PRESENTATION SKILLSFOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES

by Elisabeth Dols – De Rooij

Communication Specialist

Communication =

Realizationwww.communication-realization.com

Top ten fears 1. Snakes 51%2. Speaking in public 40%3. Heights 36%4. Being closed in a small space 34%5. Spiders and insects 27%6. Needles and getting shots 21%7. Mice 20%8. Flying on a plane 18%9. Dogs 11%9. Thunder and lightning 11%9. Crowds 11%10. Going to the doctor 9%

* Gallup Poll, February 18-21, 2001 (1,016 respondents + or -3%)

Training outline• Discussion: Your perspective - Your objective

• ACTION • Presentation & Communication objectives• Communication Process• Non verbal communication – The Mehrabian Myth• 7 Characteristics of Great Speakers• Speech construction - Where do you start?• Audience attention span – Signposting

• ACTION II• Preparing for your audience: four primary

communication styles• Speech content: introduction, main body, closing word • Handling questions

Training outline continued

• Speech presentation - The Delivery • ACTION III• Time Management• Visual Aids• Presenting Data• Stress management• 5 Aspects deserving attention• Common presenter mistakes• Techniques of speech

THE END

What is a memorable presentation? What will the audience remember?

Can you think of a presentation which was memorable for the wrong reasons?

What is an academic presentation? What makes a presentation academic? Why or how is it different from any other presentation? Or is it? Or should it be?

DISCUSSION POINTS_______________________________________________________________

Is this academic?

Source: http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html

What is the most difficult aspect of presenting? Why?

Are you nervous when you have to present?What is the worst thing that can happen?

Where do you think you need improvement?

What do you hope to learn from this training?

YOUR PERSPECTIVE _______________________________________________________________

► it puts you on display

► it allows you to present ideas, concepts, your expertise

► it allows you to raise issues

► it allows you to establish meaning (personal as well as target audience)

► it could provide valuable input in your decision making (feedback)

WHAT CAN A PRESENTATION DO FOR YOU?

There is nothing wrong with stomach butterflies…

…you just have to get them to fly in formation. Author unknown

ACTION

Interview the person sitting next to you. Use a metaphor to present this person to the group

“Think of a metaphor as a connection

or a bridge between the new and the familiar.”

Time ManagementPreparation: 3 minutesPresentation: 1 minute

Communication objectives Message RESPONSIBILITY CONSCIOUS SENDER MEDIA EXPERIENCE channel STIMULI FEEDBACK SIGNAL short term long term DECODING knowledge UNCONSCIOUS Process CODING interpretation memory NOISE

MOTIVATION RECEIVER discrimination

The objective of communication is not the transmission but the <RECEPTION>

The objective of communication is to make your message understood <CLARITY> and be remembered

The objective of communication is <CONNECTING>

Communication Objectives

Signal Signal

Coding

Decoding Interpretation

COMMUNICATION PROCESS

ReceiverSender Channel

Sensorycoding

Primaryaffectivereaction

Cognitiveelaboration

RetrievalFeedback

Unconsciousmemory

Conscious memory Short term memory

recognition discrimination

Model“Receiver communication”

Long term memory

Stimuli of theenvironment

sender

THE MEHRABIAN MYTH

55% of the message is body language (facial expression)

38% is delivered through vocal tones (intonation) 7% is content (words)

WORDS REALLY MATTER

SPEAKING TRANSFERS ENERGY WITH WORDS

Top 7 Characteristics of Great Speakers

1. Solid Content2. Humorous3. Organized4. Approachable5. Authentic 6. Natural 7. Passionate

1. Speech CONSTRUCTION (Content)

2. Speech PRESENTATION (The Delivery)

3. Stress MANAGEMENT (Planning | Preparation)

PRESENTATION ASPECTS

Are you convincing? Informing? Persuading?

Conceptual framework (connect all aspects of inquiry)

The Crucial Question (What is?)

Literature review (provide context for reader)

Creative elements: include visuals

CONTENT

► Formulate your objectives Who, what, why, when, how◄ Identify with your audience Who are they? What are their aims & objectives? What is their communication style? How am I going to move them? How will I keep them interested? ► Structure your speech Intro – Body – Closing Signposting

Know Your AudienceWho are they?

What do they want?

What do they know?

What can I tell them?

Where can I take them?

Journey of the AudienceHow do I prepare them?

How I am going to move them?

How do I keep their interest?

Audience attention span

Mills, H.R. (1977) Techniques of Technical Training, 3rd Ed. Macmillan, London

Signposting

‘Verbal paragraphs’ or

‘verbal signs’ which raises the attention curve at the beginning and at the end of each point

Start Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Finish

Signposting helps you structure and shape the main content of your presentation

Time

Aud

ienc

e at

tent

ion

Signposting language (handout) helps you to guide(navigate) the audience and peak their interest time and time again

ACTION II Past_______Present _______ Future

Past: Tell us about a pivotal moment in your lifeWhat happened?

What did you do to save the situation?

Present: What have you learned from this experience?

Closing statement: Knowing what you know now, how would you handle this situation in the future?

