Introduction to Presenting

1. Introduction to Presenting • Logistical questions about paired presentations • Review of Presentation Planning • Preparation for next class • Complete Recommendation Memo—final version • Read New York Times • Review the SAFW formula in Blue handout pack

2. What do you want your audience to know or doas a result of your communication? Set a clear objective So you must… • Inform • Persuade/Sell • Inspire • Teach/Train Note: All effective presentations involve an element of persuasion!

3. Describe your audience • Who are they? • What do they need/expect from you? • What will interest them? • How can you help them? Benefit them? • What do they know or feel about you? • What do they know about your topic?

4. Craft your main message or unifying concept • What key idea, if accepted by your audience, will allow them to achieve your objective? THEN... • What supporting points will be needed to develop your BIG IDEA?

5. Organize supporting points in a logical, hierarchical order

6. Spoken Communication • Oral communication is difficult to follow • Minds work 4x faster than mouths • People only remember 18-25% of what they hear • We think in pictures and understand new concepts through experience

7. Speaking for the Ear • Use Simple, Specific, Concrete Nouns. • Prefer Strong Active Verbs • Avoid Long Sentences • Don’t Fear Intelligent Repetition. Listeners Must Understand as You Speak; There is no “Instant Replay” Button

8. Also…think about the Audience Memory Curve 100 % 100 % Attention Maximum attention Beginning……………..………………….End

9. INTRODUCTION: Tell them what you’re going to tell them BODY: Tell them CONCLUSION: Tell them what you’ve told them Use “three strike” structure to gain and retain audience attention

10. INTRODUCTION--the essentials • Gain audience attention and motivate them to listen • State your purpose and BIG IDEA • Preview key points/arguments--prepare them to follow your thinking • Transition smoothly to first point

11. INTRODUCTION: State your objective and main message Involve your audience in shared objective “Today we will see that preparation is the key to a successful job interview…”

12. INTRODUCTION: Preview key points/arguments “There are three things you should do to prepare for any interview: 1) ... 2) ... 3) ...” Put these on your agenda slide

13. INTRODUCTION: Transition smoothly to first key point... “To look at each of these steps in more detail, let’s first examine your starting point: creating a good resume.” (Start with your strongest or most important point--based on audience experience and bias…)

14. BODY: Lead audience through the logic of your thinking • Use a “moving blueprint” slide • Plan clear transitions between key points • Reinforce how key points relate back to your main message and objective • Use visuals and delivery techniques to maintain audience attention

15. CONCLUSION: Tell them what you’ve told them • Reinforce objective • Summarize key points in longer presentation • Stress benefits to audience • Describe any next steps or action needed

16. Check out the space • Size • Lighting • Available AV equipment • Room configuration • How will you “work the room”?

17. Create Visuals Think visual! Practice with your visuals “Touch, turn, and talk”

18. Delivery Skills Practice, Practice, Practice! Voice and Speech Eye Contact Gestures, Movement, Stance