GXEX1406

Thinking and Communication Skills

Oral Communication
Oral Communication : Benefits
Oral comm skills benefits students
Academically
Interpersonally
Future careers
Participation in class discussion make students
more involved in self learning
Easier to give oral presentation, interact with
instructors
Employers seek applicants with excellent oral comm
skills
GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 2
Oral Communication
Involves expressing and sharing ideas &
information as well as influencing others
through verbal symbols (non-written)

Purpose
Inform
Persuade
Entertain/amuse

GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 3

Oral communication situation
Public speaking
Interpersonal communication

Meetings

Small group communication

Talking on the phone

GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 4

Oral communication
assignments
Informative presentation / speeches
(informal/formal) impromptu/planned
Persuasive/influence appeal(sales,
motivational, presentation, appeals for policy
changes)
Debates / Panel discussion /interviews
Press conference
Creative/aesthetics performances
(storytelling)

GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 5

Oral presentation : delivery
Manuscript

Memorization

Impromptu

extemporaneous

GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 6

Oral presentation : impromptu
speaking
Impromptu Speeches : little or no preparation
4 steps to organize your thoughts quickly
State the point/question you are responding
State the point you want to make
Use whatever support you have (statistics/
examples/ testimony)
Summarize your point

GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 7

Oral presentation: suggestions
for impromptus
Quickly jot down an outline
Try to remain calm

Making strong eye contact with the audience

Concentrate on speaking on a clear,

deliberate pace
Use signposts (first, second,
then,next,finally)

GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 8

Effective oral presentation 9 steps
Determine general purpose : inform/ persuade/ entertain/amuse
Content
Organization
Delivery of messages
Analyze the audience
Determine specific purpose
Research the presentation
Organize and outline the presentation
Prepare visual aids **
Rehearse **
Deliver **
Self assess **

______________________________________________________
** will be covered in detail in week 3 during Presentation
Skills Topic

GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 9

Oral communication: planned
speech/presentation

Making a speech is like

making a hamburger.
Top of bun = appetising introduction.
Each layer of the bun = tasty aspect of your topic.
bottom of the bun = conclusion - holding the burger together.

GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 11

Oral communication : speech outline
Introduction
Attentiongetting statement : a question/anecdote/story etc
Thesis statement : specific purpose of speech/presentation
Preview statement : overview of all main points
Body
Firstmain point:
A subpoint : 1 sub-subpoint ; 2 sub-subpoint
B subpoint : 1 sub-subpoint ; 2 sub-subpoint
Second main point
A subpoint :1 sub-subpoint ; 2 sub-subpoint
B subpoint 1 sub-subpoint ; 2 sub-subpoint

Conclusion
Summary statements review all the main points
Concluding statement a closing statement that ends your
presentation smoothly

GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 12

Tips to manage oral presentation
apprehension
Prepare thoroughly
Speak about a familiar topic

Realize that youre not alone

Focus on getting the msg across

Use positive visualization

Practice relaxation techniques

Use visual aids

practice

GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 13

 Speech Assessment Sheet

Big Plus:
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
Improvement Needed:
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
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So of the Dos
Gestures & movement
Moderate amount of movement
Vocal variety
Tone, rate, pitch, volume, pronounciation,
articulation, appropriate use of pauses
Eye contact & facial expression
Make speaker more believable, trustworthy
To gauge audience feedback
Convey speakers feelings, attitudes, emotions

GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication 15