UHL 2332
Academic Report Writing
Oral Presentation
Contents of a Presentation
 Introduction
 Body
 Conclusion
Organize Your Speech
Why Speech Organization is Important
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It allows you and the listeners to see what ideas you have
and to put mental “hands” on the most important ones.
Listeners who hear a well-organized speech believe a
speaker to be much more competent and trustworthy.
Listeners demand coherence. A speaker must make sure
listeners can follow the progression of ideas in a speech
from beginning to end.
Using a clear and specific method of speech organization
can boost your confidence as a speaker and improve your
ability to deliver a message fluently.
3 Elements in the Body of the
Presentation
Main points
2. Supporting points
3. Connectives
1.
Main Points and Organizational Patterns
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Select them carefully
Phrase them precisely
Organize them strategically, in any of the
following patterns :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Chronological order
Spatial order
Causal order
Topical order
Problem solving order
Supporting Points
 Supporting materials are backup ideas for
the main points.
 Directly support and are relevant to the main
points.
Connectives
 Transitions
Eg: We have spent a lot of time talking the problem. It’s time now to
discuss the solution.
 Internal previews
Eg: (Transition) Now that we have seen serious the problem of missing
children is, let’s take a look at some solutions. (Internal preview) I will
focus on three in particular – stronger legal custody laws to
…and…Let’s consider them in turn.
 Internal summaries
Eg: In going back over the effects of …
 Signposts
Eg: The first cause… the final contributing cause is…
The Introduction of Your Speech
Get the attention and interest of your
audience – “attention-grabber”
2. Reveal the topic of your speech
3. Establish your credibility
4. Preview the body of the speech
1.
How to Get the Attention of Your Audience
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Relate the topic to your audience.
State the importance of your topic.
Startle the audience with an arresting or
intriguing statement.
Arouse the curiosity of the audience.
Question the audience.
Begin with a quotation.
Tell a story.
The Conclusion of Your Speech
Signal the end of the speech by using cues like:
1.
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Ending words
Voice characteristics – tone, pace, rhythm
Reinforce the central idea by:
2.
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Restating the main points.
Emphasize what you want your audience to do or
think.
Use a quotation or dramatic statement, if appropriate.
Refer to the introduction.
Language Issues
 Sentence structure – spoken vs written
 Appropriate vocabulary
 Clear pronunciation
Delivery Style
~Extemporaneous~
 The extemporaneous method requires that the
presentation be carefully researched and planned.
 Delivery is aided by a presentation outline, rather than
a complete script
 The main advantage of this method is a presenter
could sound spontaneous and conversational, yet
organized and coherent
Tips on Delivery
 Maintain eye contact – gently (caution : do not
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stare!)
Use voice control – pause; vary the volume, pitch
and rate of voice to sustain interest
Use body language – carefully (gestures, posture and
facial expressions should consistently support the
verbal message)
Establish a confident posture and stance
Avoid distracting mannerisms
Appearance
~ What you are speaks louder than what you say ~
 Match appearance to audience expectations
 Keep the pattern and style of attire simple – DO NOT
hang ornaments or badges on the attire, or
over-accesorise
 Ensure attire is comfortable, i.e. in the appropriate
size, made of suitable materials
 Wear suitable and comfortable shoes
Anxiety
a major challenge to effective presentation
Fear or anxiety over the prospect of giving a
presentation in front of an audience is normal
 Causes have been attributed to perceived lack of
skills, emotional predispositions towards speaking,
and characteristics of the speaking situation
 The best strategy to overcome speech anxiety :
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
(based on the principle that the better one knows how to do something,
the less anxious one will feel about doing it)
All the best,
and enjoy the experience!