Lesson 12 – Presentations and Speaking

GoreIntroduction

Basic structure

Presenting ourselves – that is something our career can depend on. Meetings, auditions, job interviews and countless other reasons require from us to excel in this field. We are going to start easy – what are the basic elements of any presentation? Let‘s see:
Content - It contains information that people need. Unlike reports, it must account for how much information the audience can absorb in one sitting.
Structure - It has a logical beginning, middle and end. It must be sequenced and paced so that the audience can understand it. Where as reports have appendices and footnotes, the presenter must be careful not to loose the audience when wandering from the main point of the presentation.
Packaging - It must be well prepared. A report can be reread and portions skipped over, but the audience is at the mercy of a presenter.
Human Element - A good presentation will be remembered much more than a good report because it has a person attached to it. But you still need to analyze if the audience's needs would not be better met if a report was sent instead.

Always remember these points first when preparing for presentation. Now let us look at how the presentation should be done step by step.

1.1 Objectives of the Lesson

- to learn new vocabulary connected with business presentations, claim support, giving speeches in public and in corporate events
- to practice usage of appropriate language when talking in public or in formal situations
- to learn and practice interrogative pronouns when questioning
- other related topics such as: multimedia aids in presentations, body language, nervousness in presentation, presenting complex speeches, language of presentations

GoreReading

Giving Speech in Public

To be successful in various business situations, including those when you need to support your claims in communication in offices, presentations, you need to know how to support your opinions and claims in public. Let us go through some speech basics, which can be applied either to talking to audience, supporting your standpoint on meetings or in other official interactions. Besides all the good tips, make sure you remember at least six basic areas of interest – they will help you to orientate in your speechmaking reality.

2.1 Assess Situation Of Speech

Consider the occasion - how long is your talk going to last? Are you addressing a crowd, group of people or just one person? Will you be the keynote speaker or one of many? Has your partner/audience heard you before and what is their impression of you and your organization?
Define your topic - it should be already apparent to you. You've been asked to make a toast at your best friend's wedding, your boss is retiring and you'd like to honor her or you are suggesting improving a procedure in your job. Your topic should be worthwhile, appropriate, culturally sensitive and limited in scope.
Clarify your speaking goal - What is the purpose of your talk? Have you been invited to share your expertise on a topic? Will you be celebrating a special occasion or addressing the public after incident with your company‘s products? Do you seek to motivate your audience to make a change? Or are you addressing to educate?
Develop your central idea or thesis - Can you get your point across in thirty seconds or less? Audience members expect that you will be able to give them the bottom line and to make it accurate, brief, and clear.

2.2 Know Your Audience or Partner

Determine background of your audience or partner, what is their psychology and what is the situation they are currently in - Learn all that you can about your audience in order to meet the needs of your speaking occasion.

Consider cultural considerations- Ignoring cultural differences and expectations is considered rude and impolitic.

Interact with your audience/ debate partner during your talk- Listen and react to what currently happens in the discussion or presentation – be empathic. If you are delivering your talk to broader audience, consider adopting a heightened conversational tone.

Get feedback following your talk- Your audience members can give you some useful information- i.e. how well you adapted your talk to their particular needs. You may ask your colleague about the downfalls of your presentation. In face to face discussion, ask what can you make more clear or if there is something unpleasing in your discourse.

Exercise 1:

Write a short paragraph on - what would be the difference if you had to present a claim to a

Japanese business partner and to
prospective customers in a youth radio debate?

2.3 Research Your Topic

Develop your expertise- You want to be perceived as an expert in your subject. Experience, knowledge, and integrity are keys to developing your expertise. In any situation – be prepared! Think about possible counterarguments or simply opposing standpoints that have to be covered in case you face them.

Work with other experts to boost your credibility- Even expert must admit that there are many perspectives to look at a topic. Good speakers ensure that they are up-to-date and aware of what other experts are doing in their field. In business situation – give each other support from area of your expertise when presenting claims.

Assess the credibility of resources- As you know, there are many of people who pretend to be experts on subjects for which they know little. In addition, some misrepresent the facts or fabricate evidence. Simply – check your sources!

Work with people who are well informed- Reference librarians, or long-time expert in your field are skilled in finding resources. Make research easier by knowing where to get info.

Find evidence to back up your claims- Evidence gives credence to your arguments. When making a claim, you can expect your audience to be thinking, “What evidence do you have to support that assertion?“

2.4 Organize and Write Your Speech

Choosing a pattern of organization- A well-organized speech typically includes three clear parts: a beginning, middle and an end. If discussion threats the message - do not let be distracted – write down the questions and ask audience to finish first, only then answer the questions.

Starting your talk- Be creative. In the introduction to your speech/discussion, gain your listeners' attention and then focus their attention on your central idea by making a clear statement of your thesis and a preview of your main ideas.

Ending…