English writting This assignment addresses all the secondary influences surround
ID: 1649349 • Letter: E
Question
English writting
This assignment addresses all the secondary influences surrounding a good presentation (that is, everything except the content of the speech). Imagine you've been asked to address an audience about a topic that's important to you. Consider how you would present this topic. What persona might you create? To do: Outline a short speech focusing on the structure of the presentation. You do not need to actually write the speech - just include enough information to make sense of the nonverbal information you are including, and the persona you are creating (approximately one thousand words). Refer to lessons on "Persona," "NonVerbal Communication" and "Visual Aids" for more information on important elements. Example: [I enter the stage wearing a business suit and smiling at the audience.] My topic is X. I have the following expertise of experience that give me the authority to give this speech. This is my effective opening sentence, in which I connect with the audience. [I request a chair upon which to remove my jacket.] [I make eye contact with several people in the front row.] I articulate the first sentence of the topic I would discuss. Here are the main points I would make (just the main points, not the full content). At this point in my speech I would use Visual Aid X (this is the reason why). This is my effective closing statement. [I exit the stage confidently, looking straight ahead.] You may present this assignment in any way you like, providing you answer the following questions: • What is the topic of this speech? • What authority do you have to give this speech? • Where will the speech be held? • How will you be dressed? • How will you address the audience? • What visual aids will you use? • What approach will you take: humour, anecdotes, serious business address?
Explanation / Answer
Preparing Enough
Steve Jobs was a famously inspiring speaker. His speeches may have looked effortless, but, in reality, each one took days or weeks of preparation.
Careful preparation is essential. The amount of time you spend on planning depends on your situation, but it's a good idea to start early – you can never be too well-prepared.
Proper preparation also helps you manage presentation nerves . When you know your material inside and out, you're far less likely to feel nervous. Our presentation planning checklist and Bite-Sized Training session on "Giving Better Presentations" can help you plan your next event properly.
Familiarizing Yourself With the Venue and Equipment
Imagine that your presentation starts in an hour. You arrive at the venue and, to your horror, the projector won't work with your laptop. The slides you spent hours preparing are useless. This is a disaster!
You can avoid a situation like this by taking time to familiarize yourself with the venue and available equipment at least once before your presentation.
Often, the sort of problems that can jeopardize your presentation will be situations beyond your control, but this doesn't mean that you are helpless. Conduct a risk analysis to identify potential issues, and come up with a good "Plan B" for each one.
Not Ignoring Your Audience
Sometimes, speakers can get so wrapped up in delivering their presentations that they forget about the needs of their audience.
Start your presentation by telling your audience what to expect. Let them know what you will cover first, whether and when you'll stop for a break, if you'll be taking questions during the presentation, and so on.
Providing these "signposts" up front will give your audience a clear idea of what to expect, so that they can relax and concentrate on your presentation.
Using appropriate Content
The primary purpose of any presentation is to share information with others, so it's important to consider the level you will pitch it at.
Do some research on your audience. Why are they here? How much do they already know about your topic, and what do they most want to learn from you? It's no use giving a presentation that is so full of jargon that no one understands you. But you wouldn't want to patronize people, either.
Try to put yourself in people's shoes, to get a clearer idea about their needs and motivations. You can also greet individuals as they arrive on the day, and ask questions to get a feel for their level of knowledge. This will also help you to personalize your presentation and make a connection with each person in your audience, so that they'll be more attentive to what you say.
Not Being Too Verbose
Short, concise presentations are often more powerful than verbose ones. Try to limit yourself to a few main points. If you take too long getting to your point, you risk losing your audience's attention.
The average adult has a 15- to 20-minute attention span, so, if you want to keep your audience engaged, stick to the point! During the planning phase, make a note of the themes you want to cover and how you want to get them across. Then, when you start filling out the details, ask yourself: "Does my audience really need to know this?"
Using effective Visuals
Poor slides can spoil a good presentation, so it's worth spending time getting yours right.
We've all seen slides with garish colors, unnecessary animation, or fonts that are too small to read. The most effective presentation visuals aren't flashy – they're concise and consistent.
When choosing colors, think about where the presentation will take place. A dark background with light or white text works best in dark rooms, while a white background with dark text is easier to see in a brightly lit room.
Choose your pictures carefully, too. High-quality graphics can clarify complex information and lift an otherwise plain screen, but low quality images can make your presentation appear unprofessional. Unless an image is contributing something, embrace the negative space – less clutter means greater understanding. Use animation sparingly, too – a dancing logo or emoticon will only distract your audience.
Not Overcrowding Text
The best rule of thumb for text is to keep it simple . Don't try to cram too much information into your slides. Aim for a maximum of three to four words within each bullet point, and no more than three bullets per slide.
This doesn't mean that you should spread your content over dozens of slides. Limit yourself to 10 slides or fewer for a 30-minute presentation. Look at each slide, story, or graph carefully. Ask yourself what it adds to the presentation, and remove it if it isn't important.
Speaking coherently
Even though we spend a significant part of the day talking to one another, speaking to an audience is a surprisingly difficult skill, and it's one that we need to practice.
If nerves make you rush through a presentation, your audience could miss your most important points. Use centering or deep breathing techniques to suppress the urge to rush. If you do begin to babble, take a moment to collect yourself. Breathe deeply, and enunciate each word clearly, while you focus on speaking more slowly.
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