THE ORAL PRESENTATION
This activity is designed to:
a) help you more closely focus broad aspects of the lectures on language
b) to help you learn presentation skills which you will need for other courses
and may need at work.
c) provide you with an opportunity to work collaboratively.
TOPICS FOR THE ORAL PRESENATION:
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2.
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6.
Language as a Political Issue/Language Rights
Language in Education
Neuro-linguistics
Language and Gender
Language and Social Mobility
Language and History
SOME BOOKS WHICH YOU MAY WANT TO USE TO BEGIN RESEARCH FOR
YOUR PRESENTATION:
Roberts, Peter. West Indians and their Language
Fromkein, Victoria and Robert Rodman: Language : An Introduction
Christie, Pauline: Caribbean Language Issues: Old and New
Devonish, Hubert: Language and Liberation : Creole Language Politics in the Caribbean
You will be penalized if you restrict your research to only these books and you will also
be penalized if you use any book written primarily for students below the tertiary level.
STEPS FOR PREPARING AN ORAL PRESENTATION
Before you can pass a message along to others, it must be clear in your own mind.
Writing is an essential part of preparing for your presentation. First, brainstorm the topic,
analyze your audience, and create a thesis statement. Then, take good research notes,
develop an organizational outline, and draft an introduction and conclusion. Finally
prepare a presentation outline or index cards.
Topic
Select a topic you care about. Choose one that you either know a lot about or can learn a
lot about in the time you have to prepare. Make sure your topic can be handled well
within the time constraints of the presentation itself.
Audience Analysis
When determining how best to approach your topic, consider your audience and adapt
your message accordingly.
In the classroom setting, audience analysis is simple—your classmates and your teacher.
However, don’t forget them! Ask yourself the following questions:
Are they traditional students?
Are they adult learners?
What do they already know about the topic?
Specific Purpose
The specific purpose of your presentation should be written as an infinitive phrase (to
inform, to convince, to show). You should narrow your topic to one main point using
specific terms and precise language that can be achieved in the time constraints of the
assignments.
Working Thesis
Your working thesis pulls together the general purpose, audience analysis, and specific
purpose. Just like a thesis in an essay, it is a roadmap for the listeners. It promises them a
destination. In preparing your presentation, it is also a practical preparation step because
it helps you narrow your topic, it introduces and connects the key concepts of your
presentation, and it is a catalyst for your research. State your sub-headings (two to five
points that will support your main message as sign posts for the listeners.
A thesis statement in an oral presentation often feels contrived and rehearsed. That’s
okay. Unlike the reading experience in which the active reader may reread and
contemplate a statement before moving on, the listening experience demands the obvious
be stated so that even the laziest listener is ready to move on when your speech does.
Research Strategy
When you receive an oral presentation assignment, divide the preparation into
manageable tasks according to a realistic timeline. Set small goals and stick to your
calendar in order to give yourself enough time to research, organize, and practice your
presentation.
Research should go from general to specific information. Investigate the big picture
before you look for perfect illustrations, examples, or statistics for your speech. Cater
your research to the determined needs and interests of your audience. Use the library and
focus on sources specific to the area of study. If your topic is a current event or
particularly timely, avoid outdated books. Be careful with the Internet and check for the
credibility of the sources.
Organization
Stick to the timeline to stop researching: otherwise, you will over-research and then find
that you are rushed to organize and practice the presentation.
Introduction
-Grab your audience’s attention with a question, quotation etc
-Give your audience a “road map” so that they will always know where you are, where
you are going, when you are there, and what they have to look forward to.
-Explain your organization so they may follow along
-Write your introduction last
Supporting Materials:
The longer your presentation, the more you audience will become bored. Be concise, yet
informative in the body of your presentation
Conclusion:
Always make the conclusion lively and memorable and offer the audience the sense of
closure they look for, the summary they need, and the reinforcement of the thesis they
appreciate.
-Signal the end with verbal (“in conclusion”) cues.
-offer a fresh restatement of your main message
-use a clincher: state a quote, issue a challenge, or give an illustration.
(Adapted: Manion, Christine, A Writer’s Guide to Oral Presentations and Writing in the
Disciplines)
In addition, read: The Brief Handbook, Chapter 46 (Making Oral Presentations) OR
The Brief Wadsworth Handbook, Chapter 27
Guidelines for group presentations
Presentations will be assessed based on the following criteria
Content
What salient points have been made in respect of the topic chosen?
How relevant and accurate is the information presented?
Does the presentation demonstrate an understanding of the topic?
Analysis
Has the information been used to effectively communicate the
points raised?
How well developed are these points?
Are examples and illustrations relevant/appropriate? Do they help
to add clarity to the topic?
Organization
Is there an introduction that gives the audience a useful
background to the presentation?
Is there an appropriate conclusion that provides closure?
Is the material presented in logical sequence?
Use of English
Was the presentation made in grammatical English, using a style
and language variety appropriate for the context?
Creativity
Was there effective/appropriate use of supporting media (e.g.
charts, drama, poetry, panel discussion, multimedia presentations)?
Peer assessment
You are required to assess the contribution of each member of your group (including
yourself) on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest. In scoring each person, bear in mind
his/her contribution in terms of research, sharing ideas, participation in discussions,
punctuality, willingness to listen to the views/ideas of others, showing respect for other
members and their ideas, willingness to volunteer, and ability to work with others in the
group.
NAME: __________________________
ID # ______________ STREAM: _____
TOPIC: ______________________________________________________________
Names of group members
Rating
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3. _________________________
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4. _________________________
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5. _________________________
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