Making a Presentation —& Listening to One

Week 3 Lecture

D r S i m o n B r o o kS i m o n . b r o o k@v u . e d u .a u

acy1002Public Speaking & Communication

Key issues in this lecture

1. What makes a speaker effective? Effective speaking. Effective preparation. Structure.

2. Feeling comfortable face to face. Presenting comfortably (even if it’s not how you feel). ‘Owning the space.’

3. Taking centre stage.

Thinking about “effective speaking”

Is it reflected in memorability— e.g. John Howard’s most memorable line as prime minister of Australia (2001)? http://museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/ident

ity/videos/politics-videos/john-howards-2001-election-campaign-policy-launch-speech/

The line that won an election:

But we will decide who comes to this countryand the circumstances in which they come.

Or, with emphasis:

Bút wé will decíde who cómes to this cóuntryand the círcumstánces in whích they cóme.

Effective speaking

Sounds Like… Vocal Confidence. Clear Message.

First impressions... Body Language. Eye Contact. Good listening.

Effective preparation

Think of it as scaffolding for your presentation. Good preparation enables a good structure, and structure is essential for building a good speech: Identify your aims. Identify your audience. Identify the physical circumstances. Map out your time. Remember what you need to (not what you don’t). Rehearse!

Structure

‘What is your point?’ Nothing matters more to a speech: that’s how you know it’s your (main) point… But also, nothing matters more to a speech: without a point, it’s pointless!

Arrange your speech so your point is clear and credible: Everything you say should be a reminder of the point you’re trying to make. Make clear links with every issue you discuss, so listeners can hear how each

one is evidence for (or against) your point.

Your point needs to last long after the speech has finished: You combat the evanescence of speech by manipulating the memory of your

listeners. Structure your speech so that listeners will remember what they need to. Safire (2004) suggests the simplest method: tell them what you’re going to say

(anticipate your point); then say it (make your point); then tell them what you said (repeat your point)…

Another way to put this is: introduction; main body; conclusion.

Presenting as though you’re comfortable

Breath.Tension.Content anchors.‘Staying on message.’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMDV3eISLPs.

 Keep Breathing!

‘Owning the space’

Meet your audience.Find your levels:

How does a quiet person command a space? Do women and men occupy speaking roles the same

way? (Or adults and children? Or people from different cultural backgrounds?)

Be sure to ‘know what you know.’Listen to (and watch) your audience.Exercise: Breathing.

Taking centre stage

Once you get up to speak, your audience will expect you to set the mood for them.

Think about (and manipulate): Your pace. Pauses. Your volume. Your tune – e.g. major and minor speaking. Keywords or ‘hot button phrases.’ Repetition, repetition, clarity, and repetition.

Work ahead…

Assessment #3 begins this session: This is a reminder to let yourself be guided by the assessment criteria (Unit Guide, p. 6). As a guide to what you should know, going into this assessment: we expect you to be

familiar with the lecture materials we have covered so far, plus the readings for Sessions 1-3.

And continues next session: Note that there are still no props until Day 3, when we shall start using PowerPoint slides

for speeches.

Assessment #2: Speeches and scripts are due Day 4, Session 2. Next week we shall begin brainstorming topics for your groups to work with.

How are you going with the Unit readings so far (especially Lucas)? Any questions?

About anything in this unit so far?