Effective Oral Presentations

Think & Write...  List at least 3 things each that a speaker should keep in mind...  while preparing an oral presentation  while giving an oral presentation

Introduction Or... “What we plan to do today.”  Introduce ten points for preparing and delivering an oral presentation about technical material  Whole-Part-Whole organization  Emphasize that presentation is for the audience

1. Know your audience  Know what your audience already knows  If it’s your boss, know what’s necessary for further selling  Try to determine the mindset

2. Know your subject Or... “Put it in an outline.”  Outline... to organize your thoughts  Outline…to construct a coherent argument  Outline… to ensure you tell a story that has a clear purpose and result  SHARE THE OUTLINE!

3. Draw a picture  1 picture > 1000 words!  Should be pleasing to the eye  Avoid excessive words and equations  Use handouts  Put derivations in handouts  Use to support points

4. Show and tell  Use physical samples if possible  Technical audiences are “touchy-feely” oriented

5. Say it again, and again. “Whole–Part–Whole”  Introduction (Tell them what you’re going to tell them)  Body (Tell them)  Summary (Tell them what you told them)

6. Practice, practice, practice  The more you do it, the easier it gets  Don’t memorize, know material know material  Timing is very important important  Eliminate “um’s” and “you know’s” and “you know’s” Practice Practice Practice Practice Practice Practice PracticePracticePracticePractice

7. Be ready to answer questions  Goal is to entice audience to want to understand and know more  Set aside time for questions  Watch audience for unasked questions  Answer question to best of your ability, but if you don’t know the answer  say so and offer to find the answer

8. Let your body do the talking  Show confidence and interest  Maintain eye contact  Watch your hands  Personal appearance appearance (pride) (pride)

9. Don’t forget the details  Is the equipment there?  How does the equipment work?  Does it work with your hardware/software?

10. Listen  Must listen closely with sensitivity  Try to understand where other disciplines are coming from

Summary What we’ve done today.  Discussed ten points for preparation and delivery of an oral presentation  Discussed the Whole–Part–Whole technique  Emphasis: the presentation is for the audience

Think & Write...  Write about situations in your life when you have had to make oral presentations.  For example:  lessons learned?  memorable mistakes?  memorable audiences?  Discussion