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Introduction to Software Engineering

Lecture 41 – Communication Skills

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Acknowledgements

This presentation is based largely on MIT Communication Skills Lectures.

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Lecture Outline Giving Oral Presentation

Formulate a strategy Choose an appropriate structure Create visual aids to enhance your

presentation Strive for effective and natural delivery Handle Q & A effectively

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Giving Oral Presentation Formulate a strategy Choose an appropriate structure Create visual aids to enhance your

presentation Strive for effective and natural delivery Handle Q & A effectively

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Analyzing the Situation

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Communication Strategy Content

How much detail on a method? How much detail on findings?

Style Level of technical language? Appeal to general audience?

Structure

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Giving Oral Presentation Formulate a strategy Choose an appropriate structure Create visual aids to enhance your

presentation Strive for effective and natural delivery Handle Q & A effectively

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Cognitive Processing Constraints

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Structure Approaches

Direct

(Easier to follow)

Indirect (often conventional)

Informative Main result, followed by evidence

Evidence, leading to results

Persuasive Overall arguments backed by evidence

Evidence leading to overall arguments

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Deciding on a Structure

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Planning segments of presentations Introduction

Arouse interest and show relevance to audience Establish credibility State main message (if direct) or preview agenda.

Body Limit to 5 major sections or points Adjust detail to audience background and needs Clarify process through agenda

Conclusion Make or recap main points

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Giving Oral Presentation Formulate a strategy Choose an appropriate structure Create visual aids to enhance your

presentation Strive for effective and natural delivery Handle Q & A effectively

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Creating Visual Aids: Functions

Clarify structure Emphasize important ideas Illustrate relationships or objects visually Enhance and maintain interest

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Creating appropriate medium for visual aids

For example, Transparencies Advantages

Easy and inexpensive Flexible Low tech and relatively dependable

Remember: You are the presentation – the visuals are not.

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Giving Oral Presentation Formulate a strategy Choose an appropriate structure Create visual aids to enhance your

presentation Strive for effective and natural

delivery Handle Q & A effectively

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Delivering your presentation Verbal – sound natural & conversational

Tone, pitch, pace Fluency

Nonverbal – Project confidence & enthusiasm Confidence Movement, use of space Gestures Eye contacts and facial expressions.

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Giving Oral Presentation Formulate a strategy Choose an appropriate structure Create visual aids to enhance your

presentation Strive for effective and natural delivery Handle Q & A effectively

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Answering Questions Plan for questions & practice answers Answer effectively

Listen carefully to whole question Buy time to think Be honest about what you don’t know. Avoid dialogues with one person Handle inappropriate questions quickly and

tactfully End Q & A by restating your point.

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Key Points Points to remember

Formulate a strategy Choose an appropriate structure Create visual aids to enhance your

presentation Strive for effective and natural delivery Handle Q & A effectively