Plan Prepare Practice and Present - Presentation Skills
Plan Prepare Practice and Present - Presentation Skills
Plan Prepare Practice and Present - Presentation Skills
2. THEME:
• In one sentence, write down the object of your speech. This sentence will become the
criterion against which all material is be judged whether to be included or not.
• If there are a number of points to be dealt with, establish a theme, a central idea or concept
which gives unity, direction and coherence to the presentation as a whole.
• List the main points to be covered and arrange them in a logical sequence.
Your speech should be structured into 3 distinct parts - Opening, Body and Conclusion
3. OPENING or INTRODUCTION:
• The introduction is most important as your audience will accept your message in the first 30 -
90 seconds, or they will switch off and ignore the rest of the speech.
• In the introduction you (a) introduce the theme (b) set the scene (c) establish a direction (d)
gain the attention of the audience and get them involved.
• The introduction should be short, positive, easy to handle, generate interest and expectancy
and you must feel comfortable with it. It should create a vivid image and possibly an image
that the audience can identify with.
• DO NOT repeat the title, read the introduction, apologize, explain, complain or make
excuses.
• Ideas for an attention gaining opening:
• Use a question related to audience need.
• Pay a sincere compliment
• Use a quotation. This reinforces your opinion. Remember to state the author.
4. BODY:
• The body should flow naturally from the introduction and lead the audience to the conclusion
you wish to accept.
• Be sure to stick to your theme.
• DO NOT try to cover too much ground - three or four main points are sufficient.
• Use stories, anecdotes, examples to keep the audience interested.
• Pause after each major point, example or illustration for effect and to allow the audience to
consider your point.
• Remember the audience likes to be entertained as well as informed, convinced or motivated.
Try to include some humour, if appropriate to the topic.
5. CONCLUSION:
• The conclusion should re-state the essential message. Keep it short and simple
• Memorize the conclusion and the opening.
• Refer back to the points in the introduction to round off the speech. The conclusion should
always link back to the opening.
• DO NOT introduce any new information to round off the speech.
• DO NOT just fade off.
• DO NOT thank the audience at the end of the speech.
When speaking you need to know something about the audience and what they expect of you.
DO NOT:
• Do not appear to be unprepared
• Apologise
• Explain
• Complain
• Ramble
• Read directly from your notes
• Exceed time limits
• Use distracting mannerisms
• Appear patronising.
• Large windows
• Traffic noise
• Air-conditioning noise
• Construction work
• Temperature of room
• Drafts (eg overhead fan could cause notes to blow off lectern)
What size is your audience and does the venue allow you to encourage:
• Audience participation
• Question time
• Presentation of opinions.
Practice:
• In front of family
• To gain feedback
• Using a tape recorder
• A strong opening
• To ensure logical flow
• Credible evidence
• To identify distracting mannerisms
• To ensure your speech is within the allocated time period
PRESENT YOUR SPEECH
REMEMBER:
The audience is entitled to your best PREPARATION,
your PUNCTUALITY, your keeping to TIME and your SINCERITY