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Business Communication: Building Critical Skills
Kitty O. Locker, Ohio State University
Steven Kyo Kaczmarek, Columbus State Community College
Kathryn Braun, Sheridan College
Making Oral Presentations

E-Learning Session

  1. What decisions do I need to make as I plan a presentation? Choose your main point, the kind of presentation, and ways to involve the audience.
    1. An oral presentation needs to be simpler than a written message to the same audience.
    2. Analyze your audience for an oral presentation just as you do for a written message.
    3. Think about the physical conditions in which you'll be speaking.
    4. Plan your presentation. TRANSPARENCY MASTER
      • CONCEPT CHECK True or False: One type of presentation you may give in business is a guided presentation. CONCEPT CHECK
    5. Plan visuals carefully. POWERPOINT SLIDE
  2. How should I organize a presentation? Start with the main point. Often, one of five standard patterns will work.
    1. Choose one of five patterns of organization for oral presentations:
      • Chronological.
      • Problem-causes-solution.
      • Excluding alternatives.
      • Pro-con.
      • 1-2-3.
    2. Early in your talk-perhaps immediately after your opener-provide an overview of the main points you will make.
  3. How can I create a strong opener and close? Brainstorm several possibilities. The following four modes can help.
    1. Brainstorm openers for your presentation. POWERPOINT SLIDE
    2. Use one of four strategies for a strong close:
      • Restate your main point.
      • Refer to your opener to create a frame for your presentation.
      • End with a vivid, positive picture.
      • Tell the audience exactly what to do to solve the problem you've discussed.
          1. CONCEPT CHECK True or False: Strong closes are less important than strong openers. CONCEPT CHECK
  4. What are the keys to delivering an effective presentation? Turn your fear into energy, look at the audience, and use natural gestures.
    1. Audience members want the sense that you're talking directly to them.
    2. Use four techniques to be more effective:
      • Transform fear.
      • Use eye contact.
      • Stand and gesture.
      • Use notes and visuals.
  5. How should I handle questions from the audience? Anticipate questions that might be asked. Be honest. Rephrase biased or hostile questions.
    1. Prepare for questions by listing every fact or opinion you can think of that challenges your position.
    2. During your presentation, tell the audience how you'll handle questions.
    3. Don't nod during the question period to indicate you understand a question; audience members may think you are instead agreeing with the questioner.
    4. If a question is hostile or biased, rephrase it before answering it.
    5. If you don't know the answer to a question, say so.
    6. At the end of the question period, take two minutes to summarize your main point once more.
      • CONCEPT CHECK True or False: Sometimes audience members will ask speakers questions only to create the opportunity to share their opinions with the group. CONCEPT CHECK
  6. What are the guidelines for group presentations? In the best presentations, voices take turns within each point.
    1. Planning is the key.
    2. Decide whether to use a divided or integrated presentation. TRANSPARENCY MASTER
  7. Go to the Self-Quizzes section if you would like to test your understanding of this module.




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