In this chapter you have learned the following:

• The Five Canons of Rhetoric provide a useful framework for understanding key skills related to successful presentations.
• Invention is the art of finding information and involves everything from selecting a topic to finding examples, statistics, quotations, and other forms of supporting material. A key skill during the invention process is the ability to discover new and unique angles from which to approach your topic.
• Disposition/arrangement describes the arrangements and structure of a presentation. All presentations should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Style is the clear and ornamental use of language.
• Memory is a key skill for extemporaneous delivery. Although extemporaneous presentations allow the presenter to prepare ideas beforehand, presentation notes are often minimal and the presenter must remember some details and descriptions.
• Effective delivery does not require perfection, but does stem from being natural when presenting information to listeners.

• Well-developed presentations accomplish different objectives with the introduction, body, and conclusion.
• The introduction should introduce listeners to the topic of the presentation, provide a central idea, and preview points covered during the talk.
• The body of the presentation should expand on two to four main points and include appropriate supporting materials.
• The conclusion of the presentation should summarize the content of the presentation and end with impact.

• Clarity and ornamentation are two stylistic elements that increase the effectiveness of any presentation.
• You increase language clarity when you avoid technical language (or carefully define terms) and take care to arrange words effectively.
• You increase language ornamentation by using analogies and metaphors, and creatively wording certain parts of your presentation.

• Nonverbal delivery improves when presenters avoid overusing written notes, maintain eye contact with listeners, and use natural nonverbal behaviors including gestures, movement, and facial expressions.

• Presenters should strategically plan ahead when embarking on any of the four most commonly assigned first presentations.
• The impromptu presentation does not allow for substantial preparation and practice and is typically completed during class. Effective impromptu presentations should be organized clearly, and the presenter should utilize effective delivery behaviors.
• The self-introduction presentation allows you to talk about yourself for a few minutes in front of the class. When preparing this presentation, organize carefully and find ways to make your stories meaningful for listeners.
• The peer introduction presentation asks you to introduce one of your classmates. More successful peer introduction presentations typically stem from interviews that get beyond superficial personal information.
• A demonstration presentation teaches listeners how something works or how to perform some task. More effective demonstrations will present topics with which you have had some experience. Make the presentation relevant for your listeners, and use visual aids when possible.