visual aids have been selected, the speaker should rehearse out loud and revise as needed to fit time constraints, cover points of emphasis, etc. A good oral presentation will include transitional phrases to help listeners move through the material, and will not be overly long or technical. Professional and gracious presentation is another key to effective communication

Use the event as an opportunity to promote good will. Avoid complaints, criticism, or controversy. These will alienate the audience and destroy your credibility quickly. Instead, talk about what the audience wants to hear. Praise your host, honor the occasion, and compliment the attendees. Radiate success and optimism. Oral presentations can be delivered extemporaneously (from an outline or notes); by reading from a manuscript; or from memory.

The delivery of effective oral presentations requires a speaker to consider his or her vocal pitch, rate, and volume. It is important to incorporate changes in vocal pitch to add emphasis and avoid monotony. Speakers should be careful not to add extraneous words or soundssuch as "um, " "you know, " or "okay"between words or sentences in a presentation.

Nonverbal elements such as posture, gestures, and facial expression are also important factors in developing good oral communication skills. "Your outward appearance mirrors your inner mood. "Thus good posture suggests poise and confidence; stand neither at rigid attention nor with sloppy casualness draped over the podium, but erect with your weight about equally distributed on each foot."

Interpersonal Oral Communication

Interpersonal oral communication is the exchange of words between two individuals. This form of communication is commonly seen between friends, co-workers and within families, but is not limited to people who know one another. The purpose of interpersonal communication is to build and maintain relationships. Effective interpersonal oral communication will encourage, educate and inspire. Interpersonal oral communication is the most effective when one is able to predict what the other person will understand.

10 Principles For Better Oral Communication

Design a dynamic format than a static one. Keep your outline clear and simple. Oral design should be oriented to time rather than space. Emphasize main ideas by placement and reiteration. Use carefully worded transitions as you move trough the presentation.

Plan carefully for a combination of inductive and deductive movement. Use language best suited to the ear, not the eye. Plan the introductory segments carefully. Plan the closing segments of the design carefully. Plan the whole design from the audience point of view.

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