Stages of the Oral Presentation Process l Consider the audience l Choose/narrow a topic l Research the topic l Select support material l Organize and outline l Develop an effective introduction and conclusion l Rehearse and deliver your speech

Choose a Topic l Is it important to you? l Is it important to your audience? l Will it hold the audience’s attention? l Is it manageable in the time available? 5 – 10 minutes l Is it appropriate for oral presentation? l Is it clear?

Generate a Main Idea l Does it have logical divisions? l Can you support it? A... B... C... Because...

Narrow the Topic The Divine Wind Love Across Racial Boundaries Friendship Lost and Found Hartley Penrose

Research the Topic Carefully l Take Accurate Notes When Researching l Record Complete Source Citations l Credit Source of Ideas l When in Doubt, Cite Source

Organizational Patterns: Examples of Speech Topics l Chronological – Each of the last four decades had an important impact on the roles for women in the American workplace. l Topical – The advantages to travelling abroad include experiencing new cultures, visiting interesting places, and meeting people with different ideas. – Spatial – Gang violence has increased in small towns and large cities alike.

Organizational Patterns: Examples of Speech Topics l Cause-Effect – Both increased government spending and decreased tax revenues have resulted in the current budget crisis. l Problem-Solution – When it becomes more convenient for citizens to get to the polls, voter apathy will decline. l Comparison - Contrast – The stressful situations that employees encounter at work are both similar to and different from the stressful situations students encounter in college.

Functions of Introduction l Get the Audience’s Attention l Introduce the Topic l Provide Motivation to Listen l Establish Credibility l Provide Logical Orientation l Provide Overview

Types of Introductions l Anecdotal Story l Rhetorical Question l Quotation l Humour l Statement of Purpose

Types of Introductions (cont’d) l Statement of Importance of Topic l Identification with Audience l Reference to Situation l Surprise Audience with Claim or Statistic

Types of Introductions l Statement of Importance of Topic l Identification with Audience l Reference to Situation l Surprise Audience with Claim or Statistic

Functions of Conclusions l Summarise Speech l Re-emphasise Main Idea l Motivate Response l Provide Closure

Types of Conclusion l Refer to Introduction l Personal reference l Challenge to Audience l Vision of the Future l Quotation l Anecdotal Story l Rhetorical Question l Humour

Public Speaking Produces Anxiety in Most People l People’s Biggest Fear l Death Ranks Third Behind Public Speaking and Snakes

Overcoming Speech Anxiety l Acknowledge Your Fear l Act Confidently l Prepare Carefully and Well l Channel Nervous Energy

Rehearse Your Speech l Simulate the Speech Setting l Practise with Visual Aids l Practise Without Memorizing l Time the Speech l Practise Out Loud

Rehearse Your Speech (cont’d) l Practise Standing Up l Watch Yourself l Practise Gestures l Practise Eye Contact with Audience l Practise Volume, Tone, and Rate

Methods of Delivery l Manuscript Reading l Limited Notes l Memorized

Beginning Your Speech l Walk Calmly with Confidence to Performance Space l Establish Eye Contact l Smile Naturally l Deliver Introduction

During Your Speech l Use Effective Eye Contact l Use Effective Language l Use Effective Gestures l Be Enthusiastic l Be Conversational l Use Notes as Needed

Elements of Vocal Delivery l Speech Rate and Pauses l Volume l Inflection, Pitch, and Tone l Quality of Voice l Pronunciation, Enunciation, and Articulation

Elements of Physical Delivery l Adjust Your Appearance to Fit Your Speaking Situation l Keep Your Posture Natural l Match Your Facial Expressions with Your Message l Establish Eye Contact with Your Entire Audience l Use Movement to Guide Your Audience’s Attention l Adapt Your Gestures to Your Words and Speaking Situation

Ending Your Speech l “Frame” the Speech l Pause Before Returning to Your Seat l Accept Applause Graciously