GXEX1406
Thinking and Communication Skills
Oral Communication
Oral Communication : Benefits
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Oral comm skills benefits students
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Academically
Interpersonally
Future careers
Participation in class discussion make students
more involved in self learning
Easier to give oral presentation, interact with
instructors
Employers seek applicants with excellent oral comm
skills
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Oral Communication
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Involves expressing and sharing ideas &
information as well as influencing others
through verbal symbols (non-written)
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Purpose
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Inform
Persuade
Entertain/amuse
GXEX1406 Thinking and Communication Skills – Week 2 Oral Communication
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Oral communication situation
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Public speaking
Interpersonal communication
Meetings
Small group communication
Talking on the phone
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Oral communication
assignments
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Informative presentation / speeches
(informal/formal) – impromptu/planned
Persuasive/influence appeal(sales,
motivational, presentation, appeals for policy
changes)
Debates / Panel discussion /interviews
Press conference
Creative/aesthetics performances
(storytelling)
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Oral presentation : delivery
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Manuscript
Memorization
Impromptu
extemporaneous
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Oral presentation : impromptu
speaking
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Impromptu Speeches : little or no preparation
4 steps to organize your thoughts quickly
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State the point/question you are responding
State the point you want to make
Use whatever support you have (statistics/
examples/ testimony)
Summarize your point
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Oral presentation: suggestions
for impromptus
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Quickly jot down an outline
Try to remain calm
Making strong eye contact with the audience
Concentrate on speaking on a clear,
deliberate pace
Use signposts (“first”, “second”,
“then”,”next”,”finally”)
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Effective oral presentation – 9 steps
Determine general purpose : inform/ persuade/ entertain/amuse
 Content
 Organization
 Delivery of messages
 Analyze the audience
 Determine specific purpose
 Research the presentation
 Organize and outline the presentation
 Prepare visual aids **
 Rehearse **
 Deliver **
 Self assess **
______________________________________________________
** will be covered in detail in week 3 during Presentation
Skills Topic
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Oral communication: planned
speech/presentation
Making a speech is like
making a hamburger.
•Top of bun = appetising introduction.
•Each layer of the bun = tasty aspect of your topic.
•bottom of the bun = conclusion - holding the burger together.
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Oral communication : speech outline
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Introduction
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Body
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Attention getting statement : a question/anecdote/story etc
Thesis statement : specific purpose of speech/presentation
Preview statement : overview of all main points
First main point:
 A subpoint : 1 sub-subpoint ; 2 sub-subpoint
 B subpoint : 1 sub-subpoint ; 2 sub-subpoint
Second main point
 A subpoint :1 sub-subpoint ; 2 sub-subpoint
 B subpoint 1 sub-subpoint ; 2 sub-subpoint
Conclusion
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Summary statements – review all the main points
Concluding statement – a closing statement that ends your
presentation smoothly
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Tips to manage oral presentation
apprehension
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Prepare thoroughly
Speak about a familiar topic
Realize that you’re not alone
Focus on getting the msg across
Use positive visualization
Practice relaxation techniques
Use visual aids
practice
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Speech Assessment Sheet
Big Plus:
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
Improvement Needed:
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
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So of the Do’s
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Gestures & movement
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Vocal variety
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Moderate amount of movement
Tone, rate, pitch, volume, pronounciation,
articulation, appropriate use of pauses
Eye contact & facial expression
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Make speaker more believable, trustworthy
To gauge audience feedback
Convey speaker’s feelings, attitudes, emotions
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