EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION STRATEGIES

1. EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION STRATEGIES

2. NUANCES OF DELIVERY • MODES OF DELIVRY Following are the points that can hold the attention and interest of the audience. • The manner of presentation, • The vocal inflections, • The perfectly timed pauses • The facial expressions • And our gestures • When one is giving a presentation one must keep in mind that having something to say is not enough; you must also know how to say it.

3. There are four modes of delivery that can be used for making presentations: • Extemporaneous • Manuscript • Impromptu • Memorization • Extemporaneous mode • When speaking extempore we must prepare the notes beforehand and rehearse our presentation. There is no need to learn every word and line by rote. • AdvantagesDisadvantages • Enough time to prepare. if preparation is inadequate • Self-confidence. we become uncomfortable. • Use of supporting material. We tend to read out the notes • The delivery should be which makes the speech loose spontaneous. its spontaneity. • It enables us to move freely.

4. Manuscript mode • Material is written out and we are supposed to read it out aloud. We are not supposed to memorize the speech and then recollect it. • For effective use of this mode, we should go through the material several time until we become familiar with the text. AdvantagesDisadvantages • It is a permanent and Proper eye contact is not accurate record. possible • No chance of tampering Not possible to talk with with the facts and figures. Audience. • Material is organized Adaptation is difficult. systematically. In absence of effective • We can write and rewrite reading skills, we might the text fumble over words, loose pace

5. Impromptu mode • When we have to deliver an informal speech without preparation. • Be as brief as possible during impromptu presentations. • AdvantagesDisadvantages • Natural presentation as it is Lacks organized development of instant. ideas. • We get a chance to express Non availability of supporting our thoughts freely. Materials. • Spontaneous Chances of rambling are very high. Frequent use of vocalized pauses. It can be a failure due to inadequate proficiency in the language.

6. Memorization mode • Speech is written out beforehand, then committed to memory, and finally delivered from memory. This type of delivery stands between extemporaneous and manuscript presentation. AdvantagesDisadvantages • Very easy to maintain an - Memorization requires too eye contact with audience. much of time. • Easily make use of non- - It can become dull and verbal communication. monotonous. • Possible to finish speech in - Our memory skills may fail us time. if we have not rehearsed well. - No flexibility or adaptation is possible. - the speaker might get flustered if he/she forgets words, sentences etc.

7. Guidelines for effective delivery • Success of any presentation depends on the use of following, • Verbal elements • Non-verbal elements • Vocal, and • Visual • Verbal elements • Word pictures - we may give our speech a graphic quality by painting word pictures that allow the audience’s imagination to take over. • Specific details allow an audience to see the scenes we are describing. • The task is not merely to get words out of our mouth, but to transfer ideas into the listener’s minds.

8. Warm words – words are powerful. They conjure images, evoke emotions, and trigger responses deep within us. • We should use those words that strengthen our arguments and weaken those of our opponents. • Similes and metaphors – although technical presentations do not require the use of similes and metaphors, but they certainly add flavor to a speech. • Some metaphors are - building a business is like building an empire • Delay is the deadliest form of denial. • Impact words – ‘We’ and ‘You’ are the most important words of all. • We must directly address the audience and relate to them. • Smooth flow – we can make our speech flow smoothly and gracefully by using some transitional devices. They promote clarity, emphasize important ideas, and sustain listeners’ interest.

9. Following are few transitional devices. • Bridge: A bridge is a word that alerts the audiences that we are changing direction or moving to a new thought. • E.g. we completed the project in January. Meanwhile other developments were taking place. • Number item: A number item keeps the listeners informed about where we are in a presentation. • E.g. the first advantage of the new plan is ….. • Trigger: A trigger is a repetition of the same word or phrase to link one topic with another. • Interjection: An interjection is a word or phrase inserted in a commentary to highlight the importance or placement of an idea. • E.g. this is the most interesting movie – perhaps it the best of all – that I have seen. • Internal summary: Internal summary helps our audience stay oriented by providing a one-sentence summary during the course of delivering the main text of our presentation. • Internal preview: An internal preview, like an internal summary, orients the audience by alerting them to the upcoming points.

