Organizing Presentations
Chapter 15
Parts of a Presentation
Section 1 Objectives
1. Identify the five purposes of an
introduction.
2. Apply effective methods for getting an
audience's attention.
3. Develop clear thesis statements.
4. Explain three reasons for audience
orientation.
5. Identify and explain the three purposes
of a conclusion.
Presentations
Most presentations consist of three main
elements.
– 1. Introduction
– 2. Body
– 3. Conclusion
Introduction
Get the audience’s attention – An
opportunity to grab your audience’s
attention before getting to the
important information of your topic
– Attention device
Humor
Quotations
Stories
References to the occasion, audience, or
topic
Rhetorical questions
Startling statements
Personal experiences
Choose appropriately for the
presentation.
Introduction
State your thesis – A thesis statement is a
clearly written, simple sentence or
question that states the point you expect
to make in your presentation. If you only
had the time to say one sentence to your
audience, what would it be?
Establish your Ethos as a Speaker – You
might want to provide information about
yourself, your specific expertise, or the
research you have done on the topic so
that the audience knows that you are
qualified to speak on that topic.
Introduction
Orient the Audience-Provide the
audience with an audience
orientation. This provides audience
members with information they
likely do not already have but will
need. To determine whether an
orientation is needed, consider
these audience needs:
-Audience Orientations
Definition
Background information
Motivation
Introduction
Preview Your Main Points- This is a
courtesy that you provide for your
audience to let them know what to listen
for during the presentation. This can be
done in one simple sentence or broken up
into several sentences
Put It All Together- At the end of your
introduction, the audience should have no
doubt about what it will gain by listening to
your presentation.
The Body
In a presentation, you will rarely be able to share
everything you know about a topic.
To determine what information to include, focus
on exactly what the audience needs to know to
meet both your objective and theirs.
The body is made up of only two to five main
points. Less is better!
Time is a very important factor, 75 to 85 percent
of the presentation is the body.
This is the part of the presentation that requires
the most preparation time and effort.
The Body
Determine the Main Points– The first step in determining the
main points of a presentation is to
consider the purpose of the
presentation.
– The second step is to refer to
your thesis statement. Each main
point must support the thesis.
– The final factor is the availability
of information. You need
information to support your idea
The Body
Make Smooth Transitions – Transitions not only
join the main points together, but also link the
introduction and conclusion to the main body.
Using transitions can help you –
-put ideas together
-illustrate a point
-compare or contrast points
-emphasize a point
-arrange points in order
-repeat or provide a summary of the
important points
-relate points through location or time
The Conclusion
A conclusion is the ending that pulls the
presentation together.
It serves three purposes– Summarize the Main Points – a simple
restatement of you main points or a strong
appeal that reinforces the central theme
– Restate the Thesis – this final statement of
your topic or purpose serves as a vehicle to
pull the entire presentation together.
– Provide a Clear Ending – your final chance to
make a lasting impression.
Patterns of Organization
Section 2 Objectives
1. Select appropriate strategies to
organize a presentation.
2. Explain Monroe’s Motivated Sequence.
3. Use effective strategies to outline a
presentation.
Patterns of Organization for
Informative Presentations
Chronological Order – an
arrangement according to the time
in which something occurs.
– Daily routine, timed activities, class
schedule
Sequential Order – an arrangement
according to the steps in a process,
information is arranged according to
a particular succession.
– Directions to a friend’s house, when
giving instructions for a task.
Patterns of Organization for
Informative Presentations
Spatial Order – an arrangement
according to how a topic is put together
or by the physical location of its
elements.
– Describing your school building, the weather
forecast
Topical Order – groups ideas by some
logical theme or division. Points are
usually arranged by order of importance
– Describing the various sports, clubs, and
activities at your school
Patterns of Organization for
Persuasive And Motivational
Presentations
Cause-Effect Organization – the first part,
cause, brings about some action, event, or
situation. The second part, effect, is the
consequence of that action, event, or
situation.
Problem-Solution Organization – first there
is a problem, then the second step is the
solution to that problem.
– Advantages-disadvantages of solutions are
usually discussed at this point.
Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
A five part organizational
strategy designed for speeches
that seek to persuade or
motivate an audience to take
immediate action.
It is based on two assumptions –
that everyone has needs and
people can be persuaded by
claims that satisfy those needs.
Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
Attention – to create audience interest in
learning or knowing more by getting their
attention.
Need – you make your audience aware that a
problem or need exists and that they are related
to it directly.
Satisfaction – you present your solution for the
problem you just explained.
Visualization – help your audience visualize the
benefits of your solution.
Action – tell the audience exactly what you want
them to do and how to go about doing it.
Preparing Your Presentation
Outline
An outline for a presentation
follows the structure of your
presentation.
Example
– I. Introduction
A. Introductory Device
B. Thesis Statement
C. Establish Speaker Ethos
D. Audience Orientation
1. Definitions
2. Background
3. Motivation
E. Preview Main Parts
Preparing Your Presentation
Outline
II. Body
A. Main Point 1
1. Supporting Information
B. Main Point 2
1. Supporting Information
C. Main Point 3
1. Supporting Information
III. Conclusion
A. Summary
B. Second Thesis Statement
C. Concluding Device