PURPOSES CHAPTER 3: Oral Presentation Skills 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 ORAL PRESENTATION Its the most challenging thing when it comes to presenting in front of your classmates.
Presentation : delivering speech, presenting a proposal, emcee-ing, etc. 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 PRESENTATION INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING STAGES: Oral Presentation Planning and Preparation Visual Aids Practice Overcoming Stage Fight Knowing the Audience Delivery 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 ORAL PRESENTATION (CONT.) Delivering an oral presentation requires certain skills and ability to impress people in order to make them listen to you. Before planning and organising your speech, you should first determine the type of speech you want to deliver. Then you decide the topic that you may want to present. 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 CHOOSING THE TOPIC It is advisable for you to choose a topic that is not only of interest to your audience but also which you posses knowledge and with which you are familiar so that you can talk about it confidently. 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE It is always good to do an audience analysis first to find out more about your audience before you start planning your speech. These could be by looking at their age group, gender, educational background, profession or even their social status. This information should be available from the organisers or you might have to conduct a survey if necessary. 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 BRAINSTORM IDEAS FOR TOPICS Before deciding on a particular topic, use five minutes to brainstorm some possible topics either on your own or with a group of friends. List the topics that may be of interest. Write your topics down on a piece of paper. DO NOT evaluate their suitability at a moment. What is most important is to gather as many ideas as possible first. 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 NARROW DOWN YOUR TOPICS Once listed possible topics, narrow down by answering the following questions: 1. Which among all these topics would I be most interested in? 2. Do I posses any background knowledge on this topic? 3. Do I posses any relevant experience that I could share with my audience? 4. Would it be easy to gather reading materials on the topic? 5. Do I have sufficient time to do some research on the topic? 6. Would I be able to find or prepare suitable visual aids to support my presentation? 7. Would I be able to make the topic interesting for the audience? 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 PLANNING A SPEECH Your speech should be clearly divided into three distinct parts:
1. Introduction
1. Body
1. Conclusion
23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 PLANNING A SPEECH (CONT.) THE PURPOSE OF THE SPEECH: Decide what you wish to speak about Decide what is the primary purpose of the speech. Do you wish to: (a) instruct and inform (b) convince, persuade, influence or motivate, or (c) amuse and entertain
23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 PLANNING A SPEECH (CONT.) What are you trying to achieve What are the objectives of your speech Know your audience (see separate topic below) Know the venue 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 INTRODUCTION The introduction is most important as your audience will accept your message in the first 30 - 90 seconds, or they will switch off and ignore the rest of the speech.
It is usually brief and simple, will take around 10% to 15% of the whole presentation time.
23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 INTRODUCTION (CONT.) In the introduction you (a) introduce the theme (b) set the scene (c) establish a direction (d) gain the attention of the audience and get them involved.
The introduction should be short, positive, easy to handle, generate interest and expectancy and you must feel comfortable with it. It should create a vivid image and possibly an image that the audience can identify with.
23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 INTRODUCTION (CONT.) DO NOT repeat the title, read the introduction, apologize, explain, complain or make excuses.
Ideas for an attention gaining opening: Use a question related to audience need. Pay a sincere compliment Use a quotation. This reinforces your opinion. Remember to state the author.
23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 EFFECTIVE INTRODUCTION: 4 ASPECTS: Attention Grabber Attract the audiences attention. Reveal Topic State your topic and purpose clearly. Relevanc e Statemen t Tell them why they should listen to you talking about your topic. Preview of Main Points Tell them what you will talk about in your speech. 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 BODY The body of a speech is the most important and longest part. It should contain the main points of the speech with supporting details and examples. Hence, the body usually takes up about 75% to 80% of the whole presentation time. For a short presentation of about eight minutes, there should be at least three main points. 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 BODY (CONT.) Each of these points should be well developed and supported with evidence, reasoning, examples, illustrations, explanations, elaborations, etc. Organise points clearly and systematically with good use of transition markers. 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 BODY (CONT.) Transition markers are words or phrases that help you link your ideas smoothly and allow the audience to follow your presentation. The usually occur between: a) The introduction and the body; b) The main points within the body; and c) The body and the conclusion. 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 BODY (CONT.) The body should flow naturally from the introduction and lead the audience to the conclusion you wish to accept. Be sure to stick to your theme. DO NOT try to cover too much ground - three or four main points are sufficient.
23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 BODY (CONT.) Use stories, anecdotes, examples to keep the audience interested. Pause after each major point, example or illustration for effect and to allow the audience to consider your point. Remember the audience likes to be entertained as well as informed, convinced or motivated. Try to include some humour, if appropriate to the topic.
23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 CONCLUSION The conclusion of a speech will take about 10% of the whole presentation time. This is the part that most audience look forward to. It should contain the following aspects: Summary of Main Points Memorable Closing Statement 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 CONCLUSION (CONT.) Summary of Main Points Summarise the main points identified in the speech. Memorable Closing Statement Provide a memorable closure with impact. 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014 CONCLUSION (CONT.) Keep your conclusion short and simple. Once you have signalled that you are about to end, briefly summarise your main points one lat time and end your presentation appropriately with a memorable closing statement. 23 MAY, 2014 UB00702 SEMESTER 2 2013/ 2014