Presentation Fundamentals:
Oral Communication
Writing in CSD
Challenges to oral communication:
 Studies show that people retain 10% of what they
hear
 But, the sender remembers 70-90% of what he
or she says
 So, how do you narrow the gap between what
you intend to communicate and what your
listener actually understands?
Tips for Giving Effective
Presentations
Making the message you give and the message
received the same thing!
Basic Guidelines
 Know Purpose of Speech/Presentation
 Know Audience
 Present a Clear Message
 Show Value of Message
 Build Rapport & Credibility
Know your purpose
 The main reason or objective for your
speech or presentation.
 Inform
 Persuade (Sell)
 Motivate
 Train
Know your audience
 Technical or Non-technical
 Managerial or Staff
 Educational Level
 Age
 Friendly or Atagonistic
 Knowledge of your Topic
Present a Clear Message
 2 Messages in a Speech:
 Message delivered by speaker
 Message received by listener
 Your goal is for these 2 messages to be the same!
 How your message is received by the audience
depends on
 The verbal message (what you say)
 The non-verbal message (how you say it)
The best way to make
sure you give a clear
message is to
ORGANIZE!!!
Tips for presenting a clear, wellorganized message
 Give a Speech Overview/Preview
Prepares Audience
 Use Connectives/Transitions
Signals Topic Change
 Review Points
Enhances Audience Retention
Organize your presentation
 Write down the purpose of your speech and
your central idea (most important
information)
 Choose 2-3 Points
 Reinforce your Central Idea
 Highlight Central Idea through Examples
.
Examples of purpose and central idea
Purpose: To inform my audience about the major advantages of
telepractice in speech pathology.
Central Idea: Telepractice in speech pathology can be beneficial
in that it addresses issues of mobility, remoteness, and
clinician availability.
Organize Main (supporting) Points
 Chronological - Narrate a sequence of events or
explain a process
 Spatial – Follow a directional pattern (top to bottom,
side to side, front to back, outside to inside)
 Causal or Problem-Solution - Show a cause and
effect relationship or present a problem and offer a
solution
 Topical – Divide main points into categories based
on topic
Use transitions between points
 First, second, third…
 Now that you understand the problem, I
want to tell you about a solution…
 In contrast to…; Similar to the first point…
 Maybe you are wondering….
 The key to this point is…
 The bottom line is…
Carefully prepare your Introduction
 State your purpose
 Show value of message (why should
people listen?)
 Establish your credibility (why should they
listen to YOU?)
 Preview your main points
Carefully plan your conclusion
 Cue the end
 Review your main points and central idea
 Provide a vivid ending (not: “Well, I
guess that’s it.”)
Establish your credibility
 Initial (before)
 Perceived reputation
 Attire
 Exhibited nonverbal behaviors
 Inferred preparation and organization
 Instantaneous (during)
 Introduction
 Message content
 Delivery ability
 Audience connectivity
Tips on Delivery
Public speaking apprehension
 The Book of Lists ranks fear of public speaking as the #1
fear, even ahead of death, disease, and nuclear war.
 A 2001 Gallup Poll found that public speaking was second
only to a fear of snakes.
PUBLIC SPEAKING APPREHENSION IS REAL, AND
EVERYONE HAS SOME LEVEL OF APPRENSION ABOUT
SPEAKING IN PUBLIC.
Overcoming public speaking
apprehension
 Know your audience and the environment
 Spend time organizing your speech
 Know your material (what you intend to say)
 Practice your presentation
 Relax
 Breathe
 Use extras wisely (handouts, power point)
 Keep your focus on the material
 Remember -Your audience is on your side (usually)
Delivery -How You Give the Speech
 Verbal Techniques
Volume, Rate, Emphasis,VocalVariety, Articulation,
Language
 Non-verbal Techniques
Personal Appearance, Gestures, Eye Contact
Final Tips for Effective Presentations
 Prepare/organize your speech
 Practice your speech (out loud) and time
yourself
 Make eye contact with each person while
giving your speech
 Speak loudly enough for everyone to hear
 Slow down your speaking rate
 Don’t be afraid of pauses