3. Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Common Mistakes Tips and Tricks
Doing too little Find additional info from
research respected sources
Relying on personal Use printed
knowledge/experience materials, electronic
databases, and personal
Using internet as your interviews
only research tool
4. Printed Materials
Library Sources:
Brochures and pamphlets
Dictionaries and encyclopedias
Books
Magazines/Journals
Newspapers
Yearbooks
Quotation Books
Other Sources
5. Licensed Electronic Databases
Include books, magazine and journal
articles, government documents, and more
Examples:
JSTOR and Lexis Nexis
Http://www.ripley.sbc.edu:2048/menu
7. The Internet
Remember:
Not all information is authoritative
Unless you know where to look, you can spend hours
searching
Many valuable source are not available
“Invisible Web”
8. Before Going
Online: Three Tips
• Prepare a rough-draft outline
• Make a list of key words and
phrases to search
• Use one or more electronic
databases
9. Searching with Boolean Operators
Keyword Searches
Look for sources that contain a specific word or phrase
Boolean Operators
AND
OR
NOT
10. Searching with Boolean Operators
Too Many Results Too Few Results
Avoid OR Check spelling
Use exact phrases with “” Use fewer words
Exclude words/phrases using Connect search terms with OR
NOT Use alternate words
Specify additional terms with Do not use “s”, “ing”, or “ed”
AND with search terms
11. Subject Search
Provides a general guide for a topic
Example:
Sweet Briar College Library Guide
Handout Given
12. Validating Internet Sources
Is the author a qualified expert?
Is the information presented objective?
Is the information accurate?
Is the information current?
As a speaker, you will need objective, accurate, and
current information
13. Finding Quality Websites
Broad Subjects Specific Subjects
Use hierarchical index Standard: mathematical
calculations
“A subject directory Alternative: different ways of
organized by category” sorting information
Example: Yahoo! Google ranks based on links
Vertical: Searches specific
portions
Indeed searches job openings
16. Conduct your Interview
Introduction: be friendly, make eye
contact, establish rapport
Body: ask prepared questions, listen carefully, use
open-ended questions
Conclusion: verify unclear information and provide
interview with closure.
17. Avoid Plagiarism
“Using the ideas of someone else
without giving them credit”
• Cite your sources
• Give credit to others
• Example: Reading article and
using direct quotes without
citations
20. Supporting Materials
Three Purposes Six Categories
Explanations
To Clarify Comparisons
Illustrations
To Prove Examples
Statistics
To Add Interest Expert Opinions
21. Explaining the Six Categories
Explanations, Comparisons, Illustrations, Examples, Statis
tics, and Expert Opinions
22. “In an explanation the speaker
describes the relationship between
certain items, defines a term or
word, or gives instructions on how
to do something or how to get
somewhere”
Page 344
24. “Speakers use comparisons to show
the similarities or differences
between something the listeners
know and something they do not
know”
Page 345
25. Comparisons
Types Comparisons
Literal Relate unfamiliar to
familiar
Comparisons
Effective and easy
Figurative way to add interest
Comparisons Used to clarify
26. “An illustration is a narrative or
story told in vivid detail to paint a
picture for the listener”
Page 346
27. Illustrations
Types Illustrations Should
Be detailed and vivid
Factual Relate clearly to point
If factual, used both to clarify
illustrations and to add proof
Used by speakers in
Hypothetical introductions
If hypothetical, used only for
illustrations clarification
28. “Examples are brief references to
specific items or events that are
used for both proof and
clarification”
Page 347
30. Examples
May contain no detail, or may include few brief
facts
Are used for both clarification and proof
Are most effective when used in groups of two or
more
Included immediately after factual illustration to
add additional proof
32. Statistics
Statistics from Speaker Statistics to Audience
Relate to their frame of Relate to audience’s interests
reference and knowledge
Eliminate unnecessary Be used sparingly
statistics Easier with charts, graphs or
tables
Round off to an easy number
Should be cited
Demonstrate credibility
Used for clarification and
proof
33. “Expert opinion refers to the ideas
of an expert in the
filed, paraphrased or quoted
directly by the speaker”
Page 349
34. Expert Opinions
Be sure to Expert Opinions
State the name of the expert Be kept brief
Briefly describe qualifications Used for clarification and
unless common knowledge proof
Briefly cite where and when it Quoted as if expert is saying it
was said Be followed by explanation
38. Delivery and Non Verbal Behavior
Gestures Tips
Help you appear Do not overdo it!
natural and add Try stepping
forward, backward, or
enthusiasm/importa side-to-side
nce to your Move at
presentation beginning, end, or when
emphasizing a point
41. Delivery and Voice
Volume Pitch
Loud enough to be Step changes
heard through room
in pitch to add
Increase/Decrease
volume with interest
emphasis
42. Delivery and Voice
Emphasis Rate
Increase pitch and volume Rate effects listener
Emphasizing certain words attention
changes the sentence
meaning Be sure to pause after
Example: important phrases or
Why did you fire him?
Why did you fire him?
ideas for absorption
44. Oral Language
• Should be
short, simple
sentences
• No long, technical
words
• Best language is
vivid, specific, and
simple
45. Persuasive
Language
• Straight forward and
forceful
• Words set
moods, feelings, tones, and
themes
• Use stylistic language to
make speech memorable
• Use “sweet and sour” words
47. Confident Delivery
Practice
Stand up, speak out loud, and use visuals
It is okay to be nervous, but don’t let it show
Never say sorry after a mistake
Maintain Composure
Do not toy with items, hair, clothing
