Public Speaking

PresentationsShemesentations Improving Your Presentation SkillsComputing & Information Technology Professional Development GroupDecember 19th, 2013

Bob OrrangeUB Career Services1Words of WisdomIt usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.

-- Mark TwainWords of Wisdomfour weeks, if theres PowerPoint involved.

-- Bob Orrange3

Words of Wisdomfive weeks, if theres Prezi.

4Some Quick TipsSay who you are!Be yourself! Use the microphone!!!!Choose the tools that are best for you and your information (e.g. PowerPoint vs. Prezi).Be the best-dressed one in the room!Talk with the audience beforehand. Have audience members help you.Let the audience complete your sentence!Some Quick TipsSay things like, These are the keys issues and This is important.Dont speak while the audience is reading or looking at audio-visuals.Deliver one thought to one person.Make sure the audience knows where you are in the handout or PowerPoint.Have a backup plan for technology.Dont compete with food!

Some Final TipsDont go over the time limit.Be sure everyone has a copy before discussing a handout.Ask Who needs one? Not, Does everyone have one?And when it is not going well.Do an icebreaker.Change the topic area.Move it along!Ask if there are questions!So, are there any questions?IcebreakersLearn everyones name!Have audience learn each others name.Have them name an object that represents their personality and state why.Ask, Why did you get the name you got and what is unique about it?Have each state their pet peeve and why.Ask, Who is your role model and why?Have each person complete, When I grow up I want to be a __ .Give stuff away!

Icebreakers 1,000 +40 +1,000 +30 +1,000 +20 +1,000 +10 4,100Common Mistakes of PresentersNot thanking the host/hostess/audience.Not being genuine.Dont be a phony.Dont be too serious.Getting off track with a side issue.Use shorter answers until the end.Trying to analyze facial expressions.People commonly dont praise in public.Feel free to prove me wrong today!10Common Mistakes of PresentersLack of preparation/organizationNot knowing the subjectSaying youre nervous more than onceNot knowing the audienceIgnoring the occasionNot knowing the technologyFacing the wrong way!!Common Mistakes of PresentersLack of proofreading!Errors distract from your message and detract from your credibility.Dont EVER skip words!Proofread forward & backwards!Dont skip the headings!Your visuals will be judged on grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, and spelling.Common Mistakes of PresentersI cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I waas rdanieg. It wis abot the phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig, huh?Creating StructureThis basic structure works for a variety of presentations:

Introduction - Grab Attention!Credibility - Introduce yourself and state a bit of your credentials.Need Step - Give them a reason to listen.Initial Summary - Tell them whats coming!Body/Categories (See next slide)XXXXXXXXFinal Summary - Tell them what they heard!Refer to the attention grabbing statement.Take Questions.14Creating StructureThe BodyThese categories are used in The Body of many presentations:

Chronological SequencingTopical IssuesAsking Five QuestionsCause/EffectPro/ConProblem/SolutionYardstickMotivational ReasoningShake It Up!Here are some ways to support your content:

Facts, Figures, StatisticsAuthoritative SourcesCurrent EventsQuotationsNarratives -Tell a story!DefinitionsHumor - Self-deprecating humor is the safest form for presenters to use!Strategies For Giving InformationGo from big picture to small picture back to big picture (The hourglass approach!). Tell them what is important. Dont expect them to know!Use a linear progression:Past, present, futureGo from a general statement to a specific example.Build a bridge back to the key issues.

Take five minutesThen find a partnerCreate an outline

Hooray! Its Break Time!

Strategies For Distractions & InterruptionsDistractionsIgnore minor distractionsAcknowledge major distractionsFocus the attention & then move on!InterruptionsDeal with the unexpected professionallyThink Serenity Now! Call on audience members in turnAudience members with questions may feel part of the show!

Presentation AidsConsider:Your personal preferenceSetting/Size of the groupIs it enhancing the presentation?Culture of audience/organizationAttention span of the audienceTHE ATTENTION SPAN OF THE AUDIENCE !!!Presentation Aids PowerPointPreziLinear in NatureNew (Learning Curve)User FriendlyNon-linearEndless PossibilitiesZoom FeatureHyperlinksSharing OnlinePrintoutsCostsLarge FilesDizzinessNauseaVomitingEffective PowerPoint UseUse short titlesExpress one group of thoughts per slideFour colors per page, maximumUse no more than two fonts Use sound and effects with a purpose 6 x 6 Rule No more than 6 Words per line & 6 Lines per slideExcept for this presentation, of course!Effective PowerPoint UseWrite your presentation first!Information should be self-contained and understood by all.Clearly label charts and graphs.Information should flow horizontally.Content should enhance your presentation not detract from it.Dont try to be too flashy!

23Effective PowerPoint UseMust have an appropriate purpose.Dont put up data you are not using.Should be large, clear, & visually appealing.You should not have to say, I hope you can read this!Dont clutter the page! 24

20042005200620072008$3000$4,0002,000.55 (Red)1,000 ProfitActual Slide I Saw!!!Effective PowerPoint UseFor graphics:Blue has a solid, conservative feelYellow is fun and hopefulGreen is good for social interactionPurple is mysteriousAvoid red/green contrastsUse dark to light color sequence working from the bottom upEffective PowerPoint UseFor text:Use black on white backgroundYellow/white on dark backgroundAvoid red for textMaintain consistency in your revealsEffective PowerPoint UseKISS Keep It Short & SweetKILL Keep It Large & LegibleKIHB Keep It Horizontal, Baby!HABUPBYKSWSU Have A Backup Plan Because You Know Something Will Screw Up!Dont fall in love with PowerPoint! That still makes me sad, Dorkhead!

Thank You!

Bob OrrangeUB Career Services &www.Higher Ed Humor.comResourcesKnockout Presentations How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz by Diane DiResta, Chandler House Press.How To Be a Great Communicator by Nido R. Qubein, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.Guide to Presentations by Mary Munter & Lynn Russell, Prentice Hall.Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. 1st edition, by Garr Reynolds, Random House.www.public-speaking.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_speakingPowerPoint vs. Prezi by Adam Noar