This document provides guidance on preparing and delivering effective oral presentations and telephone calls. It discusses identifying the purpose and organizing the introduction, body, and conclusion of a presentation. It also offers techniques for gaining audience attention, designing visual aids, overcoming stage fright, and making and receiving telephone calls professionally. The key aspects covered are identifying the purpose, organizing the main points, using visuals to enhance comprehension, practicing delivery, and planning introductions and conclusions.

1. Presentation Skills

2. Preparing an Oral
Presentation
Ch. 15, Slide 2

3. Preparing an Oral
Presentation
• Identif y your purpose.
• Decide what you want your audience
to believe, remember, or do when
you finish.
• Aim all parts of your talk toward
your purpose.
Ch. 15, Slide 3

4. Preparing an Oral
Presentation
• Organize the introduction.
• Get the audience involved.
• Capture attention by opening with a
promise, stor y, startling fact,
question, quotation, relevant
problem, or self-effacing stor y.
• Establish your credibility by
identifying your position, expertise,
knowledge, or qualifications.
Ch. 15, Slide 4

5. Preparing an Oral
Presentation
• Organize the
introduction.
• Introduce your topic.
• Preview the main points.
Ch. 15, Slide 5

6. Preparing an Oral
Presentation
• Organize the body.
• Develop two to four main points.
Streamline your topic and summarize
its principal parts.
• Arrange the points logically:
chronologically, from most important
to least important, by comparison
and contrast, or by some other
strategy.
Ch. 15, Slide 6

7. Preparing an Oral
Presentation
• Organize the body.
• Prepare transitions.
• Use “bridge” statements between major
parts (I’ve just discussed three reasons for X;
now I want to move to Y).
• Use verbal signposts (however, for example,
etc.).
• Have extra material ready.
• Be prepared with more information and
visuals if needed.
Ch. 15, Slide 7

8. Preparing an Oral
Presentation
• Organize the conclusion.
• Review your main points.
• Provide a final focus. Tell your
listeners how they can use this
information, why you have spoken,
or what you want them to do.
• Plan a graceful exit.
Ch. 15, Slide 8

9. Preparing an Oral
Presentation
Nine Techniques for Gaining and Keeping
Audience Attention
1. A promise
By the end of this presentation, you will be able to . .
. .
2. Drama
Tell a moving stor y; describe a serious problem.
3. Eye contact
Command attention at the beginning by making eye
contact with as many people as possible.
Ch. 15, Slide 9

10. Preparing an Oral
Presentation
Nine Techniques for Gaining and Keeping
Audience Attention
4. Movement
Leave the lectern area. Move toward the audience.
5. Questions
Ask for a show of hands. Use rhetorical questions.
6. Demonstrations
Include a member of the audience.
Ch. 15, Slide 10

11. Preparing an Oral
Presentation
Nine Techniques for Gaining and Keeping
Audience Attention
7. Samples/gimmicks
Award prizes to volunteer participants; pass out samples.
8. Visuals
Use a variety of visuals.
9. Self-interest
Audience wants to know “ What’s in it for me?”
Ch. 15, Slide 11

12. Designing and Using
Graphics
Ch. 15, Slide 12

13. Designing and Using
Graphics
• Select the medium.
• Consider the size of the audience and
the degree of formality desired.
• Consider cost, ease of preparation,
and potential effectiveness.
Ch. 15, Slide 13

14. Designing and Using
Graphics
• Highlight the main ideas.
• Focus on major concepts only.
• Avoid overkill. Showing too many
graphics reduces effectiveness.
• Keep all visuals simple.
Ch. 15, Slide 14

15. Designing and Using
Graphics
• Ensure visibility.
• Use large type for transparencies and
slides.
• Position the screen high enough to
be seen.
• Be sure all audience members can
see.
Ch. 15, Slide 15

16. Designing and Using
Graphics
• Enhance comprehension.
• Give the audience a moment to study
a visual before discussing it.
• Paraphrase its verbal message; don’t
read it.
Ch. 15, Slide 16

17. Designing and Using
Graphics
• Practice using your visual aids.
• Rehearse your talk, perfecting the
handling of your visual aids.
• Practice talking to the audience and
not to the visual.
Ch. 15, Slide 17

18. Presentation Enhancers
Ch. 15, Slide 18

19. Presentation Enhancers
• Overhead Projector
• Cost: Low
• Audience size: 2-200
• Formality level: Formal or informal
Ch. 15, Slide 19

20. Presentation Enhancers
• Flipchart
• Cost: Low
• Audience size: 2-200
• Formality level: Informal
Ch. 15, Slide 20

21. Presentation Enhancers
• Write-and-wipe Board
• Cost: Medium
• Audience size: 2-200
• Formality level: Informal
Ch. 15, Slide 21

22. Presentation Enhancers
• Slide Projector
• Cost: Medium
• Audience size: 2-500
• Formality level: Formal
Ch. 15, Slide 22

23. Presentation Enhancers
• Computer Presentation Slides
• Cost: Low
• Audience size: 2-200
• Formality level: Formal or informal
Ch. 15, Slide 23

24. Presentation Enhancers
• Handouts
• Cost: Varies
• Audience size: Unlimited
• Formality level: Formal or informal
Ch. 15, Slide 24

25. Overcoming Stage Fright
Ch. 15, Slide 25

26. Overcoming Stage Fright
Symptoms of Stage Fright
• Stomach • Wobbly knees
butterflies • Tied tongue
• Pounding heart
• Shortage of
breath
• Sweaty palms
• Dr y throat
• Unsteady voice
Ch. 15, Slide 26
• Trembling hands

27. Overcoming Stage Fright
Ways to Overcome Stage Fright
• Select a familiar, relevant topic.
Prepare 150 percent.
• Use positive self-talk.
• Convert your fear into anticipation
and enthusiasm.
• Shift the focus from yourself to your
visuals.
Ch. 15, Slide 27

28. Overcoming Stage Fright
Ways to Overcome Stage Fright
• Give yourself permission to make an
occasional mistake.
• Ignore stumbles; keep going. Don’t
apologize.
• Make the listeners your partners. Get
them involved.
• Just before you speak, practice deep
breathing.
Ch. 15, Slide 28

29. Effective Telephone Calls
Ch. 15, Slide 29

30. Effective Telephone Calls
• Making Calls
• Plan a mini agenda.
• Use a three-point introduction:
1. Your name
2. Your affiliation
3. A brief explanation of why you are calling.
• Be cheerful and accurate.
• Bring it to a close.
• Avoid telephone tag.
• Leave complete voice-mail messages.
Ch. 15, Slide 30

31. Effective Telephone Calls
• Receiving Calls
• Identif y yourself immediately.
• Be responsive and helpful.
• Be cautious when answering calls for
others.
• Take messages carefully.
• Explain when transferring calls.
Ch. 15, Slide 31

32. End
Ch. 15, Slide 32