Making an Oral Presentation

1. Making an Oral Presentation Thomas L. Warren, Ph.D. Technical Writing Program, M205 Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK 74078 twarren@okstate.edu http://www.okstate.edu/artsci/techwr

2. Making an Oral Presentation:Today’s Main Points 1. Organizing your talk 2. Delivering your talk Southwest Missouri State University

3. Making an Oral Presentation: 1. Organizing your Talk Plan to make it short Make organization obvious Make your ideas clear Prepare for questions Southwest Missouri State University

4. Making an Oral Presentation: 2. Delivering your Talk Set the stage No notes. . . . insurance, though Visual aids Talk loudly, slowly, vigorously Southwest Missouri State University

5. Making an Oral Presentation: Organizing your Talk: Time • Make your talk short • It takes twice as long to speak as to read • Stick to 4 main points • Prepare: Say it—write it—say it • Practice Southwest Missouri State University

6. Speaking/Listening Capabilities NOTE NOTE Southwest Missouri State University

7. MAKING AN ORAL PRESENTATION: Organizing your Talk: Make it Obvious • Make your organization obvious • Acknowledge introduction • Tell group what you plan to tell them • Tell them • Tell the group what you told them • Restate main points in relation to sub points • Explain, illustrate, repeat Southwest Missouri State University

8. Making an Oral Presentation:Organizing your Talk—Make Ideas Clear • Make your ideas clear to the group • Draw visual pictures • Explain strategy before tactics • Explain scientific/technical terms in physical terms • Always use English before using math • Always illustrate applications—SO WHAT? • Use rhetorical questions Southwest Missouri State University

9. Making an Oral Presentation: Organizing your Talk: Questions • Prepare for the questions • Repeat main points at the end • Ask for questions from the group • Repeat questions asked • Reword clumsy or awkward questions • Pass out material AFTER the talk • Thank the audience • SIT DOWN! Southwest Missouri State University

10. Making an Oral Presentation: Delivering your Talk Set the stage No notes. . . . insurance, though Visual aids Talk loudly, slowly, vigorously Southwest Missouri State University

11. Making an Oral Presentation: Delivering your Talk—Set the Stage • Carefully set the stage for your talk • Know arrangements • Bare blackboards • Pie-shaped arrangement of audience • Plenty of ventilation • Appoint volume monitor Southwest Missouri State University

12. Making an Oral Presentation:Delivering your Talk—Insurance, Notes • No notes—but carry insurance • Use a 3 x 5 card • Type main points • Use one side of the card only • Use long side for margin • Place in handy spot • Ultimate insurance always there Southwest Missouri State University

13. Making an Oral Presentation • Use visual aids with your talk • Prepare charts—the best kind • Make all letters large; drawings should be simple • Write on the board—BACKHAND • Projection devices can cause problems Southwest Missouri State University

14. Type 44 pt • Size—24 as smallest • Here is 36 point • Here is 32 point • Here is 24 point • Here is 16 point • Here is 12 point • Here is 10 point USE 12 and 10 point DON’T USE Southwest Missouri State University

15. Making an Oral Presentation: Delivering your Talk: Presentation • Talk loudly, slowly, vigorously • Keep body erect • Put your eyes on their noses—but only if you need to • Use hands naturally to illustrate • Move on transitions • Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse—three times Southwest Missouri State University

16. Making an Oral Presentation: Today’s Main Points—AGAIN • Organizing your talk • Plan to make it short • Make organization obvious • Make your ideas clear • Prepare for questions • Delivering your talk • Set the stage • No notes—but insurance policies • Visual aids • Talk loudly, slowly, vigorously Southwest Missouri State University

17. Questions/Comments Southwest Missouri State University