DEVELOPING A PRESENTATION

and improving your delivery

Content adapted from:

Tanka, J., and Baker, L. (1990). Interactions II. A listening/speaking book. New York: McGraw Hill.Koch, A. (1992). Speaking with a purpose (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

PART I: FOCUSING ON THE CONTENT AND SEQUENCE OF THE PRESENTATION

ANALYZE YOUR AUDIENCE

Before choosing or exploring your topic, you should be able to find out what kind of information your listeners might find interesting, useful, or necessary. Consider the following:

Background informationCurrent situationWants and needsKnowledge of the subject

MEET SPECIAL GUIDELINES

Make sure you are aware of:

Due date Time limits Other guidelines (any other requirements)

CHOOSE A TOPIC

Apply strategies that help you make your decision:

Brainstorm topics of your interest

Decide which one is more suitable for your audience and for the nature of the presentation

EXPLORE YOUR TOPIC

Apply strategies that help you think of ideas related to your topic:

Brainstorm and list key words related to your topic for a period of 5-10 minutesDo some freewriting for a period of 5-10 minutesWork with clustering

After you have done any of the exercises above, cross out the ideas that do not seem to fit and spend five more minutes generating new ideas.

ORGANIZE YOUR IDEAS

The main and secondary ideas of your topic may be sequenced and related through:

Grouping and use of subtitles

AND/OR

Outlines

The purpose of an introduction is to:

Attract your listeners’ interest

Preview the content

DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE INTRODUCTION

DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE INTRODUCTION:

ATTRACT YOUR LISTENERS’ INTEREST

Relate your topic to your listeners’ concerns: You might explain how you (through your presentation) can help them achieve a goal, solve a problem, or improve their lives.

Tell an anecdote that relates to your topic. Ask your listeners one or more questions. Use a quotation from an expert. Offer an interesting or surprising fact, opinion,

or statement.NOTE: You should avoid beginning with: “The

subject of my presentation is…,” or “I’m going to talk to you about…”

DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE INTRODUCTION:

PREVIEW THE CONTENT

After getting your listeners’ attention:State your topic clearly.Preview the order of the main ideas.

NOTE: Be brief and to the point. You should never use the introduction to apologize to the audience for anything—for being nervous, for not being prepared, or for not being an expert on the subject.

DEVELOP A STRONG CONCLUSION

You must avoid surprising the audience by suddenly announcing “That’s all,” or “I guess I’m finished.” Instead:Signal that your are about to finish the presentation.Make concluding comments. *Thank the audience.Ask whether the listeners have any questions.

*Use one of the following in your concluding comments:Summarize the main points presented.Remind listener of the importance of what you have said.Predict future consequences of what you have described.Ask your listeners to take appropriate action.

PREPARE NOTE CARDS

Decide if you will use note cards. If so, write them.

Use standard cards or make them with cardboard.

Use them unobtrusively, unless you are reading a direct quotation or complicated statistics.

Make sure notes are legible. Avoid too much detail. Write only key words and

phrases. Highlight, circle, or underline words you want to

emphasize during the presentation.

EXAMPLE NOTE CARD

(2)

(the first…strenghthens)

Collateral circulation—wider—new branches

Dr. Fox (number-size) Steven McKain

12 million know/don’t visual aid

PART II: FOCUSING ON DELIVERY

PRACTICE THE SPEECH 1

Allow ample time for practice. Before rehearsing, make sure that:

Your presentation is “content ready.” You have finished the manuscript (if needed)

and the note cards (if you will use any). You have all the correct vocabulary in English

for what you need to say. You have checked and registered the

pronunciation of all the new words you will have to use during your speech.

PRACTICE THE SPEECH 2

1. Begin by practicing the meaning and pronunciation of new words until you feel you can remember and use them appropriately.

2. Practice delivering the your speech from 2 to 5 times. Go through the entire speech during each practice. If you hit a trouble spot, don’t stop and start over.

3. Always practice with the same outline, manuscript, or note cards.

4. Rehearse as if you are talking to your intended audience. Ideally, have a speaker of English listen to you and make comments on delivery.

5. Do not try to deliver your speech the same way each time you practice it. Spontaneity is an important characteristic. Delivering a memorized speech the same way each time could inhibit your vocal variety.

6. Do not coordinate specific gestures with the exact wording of your speech. A planned or stilted gesture is worse than no gesture at all.

7. Do not go over the speech in your head; practice it aloud with the same volume you plan to use in delivering it.

8. Practice the speech with any visual you plan to use.

9. If you can video record your practice, do it. Be critical and objective when evaluating yourself.

OVERCOMING STAGE FRIGHT

Prepare your speech carefully. Practice your speech adequately. Develop a positive mental attitude about

speaking. Keep in mind that it is natural to be nervous about doing anything important.

Be alert both mentally and physically. Before speaking, boost your self-confidence by

saying to yourself, “I’ll do a good job!” “I am well prepared!” “My audience will enjoy this!”

Go through a few stretching and breathing exercises prior to speaking.

Look for friendly faces in the audience. Listen carefully to the speakers who precede

you. If you can relate your speech to theirs, you will demonstrate security to your audience.