Chapter 12: Delivering Professional
Presentations
Chapter Context
This chapter discusses characteristics of effective delivery including eye contact, posture,
movement, gestures, facial expression, vocal delivery, and personal appearance; strategies
for adapting your speaking style to the media; strategies for responding to questions
following your presentation; and presentation aids a speaker might use.
Outcome-based Outline
Outcome
Learning Objectives
Critical Thinking
12.5 Interpret the power of
visual and auditory aids as
supplements to the speech
presentation
Communication
12.1 Describe the four
common delivery methods of
communication ideas
12.3 Describe tips a speaker
should consider when
addressing the media.
12.4 Recognize tips to make
an effective question-and–
answer session after the
actual presentation
Knowledge of Discipline
12.2 Identify ways of
maximizing presentation
effectiveness
Discussion Question Bank
This discussion question bank provides a listing of discussion questions (1-2 per module),
which are included for in-class use.
Module
Discussion Question(s)
12.1 Methods of Delivering
Your Presentation
1. Discuss the advantages of manuscript speaking
over memorized speaking. In spite of all the
advantages, why do you think manuscript
speaking is not a preferred method?
2. How is impromptu speaking different from
extemporaneous speaking? Why is the latter
considered to be the best method of speaking for
most business and professional settings?
12.2 Effective Delivery
Strategies
1. Consider the last time you attended a political
speech. Analyze the elements the politician
might have considered before speaking in front
of the crowd.
2. What types of microphones are generally used?
Discuss the strategies one should adopt while
using each type of microphone.
12.3 Adapting Your
Presentation for the Media
1. Analyze the various strategies one should
consider before delivering a presentation via
video transmission.
2. Why is it necessary to choose words with care
and style while giving a presentation for the
media? Discuss the various tactics an individual
can use to enhance the likelihood that his or her
message will be quoted or broadcast.
12.4 Responding to
Questions
1. How should one prepare oneself for responding
to questions following his or her presentation?
Assess the various ways to neutralize hostile
questions.
2. Recall a scenario when you used organizational
signposts while responding to an audience
member’s question. Discuss the steps you took
to ensure you remained organized and managed
to impress the listeners with your clarity of
thought.
12.5 Presentation Aids
1. Examine the wide variety of presentation aids
one can use to enhance a message. What are the
benefits of using these aids?
2. Recall past experiences, and discuss how people
fail to use presentation aids effectively while
speaking. Examine the guidelines one must
follow to use such aids effectively.
Research Assignments
The following research assignments pertain to the main topics and/or themes of the chapter.
Please respond by writing a paper consisting of 1,000-1,500 words.
Effective Methods of Delivery for Presentations
Write a report analyzing the four methods of presentation delivery, and provide suitable
real-life examples that use of each method of delivery. In addition, evaluate which mode of
presentation delivery is most appropriate in various business and professional settings, and
why?
Experiential Activity
The Business Symposium
Goals
•
To deliver a well–organized presentation
•
To create a power point slide show that follows the theme for each member of the
symposium
Group size
Four to five members in each group
Time required
One group per class
Materials
One pocket folder for the group
Typed speeches for each group
Procedure
Group members should be dressed in business attire. The first speaker introduces the group
topic.
Each group member presents his/her speech.
Each group member at the conclusion of his/her speech introduces the
next speaker. The last speaker gives an overall conclusion for the group.
Discussion
The class critiques each speaker according to verbal, vocal and visual delivery.
Comments are made about the topic chosen by the group and the subtopics chosen by each
speaker. Comments are made on the overall group cohesiveness. How well did the group
work together?