Preparing an Effective Oral Presentation

~A. C.“Buddy” Krizan at. al. (2008)

THE foundation for a successful oral presentation is preparation. Speakers who do not prepare are telling the audience members they are unworthy of the speaker’s best effort. Thorough  preparation builds a speaker’s confidence and assures the audience of an interesting and informative presentation.

How much time does it take to prepare for a presentation? Although some speakers say they spend an hour preparing for each minute of oral presentation, no one formula works in every situation.  The audience and the speaker’s familiarity with the topic will influence preparation time. The steps in planning an oral presentation are described in the following sections.

Delivering an Effective Oral Presentation

~A. C.“Buddy” Krizan at. al. (2008)

ALL the material you studied earlier in this chapter applies to the delivery of an oral presentation. You will want to use your voice effectively and project a strong presence. You will want to vary your  pitch, volume, and speed for emphasis while speaking. Enunciate sounds clearly and pronounce words correctly. Your poise and bearing should convey confidence, enthusiasm, sincerity, and  friendliness. Establish appropriate eye contact with your audience, and use natural gestures. Dress appropriately for the audience and the situation. You have prepared your oral presentation, and now you are ready to deliver it. Here are keys to guide you in successfully delivering your oral presentation.

Types of Oral Presentations

A. C.“Buddy” Krizan at. al. (2008)

BUSINESS professionals often find it necessary to make oral presentations. The purpose of most oral presentations will be either (a) to inform the audience of certain facts or (b) to persuade or  motivate the audience to accept a point of view or take a certain action. Occasionally, you may be asked to deliver a presentation designed solely to entertain. Regardless of the purpose of a  presentation, your career and your organization will benefit when you prepare and deliver it effectively.