Module 1
Chapter 1: What is a Presentation
Merriam-Webster Definition of presentation: Something set forth for the attention of the mind
Effective communication is needed for personal life to clarify needs or explain actions. You need to be able to organize thoughts and communicate them in a way that captures the attention of the mind within the audience.
Elements of a Presentation
Elements to consider: the audience, the message, the method, and the setting
The Presenter
The person delivering the speech/presentation. Must consider how their knowledge and expertise as well as their passions can be delivered to meet expectations of other elements of presentation.
The Message
The overall concept; takes a theme and delivers the importance of it to the listeners. Should provide value to the listener while aligning with the passion of the presenter.
The Audience
Group of listeners hearing presentation (most important element). Approach building the presentation with the question: “why should my audience care?”
The Method
Way the speech was delivered. Some factors that presentation unique: the presentation aids created, setting for presentation, delivery style, time of day.
Chapter 2: Nervousness
Identifying and Managing Symptoms of Public Speaking Anxiety
Common symptoms: Feeling Tense, Blushing, Increased Heart rate, Sweating, Breathing Rapidly, Trembling, Gastrointestinal Issues, or Nausea
Feeling Tense, Increased Heart Rate, Breathing Rapidly
These can be relieved by breathing deeply, aiding in subsiding palpitations. More severe heart rhythms may need you to splash cold water on your face, stimulating the nerve that regulates heart rate.
Blushing
Uncontrollable and almost untreatable. Preventative measures include deep breathing and staying hydrated with cool water. Blushing can occur if speaker gets too hot. Wear layers to adapt to the temperature of the room. If anxiety causes blushing, wear cooler colors to deemphasize the blush color.
Sweating
To prevent anxious sweating, carefully choose clothing that is absorbent or breathable. You can also choose stronger antiperspirant. Deep breathing can also help you to slow your sweat gland.
Gastrointestinal Issues or Nausea
Plan ahead with your meals. Heavy or savory can sit uncomfortably; light or bland meals are better. If the gastrointestinal issues are severe, consider antacids or other medication.
Trembling
Deep breathing can help, but this issue can be distracting. Make sure you are intentional with your hand placement and stance. Holding paper or cards can make noise. Knowing what to expect and having experience with presenting aids in relieving anxiety. Anxiety can be managed not to be distracting.
Using Physical and Vocal Mechanics to Release Nervous Energy
Physical Mechanics:
Hand gestures
Planting feet firmly on the ground
Utilizing a podium to anchor hands
Having facial expression to engage the audience
Vocal Mechanics:
Boosting volume reduces voice shaking and requires effort for breathing
Setting Realistic Goals for the Presentation
Setting goals to eliminate anxiety is unrealistic. You should strive to manage and anticipate.
Possible goals: improving volume, building in pauses, avoiding rubble or sland, speaking slow and steady, and having a strong stance
Best thing is to prepare for worst-case scenario.
Chapter 3: Physical Mechanics
Physical mechanics are foundation for a great speech/presentation.
The four different physical mechanics are stance, eye contact, facial expression, and gestures
Stance
A correct stance shows your are confident and will also help you breather deep and strong. A strong and deep breath also helps calm nerves and limit shakiness. Wandering or swaying back and forth is very distracting.
Have feet planted, hip width apart, and without the knees locked. Shoulders rolled back. Chin at natural level.
Eye Contact
Audiences need to trust the speaker, which eye contact will aid. Gaze at an audience member for 2-3 seconds.
Facial Expression
Facial expressions can connect the speaker to the audiences because their expressions can enhance the spoken words or phrases.
Gestures
It would be best to hold hands at sides, but resting them on the podium can help if you are fidgety. Keep gestures purposeful to complement the phrases. Keep gestures between shoulder and waist.
Chapter 4: Vocal Mechanics
Essential elements of strong vocal mechanics: tone, pitch, intonation, volume, rate, and pauses
Tone, Pitch, and Intonation
Tone: the pitch of a word often used to express differences of meaning; a sound of definite pitch or vibration; manner of expression when speaking; accent or inflection expressive of a mood or emotion.
Intonation: the use of tone and pitch while speaking (like the waves in a sound file).
Lacking intonation sounds boring.