Time ManagementPreparation: 3 minutes

Presentation: 2 minutes max

Be Crystal ClearBEING readily seen, perceived, or understood

FREE from deceit

& TRANSPARENT

Four Primary Communication Styles

DNA Behavior International © 2011

5901-A Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30328

= Relationship maintainer

= Calms excited people

= Loyal, caring and possessive

= Patient

= Concentrates on tasks

= Slow decision maker

= Excellent listener

= Dislikes interpersonal conflicts

= Asks questions about specific details

= Accurate and perfectionist

= Follows directives, policies and standards

= Likes structure

= Overly relies on data collection

= Critical thinker

= Logical, rational, objective

= Works slowly and precisely preferably alone

= Makes statements

= Tells others what to do

= Highly competitive, plays to win

= Accepts challenges

= Pragmatic, assertive and confident

= Likes to be in control

= Dislikes inaction

= Cool and independent

= High risk taker

= Creator

= Verbally articulate

= Enthusiastic

= Likes to have fun

= Distracted - jumps from one activity to another

= Emotionally optimistic

= Problem solving oriented

3 CONTENT PARTS OF A SPEECH

1.1. GET ATTENTION “ HOOKER” Joke, impact, metaphor, start with a question Excuses are wrong “hookers”

1.2. ESTABLISH A THEME to start the audience thinking, bring their own experience back into their minds, help them to remember

1. INTRODUCTION (5 elements)

1.3. PRESENT A STRUCTURE Why this topic? Make no assumptions about the audience Announce structure of the speech: outline/duration 1.4. CREATE A RAPPORT Compatibility Sympathy Understanding Trust How do you wish to appear?

1.5 ADMINISTRATION Administrative details which need to be announced at the beginning.

1. INTRODUCTION (5 elements) continued

2. MAIN BODY

2.1. THESIS - AMPLIFICATION MODEL - Clarifying thesis

2.2. CHRONOLOGICAL MODEL - Historical overview

2.3. ANECDOTE MODEL - Personal experiences, conclusion

2.4 TWO COLUMN MODEL - Controversial topics

2.5 QUESTIONING MODEL - (Rhetorical) questions raised

3. CLOSING WORD

The final impression you makewill be remembered!

♦ You end it!

♦ Reiterate your main points!

♦ Give the audience something to think about!

♦ Ask for questions/opinion!

♦ Thank your audience!

Bad example

Good example

http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/

© The English Language Centre 2000 - 2012

THE DELIVERY

The audience does not care how much you know,

they want to know how much you care!

ACTION III “Selling Your Dream”

Topic: Talk about something you are truly passionate

about.Anything goes!

Apply: intro, main body and closing statement

Ask: for feedback or questions

Time managementPreparation: 15 minutes

Presentation: 3 minutes max

15 minutes presentation=

15 slides max

Never negotiate about time (extension)!

Using PowerPoint Effectively- One topic per slide

- + 7 words per sentence

- + 7 sentences per slide

- Data, diagrams, graphs and figures, should be supporting, not misleading

- Do not talk to the PowerPoint presentation!

PRESENTING DATASAMPLE

Eric Berlow: How complexity leads to simplicity

OPPORTUNITY OR THREAT?

Expected ‘graying in The Netherlands by 2025.Percentage elderly of total population in 2025. Source: Central Bureau of Statistics (2007)

18 - 20%

20 - 22%

22- 24%

24% or more

ActionDemographic facts It’s all about positioning

► Pick a partner► Discuss an astonishing demographic fact about your country’s population ► Create a bar chart, graph, pie chart, table or simply pick a visual ► Present your fact to the group Time management Preparation: 30 minutes Presentation: 3 minutes max

REDUCE STRESS by

Great preparation; rehearsing not memorizing; good construction of your speech; knowing your audience; owning your subject matter; testing the equipment you will use; creating support materials.

Your audience wants you to succeed. They’re on your side.They’re glad it’s you up there and not them!

5 ASPECTS WHICH DESERVE ATTENTION

1. Eye contact

The eyes are the keys to the soul

► convincing: your honesty, openness, confidence in the objective of your presentation

2. Voice

► projection and variation► vary the pitch and tempo of your presentation

3. Expression

► make sure your facial expressions are natural;

►make sure your facial expressions match your message

4. Appearance

► When you are giving a presentation dress for the audience,

not for yourself

5. Posture and Body stance Use your whole body as a dynamic tool

► Stand firmly rooted (posture) Body orientation: shoulders in direction of your audience

► Starting position: assume a positive attitude

► Support the content Intentional beckoning with gestures, signals Appeal to the audience & attract

1. Lack of focus 2. Unprepared 3. Lateness 4. The wrong image 6. Ineffective use of visual aids 7. Too much material 8. Monotonous 9. No audience relation/knowledge10. Weak evidence

ONE MINUTE

What is your USP? ~Unique Selling Proposition~

TRICKS OF THE TRADE

● Connect from the start with your audience• Be real/ Be clear/Be alert - shift if necessary• Repeat/recapitulate• Narrate – communicate your message using imagery• Draw a picture or a sign• Use the right amount of humor • Use appropriate quotations (credit the source)

…continued

• Presentation tools: keep it short and simple• Pace yourself• Practice Practice Practice • Dress for success• Relax• Thank your audience• Evaluate /ask for feedback/follow up

“You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”

Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005

THANK YOUFOR YOUR ATTENTION

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!Luck has nothing to do with success!

Work hard, be keen and be consistent with your efforts.

E.M.M. Dols Communication Specialist

Hofstraat 56191 HT Beek

The NetherlandsM +31 (0)6 1278 1246

E-mail: connect@communication-realization.com Website: www.communication-realization.com

COPYRIGHT 2008-2017 COMMUNICATION-REALIZATION All rights reserved Creative Commons License The content of Communication-Realization Presentation Skills for Academic Purposes by E.M.M. Dols is licensed according to the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported