Deck 14: A: Delivering Presentations

Question 1

List and describe the various types of presentation aids a speaker could use to clarify his or her message. Based on what you have learned in this chapter, what would you recommend as some guidelines for creating good presentation aids and for using them well during a presentation?

Answer 1

Ideal answers will reference a wide variety of presentation aids from visual to auditory to tactile, including posters, overheads, and slides of graphs, pictures, key points, props, models, diagrams, and illustrations as well as video and audio clips, or live props such as a person or an animal. Students should emphasize that good presentation aids should help an audience process and retain information, promote interest and motivation, and convey information clearly and concisely. Their place in the speech is to aid the speaker and should not be the focus of the speech or the audience's attention. Speakers should practice with the presentation aids using any technology they will need to use, anticipate problems with technology, and prepare for those challenges. They should write notes to themselves on their speaking outline so that they remember to integrate the presentation aids effectively.

Question 2

"It's not just what you say, but also how you say it." With this expression in mind, explain how nonverbal elements of vocal delivery help to make a message clear.

Answer 2

Ideal answers will reflect an understanding that although the words we choose (verbal communication) are important, the way we say them (nonverbal communication) is just as important, if not more so, to our success. Our vocal delivery can engage our audience and can convey confidence and trustworthiness. Students should reflect on the role of pitch, volume, rate, pronunciation, articulation, and use of pauses.

Question 3

Lindsay is a fairly typical student in an introductory speech class. Her anxiety about giving speeches is by no means crippling, but she doesn't feel especially confident about her abilities. Based on what you've learned in this chapter, what advice would you give to help Lindsay build her self-confidence?

Answer 3

Ideal answers will identify that Lindsay is not in need of intensive work to reduce her anxiety, so no discussion of professional help is needed. Instead, the emphasis should be on helping her see that nervousness is normal and that preparation and practice can help alleviate the stress, help ensure her success, and build her confidence. The following steps are listed in the text for building confidence: •Develop a constructive attitude toward fear and anxiety. •Grab every opportunity to prepare and practice for a presentation. •Remind yourself that your listeners want you to succeed. •Consider worst-case scenarios and prepare a plan of action on how to avoid them. •Modify your thoughts and attitudes in a positive way. •Visualize your success. •Use relaxation techniques such as stretching, deep breathing, and positive visualization. •Depersonalize the situation and realize people are judging the presentation and not you.

Question 4

We've all heard the saying, "Practice makes perfect," but you've learned in this chapter that there are effective and also not-so-effective ways to practice. Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter (and, quite possibly, others), explain what you understand to be effective methods of practicing for a speech.

Question 5

Imagine that you've finished this course, have done well, and have been hired to tutor students who are taking a course similar to this one. What would you say to help them understand the importance of effective speech delivery, as well as to help them learn how to deliver their presentations more effectively?

Question 6

Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter, what advice would you give Alex, who is preparing to give a speech in class and planning to use PowerPoint as a presentation aid? Specifically, what would you remind Alex about vocal and physical delivery, about presentation aid usage, and about practicing the speech?
Answer Key

Question 7

Impromptu speaking is difficult to do effectively. How can a speaker prepare himself or herself to speak effectively in this context?

Question 8

List and define the four methods of speech delivery. Describe any advantages or disadvantages each method holds for speakers. For each method, identify a context in which that method of delivery would be appropriate.