Chapter 13 Nature of Formal Presentations

What is the first task in preparing for a formal presentation?

The first task is choosing and narrowing your topic.

What should you consider when selecting a topic for a presentation?

Consider the general purpose of your speech, appropriateness for the occasion, appropriateness for your audience, and if the topic is suitable for you.

What is the general purpose of a speech?

The general purpose is the broad intent of what the speech should accomplish: to inform, to persuade, or to commemorate.

What should you consider regarding the occasion when choosing a topic?

Ensure the topic is appropriate for the occasion, like a wedding toast, commencement speech, or first aid training.

Why is the audience important when selecting a topic?

The topic should fit the audience’s interests, needs, and level of expertise, ensuring relevance to them.

What should you consider about yourself when choosing a topic?

The topic should be something you care about, are knowledgeable about, or want to learn more about.

How should you narrow down your topic?

Narrow your topic based on the time available, the scope of the subject, and by brainstorming subtopics or using a concept map.

What are the three general purposes of a speech?

The three general purposes are to inform, to persuade, and to commemorate.

What is the focus of an informative speech?

An informative speech aims to teach the audience something, like teaching CPR steps in a class.

What is the goal of a persuasive speech?

A persuasive speech aims to change or reinforce the audience’s attitudes, actions, or beliefs.

What is a commemorative speech?

A commemorative speech celebrates or honors something, like a wedding toast celebrating a couple's marriage.

Why is audience analysis important for a presentation?

It helps you adapt your speech to meet the specific needs, interests, and characteristics of your audience.

What are demographics in the context of audience analysis?

Demographics are definable characteristics of groups, such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, and education level, which help understand audience background.

How can artifacts help you analyze your audience?

Artifacts, such as objects, pictures, or posters, reflect the values, beliefs, and interests of a group, helping you better understand your audience.

What is an informant in audience analysis?

An informant is a contact person within an organization or group who provides information about the audience’s interests, knowledge, and needs.

How can interviews help in audience analysis?

Interviews allow you to gather insights from individual audience members about their experiences and interests, helping tailor your speech to the group.

How can surveys be used to analyze an audience?

Surveys gather demographic data and audience attitudes toward specific topics through questions like multiple-choice, Likert scale, semantic differential, and open-ended formats.

What is polling the audience during a speech?

Polling the audience involves asking questions during the speech, such as raising hands to gauge their opinions, which helps engage them and learn more about their views.

How can direct observation help in audience analysis?

By observing nonverbal feedback, such as body language and facial expressions, you can gauge audience interest, engagement, or disagreement during your speech.

How should you adapt your speech based on audience analysis?

You should tailor your speech to the audience’s knowledge level, values, and attitudes. For example, provide background if they are unfamiliar with the topic or address opposing viewpoints if necessary.

Why is it important to consider your audience's nonverbal cues during a speech?

Nonverbal cues, such as nodding or frowning, indicate the audience's level of interest or agreement, helping you adjust your presentation in real time.

What are some methods to analyze your audience before a presentation?

Methods include gathering demographic data, looking at artifacts, using informants, conducting interviews, and sending surveys.

What can you do if you learn that your audience disagrees with your message?

Acknowledge opposing viewpoints and provide more evidence to support your position, using arguments that resonate with the audience's values.

Why is conducting research essential for a successful presentation?

Research helps you find credible information, enhance your credibility, and support your claims, making your presentation more engaging and persuasive.

What are five sources of information you can use for a speech?

1. Peer-reviewed academic journal articles

2. Books

3. Magazines and newspapers

4. Web and media sources

5. Interviews with experts or peers.

What are peer-reviewed academic journal articles?

They are original research studies reviewed by experts before publication, offering reliable, up-to-date information, though often with technical detail.

How can books serve as research sources?

Books provide in-depth studies, background information, or narratives that can offer comprehensive insights into a topic, useful for understanding or illustrating ideas.

How are magazines and newspapers useful in research?

They offer current events, human interest stories, and specialized content, which can provide examples and context for your topic, especially for a general audience.

How reliable are Web and media sources for research?

Websites with .gov and .edu extensions are generally reliable, while others (.com, .org) require careful evaluation for credibility, especially when researching sensitive topics.

What is the value of interviews with experts or peers?

Experts provide authoritative information based on research or professional experience, while peers offer relatable personal stories that can engage the audience.

What are four types of supporting evidence you can use in a speech?

1. Numbers and statistics

2. Examples

3. Testimony (expert or peer)

4. Definitions.

How do numbers and statistics support a presentation?

They provide quantitative data or summarize data to clarify a point, such as illustrating the extent or likelihood of a problem or impact.

How are examples used as supporting evidence?

Examples personalize concepts by showing real-life or hypothetical instances that clarify or define ideas, drawing audience attention and emotion.

What is the difference between expert and peer testimony?

Expert testimony comes from someone with specialized knowledge or experience, while peer testimony comes from someone with a shared perspective but no formal expertise.

How can definitions serve as supporting evidence in a speech?

Definitions clarify terms or concepts, especially if they are unfamiliar or have multiple meanings, and may include examples, analogies, or historical context.

How should you evaluate the credibility of a source?

Consider the source’s recency, expertise, potential bias, and consistency with other credible sources to determine its reliability for your speech.

Why is the recency of a source important?

Recent sources provide the most up-to-date and relevant information, which is especially important for topics where new developments occur frequently, like medical research.

How does the expertise of a source affect its credibility?

Sources with specialized knowledge or professional experience in a subject are more likely to provide accurate and trustworthy information than those without such expertise.

What should you do if a source is biased?

Take the bias into account, and if possible, choose sources without conflicts of interest. If using biased sources, make the audience aware of the bias.

How do you determine if information is consistent with other sources?

Cross-check information across multiple reliable sources. If most sources agree, the information is likely credible, but contradictory sources should be questioned.

What is dialogic public speaking?

Dialogic public speaking involves creating a two-way exchange of ideas between the speaker and the audience, fostering goodwill and open communication.

Why is it important to identify with your audience?

Connecting with the audience's interests, values, and concerns early in the speech helps engage them and creates a more receptive environment for your message.

How should you connect with your audience without being disingenuous?

Demonstrate an understanding of the topic from the audience's perspective without making broad or superficial statements that might come across as insincere

Why is it important to respect differences within your audience?

Audiences consist of individuals with diverse attitudes, values, and experiences. Recognizing these differences shows respect and avoids assuming all members share the same perspective.

How can keeping an open mind improve your speech?

Being open to new evidence, even if it challenges your position, helps ensure that you are presenting a well-rounded view and may lead to more credible and compelling arguments.

What is the danger of overwhelming an audience with information?

Overloading the audience with too many statistics or testimonies can confuse them. It's better to condense information into manageable pieces to help them understand and absorb your message.

Why is it important to talk with, not at, your audience?

A conversational approach encourages a two-way exchange, where the audience actively engages with the message, leading to better understanding and more meaningful interactions.

How can a speaker create a dialogic environment with a large audience?

While not entirely within the speaker's control, fostering an environment where the audience feels invited to engage and ask questions, or where their perspectives are considered, promotes dialogue.