Transcript Effective Oral Presentations

Preparing Effective Oral
Presentations
How to say what you mean!
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Andrew Kulanko
Professional Communication Program
Whiting School of Engineering-The Johns Hopkins University
Preparing Effective Oral Presentations
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Know your purpose
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Develop your message and main points
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Create strong organization
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Practicing your delivery
What’s Your Purpose?
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Inform
• Give a progress or status report (what you planned,
did, accomplished, what’s left)
--OR-
Persuade
• Convince listeners of your conclusions or point of
view (structure according to problem, approach,
results, conclusion, recommendation)
What’s Your Purpose?
Analyze Your Audience
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What do they know?
What do they need to know?
What are their expectations?
What questions might they have?
Preparing Effective Oral Presentations

Know your purpose
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Developing your message and main points
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Create strong organization
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Practice your Delivery
What’s Your Message?
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Clearly state bottom line
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Identify key information that supports
Bottom Line
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Line up helpful facts, anecdotes,
information
Preparing Effective Oral Presentations

Know your purpose

Develop your message and main points

Create strong organization
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Practice your delivery
Create Strong Organization:
3 Key Components
Opening
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Gets and focuses attention
Message and preview of main points
Body
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Logical presentation of main points or topics
and support
Closing
3.
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Summarizes message and key points
Opening
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Focus audience on message and structure
by providing
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Purpose of presentation
Personal credibility
Why the topic is important
Hook
Conclusion or bottom line
Preview of main points—roadmap
Body
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Limit 3 to 5 main points
Consists of facts, data, examples
Present information logically
• Chronological or sequential
• Most important to less important
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Include recommendations, if appropriate
Conclusion
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Re-states bottom line
May summarize key points
Identifies any unresolved issues
Explanation of what happens next
Urges to action
Calls for questions
Preparing Effective Oral
Presentations

Know your purpose

Develop your message and main points

Create strong organization
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Practice your delivery
Practice Your Delivery
Key Issues –
 Voice – control volume, rate, and variety
 Body – natural and appropriate gestures
 Face – eye contact with the audience
 Visuals – clear and readable
 Confidence – reduce fear and anxiety
Voice
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Speak loudly enough to be heard
Avoid speaking in a monotone
Vary the rate of speaking
Pause when appropriate
avoid “fillers”
Gestures
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Try moving around (avoid imitating a
statue)
Use hands to emphasize points
Avoid distracting mannerisms
Face
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Look at all sections of your audience when
speaking
Don’t speak to the ceiling or the floor
Don’t spend too much time looking at
projected slides
Let your facial expressions your interest
Visuals
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Clear and succinct (no lower than 24 point
type)
Don’t overcrowd slides
Use bullet format
Avoid poor color combinations Add
appropriate images, charts, artwork
Confidence
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Know your topic well
Practice mental imaging
Learn stress reduction techniques
• Deep breathing, mouth moist, familiarization,
movement, grounding
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Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse
Keys to Confidence
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Knowledge
• Know subject matter and apply effective oral
presentation principles
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Preparation
• Practicing delivery and obtaining constructive
feedback
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Experience
• Taking advantage of speaking opportunities
Conclusion
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Purpose: Know why you are there
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Message: Have something to say
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Organization: Structure your talk
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Delivery: Think conversation
Where to Get Help?
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Helpful web sites with articles, tips, and
tutorials on preparing oral presentations
• www.public-speaking.org
• www.toastmasters.org
• www.ukans.edu/cwis/units/coms2/vpa.htm
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Search for more links under “public
speaking” and “oral presentations”
Take the JHU course Effective Oral
Presentations