10. Signpost: Signpost tell our audience where we are in our presentation. • E.g. there are four advantages, as we have discussed the first two of them let us move on to the third advantage. • Rhetorical question: A rhetorical question can subtly change the direction of the discussion. • Flashback: A flashback is a sudden shift/reference to the past, and breaks what seems to be a predictable narrative. • List: A list is a very simple way of combining apparently unrelated elements: • E.g. We made four attempts to solve the problem. • Pause: A pause is a non-verbal method of showing our audience that we have finished a section of our speech and we are about to move on to another. • Physical movements: Physical movements towards a visual aid, such as a black/white board, flip chart, or screen, suggest that we are moving on to something new. • Quotations, anecdotes, and jokes: A quotation, anecdote (a short amusing story) , or joke can serve as an excellent link.

11. Non – verbal elements • Appearance, • Facial expressions • Eye contact • Postures • Gestures, and • The space we share with our audience. The above things communicate our interest, enthusiasm, dynamism, intention, and confidence to our audience. The following tips will help you to use body language effectively during your presentation. • Dress formally • Your facial expressions should show enthusiasm and interest. • Make eye contact with all the audience • Use well-timed gestures and avoid monotonous gestures. • Stand tall and straight with shoulders upright; walk/move swiftly; avoid too many and monotonous movements.

12. Do not come very close to the audience; maintain a distance of at least 4-12 feet. • While using blackboard, raise your voice and look at the audience in between. • Avoid fiddling with key ring or tie while presentation. • Avoid looking outside even if there is some external noise. Try to concentrate on your ideas and audience • Vocal elements • Our voice serve as an important tool to support our verbal message. • How we sound is as important as how we look or what we say. Our vocal elements, namely the tone, pitch, rate, and volume, reflect our attitude about ourselves, our message, and our audience.

13. The following vocal elements will enhance the impact of your presentation. • Speak with enthusiasm and sincerity • Avoid fast delivery • Adjust the volume of your voice • Use silence and pauses effectively • Avoid monotones or vocalized pauses • Articulate each word clearly • Use your optimal pitch • Visual elements • The audience will remember facts easily if the same is expressed through pictures. Visual stimuli are more effective than verbal stimuli. • Advantages • It makes the message more interesting • It is easier to grasp and information can be retained longer if visual elements are used.

14. CONTROLLING NERVOUSNESS AND STAGE FRIGHT • Does the thought in front of an audience make you nervous? • The symptoms of stage fright are; • Racing heart • Sweating • Dry mouth • Shaky hands and legs • Knocking knees • Blinking eyes • Paining back • Queasy stomach, and • Loss of memory

15. Strategies for Reducing Stage Fright • Strategies in advance of presentation • Develop interest in the topic • Reserve enough time for preparation • Anticipate easy and hard question and be prepared with the answer • Practice your opening statement several times • Rehearse your entire presentation at least twice • Strategies just before the presentation • Arrive early, check the arrangements, equipment, and your Power Point slides. • Look at participants, greet them and talk to them • Take few sips of water • If you have time walk around or outside the venue • Concentrate on your ideas • Relax yourself by taking deep, even, and slow breaths.

16. Strategies when the presentation begins • Feel good about your presentation and take few deep breaths. • Do not begin immediately or in a hurry, you must look around • If your legs are shaky, lean on the table or dais and hold it • Audience should not realize your nervousness as much as you feel it • Never comment on your nervousness during your presentation • Do not show explicit signals, such as clearing throat, wiping forehead… • Visualization Strategies • Positive visualization is a proven technique to reduce nervousness or stage fright on any occasion such as a presentation, an interview, a group discussion, etc. • On-camera Techniques Following things should be followed when your presentation is captured in a video format • If there is a video recording, forget that there is a camera. • Do not be conscious of the camera and behave naturally. • Try and not look at the camera. • Dress yourself in suitable colors. • If you are delivering an impromptu speech do not look surprised.

17. VISUAL AIDS IN PRESENTATIONS • Visual supports are handouts, chalk boards, flip chart, overheads, slides, computers, charts, tables, films, etc. • If a picture is simple, clear, and appropriate to its purpose and audience, it will deliver its message more accurately and quickly than a verbal explanation. • TYPES OF VISUAL AIDS USED IN PRESENTATIONS • Overhead transparencies • Power-point presentations • Blackboard or whiteboard • Flip charts We should be judicious in our choice of aids depending open the type of audience.