Vocal fry: is a low-vibration sounding like creaking in a voice often at the end of a phrase. Speaker will sound disengaged, underwhelmed, and bored.
Uptalk: “Valley Girl”. intonation rises at the end of each statement. Sounds like a question.
Speak at the deepest level while comfortable because lower voices indicate leadership.
Volume
If you feel like you are speaking loud enough, you need to go up one more level. Bigger room mean louder voice required. Have a strong voice by engaging the diaphragm to force air over vocal chords to be louder.
Rate
Rate: how fast you speak.
It should be slower than what you talk at a normal setting. To prevent yourself from talking fast, keep reminders on your notes and also practice at half-speed. Build intentional pauses.
Pauses
Not pausing will lead to two possible outcomes:
Really Fast Rate
Rubble Words - which are the words that fill in all the holes between phrases, little scraps of verbiage that are not part of the completed structure content in a speech. Common words are like, you know, umm, so, ok, you know what I’m saying.
Chapter 5: Presentation Methods
There are four core methods of presenting to choose: Manuscript, Memorized, Impromptu, and Extemporaneous
Manuscript Method
It is often used when a specific message must be shared word for word. They must do so for time, legality, or professionalism.
It is not recommended for most speakers because it is time-intensive and limits the ability to deliver a dynamic presentation. Must have time to write the script and rehearse.
It can also impact the delivery of an inexperienced presenter. Often, the message will sound robotic.
This is best for shorter presentations. Rehearse early to have a conversational manner.
Memorized
Memorization is even more difficult and time consuming than a manuscript presentation. The presenter must recite the notes word for word by memory. The greatest risk is losing their words and mind going blank.
It is used for speeches no longer than a minute or two like an introduction, toasts, an acceptance speech, or thank you.
Impromptu
This is off the top of your head, but with preparation in advance. It can be used for interviews, question and answer sessions, conference room meetings, and any other situations similar to these.
To prepare: first understand what you think about things, your opinions, and why having them will shape how you think. Second, anticipate these type of events.
Impromptu method is about knowing your perspective and point of view, answering in a way that reflects that to the audience.
Extemporaneous
Combines a set of well-researched notes (not a script) with a conversational tone for natural delivery. It achieves efficiency in areas of preparation and practice. Content not scripted, but rather uses an outline with abbreviated cues.
Very beneficial in that it supports conversational style, allowing for flexibility with content, and creating more time for rehearsal. Less time writing content. A simple outline allows one to fit new info or content.
Chapter 24: Successful Incorporation of Technology in Presentations
Types of Tech
Today, Zoom and Microsoft Teams are valuable tools. They allow you to create a meeting and have one live. Have free options. Sessions can be recorded and archived or shared.
Recordings can be made on content-creating platforms. Just the slideshow and no face is boring.
Video Details
You need to consider details like backgrounds, microphones, clothing, camera orientation, lighting, and rehearsal
Backgrounds: it needs to have horizontal orientation. Background needs neutral and solid colors, minimal decoration, professional, and limited personal items. Includes audio elements as well. Change smoke alarm battery.
Some platforms allow virtual background. Make sure to that filters don’t have you as a cat.
Using the built-in mic may not provide with the best quality. Utilize headphones or earbuds.
Lighting important. Without good lighting, much of the screen is dark, and the presenter is hard to see. Turn off ceiling fans. Lights above and in front of you.
Clothing should be simple professional with solid cool colors. Limit the use of patterns, they can cause a strobing effect. Have higher neckline, solid fabric, and top without buttons. Even if on a Zoom call, they could ask you to stand, so be fully dressed.
Don’t read notes on screen or constantly check your appearance. Your audience will know.
Prop the camera above eye level for most flattering appearance.
Preparation
Never trust it to be fail/foolproof. Always double check the day before and the day of the presentation. Know your platform and its capabilities. Make sure to have the info and presentation ready to be accessed. You can record and run back through presentations to see any flaws or problems. Test visual aids. Update software and firmware.
Technology Fails
Always have backups. Presentation aids should be saved in multiple locations. Consider a cloud service, flash drive, and/or a saved file. During rehearsal, refresh memory on how to adjust issues.
Make sure to have a location with strong internet. Reset the router to make sure internet is working.