The Three Vs of an Oral Presentation

n 22 January 1998 Hugh Phillips of HP Training Works offered a three

hour UTS workshop on presentation skills. While "Speaking with Class" focused on oral presentation in a general sense, most of the material was directly applicable to university lecturing.

Mr Phillips explained that his method relies on three key communication prin-ciples, the verbal component, the vocal, and the visual. The following summary was adapted from HP Training Works material, with permission. Verbal or What you say ''You've got to organize to realize" • Use the START plan to prepare the text

Select a Topic . Theme

state for yourself the core idea and objectives (what do you want the audience to think/feel/do?)

Arrange . arrange information (main and sub points, examples) arrange method (sequence for presenting points) arrange visual aids and their sequence

Rule of Three prepare body of text first prepare conclusion second prepare introduction last

Try It rehearse prepare confidence cards obtain feedback

• Introduction: grab attention, give au-dience a reason to listen, indicate topic

• Closing: summarize, restate objective, end with positive human touch.

Vocal or How you say it "You've got to be believed to be heard" • Vary the pitch (one octave range) • Used different power levels (loud,

quiet), practice voice projection • Vary the pace (135 to 165 words per minute) . • Use pauses for emphasis and transition • Be aware of the personality profile your

voice suggests: decisive, humble, en-thusiastic, knowledgeable, etc.

Visual or What you do while you are speaking ''You always get back what you project" • Establish eye contact • Use gestures effectively, avoid distract-

ing mannerisms • Be aware of staging (where you stand or

move to, lighting, etc. • Use visual aids selectively, prepare

them carefully, keep them simple.

from the UofA publication Teaching and Learning Exchange, Vol. 5, No. 3, p. 4, April 1998

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