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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of using hand gestures during a presentation?
What is the primary purpose of using hand gestures during a presentation?
What should speakers consider when designing their presentation graphics?
What should speakers consider when designing their presentation graphics?
Why should speakers avoid using handouts during a presentation?
Why should speakers avoid using handouts during a presentation?
How long should speakers keep their graphics on the screen?
How long should speakers keep their graphics on the screen?
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What is the purpose of including all graphics in practice sessions?
What is the purpose of including all graphics in practice sessions?
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Why should speakers maintain eye contact while using graphics?
Why should speakers maintain eye contact while using graphics?
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What should speakers do when planning for a presentation?
What should speakers do when planning for a presentation?
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What is the primary purpose of discovering listener preferences?
What is the primary purpose of discovering listener preferences?
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Why should speakers use colors carefully in their presentation graphics?
Why should speakers use colors carefully in their presentation graphics?
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What is the purpose of stepping from behind the lectern on occasion?
What is the purpose of stepping from behind the lectern on occasion?
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Study Notes
Presentations and Your Career
- The ability to speak well can lead to success for you and your organization in various aspects, such as getting hired, getting and keeping customers, contributing to your profession, contributing to your community, and getting promoted.
Guidelines for Preparation and Delivery
- Know your listeners:
- They can be easily distracted and impatient
- Learn about the group and identify decision makers
- Speak to the lowest level of technical expertise
- Use the Preacher's Maxim:
- Abstract: state the purpose and outline the speech
- Body: discuss the points mentioned in the introduction
- Conclusion: review the main points
- Stick to a few main points:
- Organize in groups of three
- Use notes for occasional reference
- Don't memorize your speech
- Be extemporaneous
- Practice, practice, practice:
- Practice before a mirror
- Use an audio recording
- Use a live audience
- Use a video recording
- Speak vigorously and deliberately:
- Show enthusiasm, care, and attention
- Use appropriate emphasis on words and phrases
- Avoid filler words:
- Use pauses to your advantage
- Practice with a recorder
- Ask for help from others
- Use rhetorical questions:
- Ask questions to get listeners thinking about a topic
- Use as attention getters
- Use as transitions
- Maintain eye contact:
- With the audience
- Use appropriate gestures and posture:
- Hands and fingers emphasize major points
- Stand straight, without leaning on the lectern
- Step from behind the lectern on occasion
- Point toward visuals on screen or charts
Guidelines for Presentation Graphics
- Discover listener preferences
- Match the graphics to the content
- Keep the message simple
- Consider an alternative to bulleted lists
- Use colors carefully
- Leave graphics up long enough
- Avoid handouts
- Maintain eye contact while using graphics
- Include all graphics in your practice sessions
- Plan for technology to fail
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Description
This chapter covers the fundamentals of technical communication, focusing on oral communication and presentations, highlighting their importance in one's career.
