Key terms: public speaking, effective presentation, oral reports, purposes of the presentation, an introduction, a body, a conclusion, an outline, modes of delivery, team presentation.
Exercise 1. Review questions.
1. In your own words explain why speech is an important part of your personality and why public speaking is a significant determinant of your success?
2. Describe the steps suggested to organize your oral presentation successfully.
3. What are the possible: a) general purposes of a presentation? b) specific purposes of a presentation?
4. Compare a covert response to an overt response. Give three examples of each.
5. What is meant by audience analysis?
6. What are the basic questions to which you should seek answers when analyzing the audience?
7. Describe the structure of an oral report.
8. Explain the relationships between central idea, main idea and supporting materials.
9. What are four commonly used sequences of main points?
10. What are the guidelines to help a person to make an effective presentation?
11. What main modes of delivery do public speakers use?
12. Compare team and individual presentations. What should you bear in mind preparing team presentations?
13. How can the fear of giving a speed be overcome?
Exercise 2. Prepare and present to your class a report of approximately 750 words on one of the following issues:
a) building or expanding residence accommodation at your university;
b) food service at your university;
c) freedom of information at the university;
d) library facilities at your university;
e) smoking policy at your university;
f) admission to your university.
Exercise 3. Do a written audience analysis of your business communication class. Detail the ways in which the class members are similar and the ways in which they are different.
Exercise 4. Assuming your class as an audience, develop a five-minute speech on the subject of your academic researches. Describe the factors from your audience analysis (Exercise 3) that most influenced your approach.
Exercise 5. Give a one-minute impromptu speech on a topic selected by someone else in your class. During that minute try to present one main idea and support it as well as you can.
Exercise 6. Tape-record one of your speeches and write a two-page evaluation of it.
Exercise 7. Select a product or service and develop a 5-minute persuasive presentation to sell the product or service to your class.
Exercise 8. In groups of four or five, prepare a team presentation to be given before the class. Select a subject and divide it among the team members. Each team member should have a specific role. The class members who are the audience should be told the kind of group they are to represent. Following each team presentation the class will do an evaluation.
Exercise 9. Name a public figure whom you have seen give a speech (either in person or on television). Describe what you think he or she should do to become a better public speaker.
Exercise 10. Obtain a copy of an annual report of a company or organization in your field. Prepare an oral report for your class on the organization of the report, indicating its strengths and weaknesses.
Exercise 11. CASE
THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Julie C. Burkhard
Jeffrey Faught is the director of the chamber of commerce in Eastman, a small town with a population of approximately 3000. Although the town is relatively small, it is growing every year.
Faught has been working to bring industry to Eastman for about two years. Presently the town has no industries at all. Most of the people in Eastman are local businessmen or farmers. Faught believes the town needs some industry, because it would not only strengthen the economy, it would also create more jobs. With jobs come people, and people need homes to live in; therefore, real estate would gain from the industry as well.
Faught's problem is with the city council and the townspeople. The townspeople want a park and recreational area built where the plant would be built. The city council must decide whether to grant a zoning change for the new industry or the new park.
The second Tuesday night of every month, the city council meets. The public is invited, so anyone may attend. This particular Tuesday, both Faught from the chamber of commerce and the townspeople for the park plan to attend.
Faught decides he must make his stand known to both the council and the people. He has not given many speeches, but he knows this presentation must be very persuasive.
The townspeople have wanted a park for their children for years. They believe their town is doing just fine without industry. In the past, the city council has shared this same belief.
Faught is faced with the job of convincing both the council and the people to change their views.
- What should Jeffrey Faught take into consideration when analyzing his audience?
- How might he organize his presentation to accomplish his persuasive purpose?
- Knowing that Faught has to overcome the objections of the council and the people, what modes of proof should he attempt to employ?
(From "Business Communication. Strategies and Skills"
by R.Huseman, D.Stockmayer, J.Hatfiels, J.Lahiff, J.Penrose)
As an appendix to this course, you will find Sample Report "Introducing flexible hours into head office". Study the Sample Report and prepare the report of your own based on the information of the company you work for.