1. The Art and Practice of
Effective Presentations
1b
Rowan E Wagner
Language Services Direct

2. Introduction task
You have 5 minutes to organize your thoughts and prepare a short
presentation in which you will have 2-4 minutes to tell the class (while
standing in the front of the class) the following:
• Who you are and what your job title is.
• Why you signed up for the course and what type of presentations you
want to work on.
• Who do you think is an effective speaker and why

3. Presentation 1b Overview
• Introduction task
• Presentation(s)?
• 2-point impromptu speech model
• Rubrics, rubrics, rubrics
• The impromptu task
• Questions
• References/Sources

4. Presentation(s)? - what
For the purpose of this course:
• A presentation is the act of bringing into before the public an
idea, or argument ( a particular point of view) which is
supported or justified by a body of evidence
• It is complex in nature, requiring a range of skills that include
but are not limited to, speaking, cultural understanding and
design of supporting visual aids/materials

5. Presentation(s)? - why
• We often use presentations in our daily lives in many different
situations and contexts for one of three purposes:
- to inform
- to educate
- to persuade

6. 2-point Impromptu Speech Model Rational
• Often in our daily lives we are called upon to provide input make
judgments or provide opinions in which we must justify. E.g. business
meetings, shopping, friends or family seeking advice, etc…
• This model helps to develops to quickly organize your argument or
point of view into a logical response; to the ever taunting …Why do
you like, think, believe ….

7. The 2-point Impromptu Speech Model
• Introduction
• Point 1
- support
- support
• Point 2
- support
- support
• Conclusion
• State it
• Explain it
• Prove it
• Conclude it

8. Rubrics, rubrics, rubrics - loose
definitions
• A format or formula for communicating criteria, normally
within the area of education used for assessing writing and
oral assignments
• A tool for breaking down complex activities into distinct
areas that can be critiqued or reflected upon such as in
personal development plans
• A means of expressing expectations in a measurable manner
often used in business formats such as evaluations

9. Rubric, rubrics, rubrics - task
• Form into groups of 3-4
• Then using the oral presentation rubric examples, come up with a
rubric that could be used for the impromptu presentation elements of
- Invention
- Arrangement
- Style
• You have 30 minutes to complete the task, after which your group will
present their rubric in a plenary session
• After all groups have presented, in the plenary session the class will
decide on which one or which elements will be used in a rubric for
the 2-point impromptu presentation

10. The Impromptu Task
• From the topic list handout, choose one topic
• Outline your topic presentation using the 2-point impromptu speech
model
• Prepare to deliver a 2-4 minute presentation of your topic during the
impromptu presentation practicum.
• You may use PP, the white board or flip charts as visual aids
• Use the agreed impromptu presentation rubric as guidance

11. Questions
• Looking over your notes and the PP-slides handout; come up with,
and ask, one question you would like to have answered.

12. References/Sources
• Steven Pinker (1994) The Language Instinct
• Twenty Special Forms of Rhetoric. (http:/ / www. specgram. com/
CXLVII. 3/ 09. seely. rhetoric. html) A satirical look at non-traditional
but commonly used rhetorical forms.
• Mitchell, Anthony. A Primer for Business Rhetoric. (http:/ / www.
crmbuyer. com/ story/ 39361. html) Discusses how messages are
dumbed down to make them acceptable to wide audiences.
• Irmsher, Karen Communication Skills (http:/ / www. ericdigests. org/
1996-3/ skills. htm)