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CHAPTER ELEVEN: MANAGING PRESENTATIONAL SKILLS IN THE WORKPLACE
Objectives
Understand how to present messages with clear language
Identify steps to improve vocal delivery in speech presentations
Develop enhanced non-verbal delivery in speaking before audiences
Effectively use visual aids in a public presentation
Apply skills in using PowerPoint slides for presentations
Key Words
Presentational skills, language style, vividness, clarity, simple vs. complex, relational, concrete
vs. abstract, technical language, connotation, delivery skills, vocal, bodily, presentational,
manuscript delivery, memorized delivery, impromptu delivery, extemporaneous delivery, visual
aids, PowerPoint
On the Internet
Chapter Teaching Notes
I. Language Style in Communication
A. Use colorful adjectives creates a mental or emotional picture for an audience
member
B. Use metaphors
C. Use narratives
D. Clarity
2. Use simple rather than complex words
4. Balance the use of technical language
E. Apply relational language
F. Consider the connotations of words refers to the that words induce
II. Applying Communication Delivery Skills to Presentations
A. Characteristics of effective vocal delivery
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1. Vary voice pitch
3. Vary volume of speech
4. Use strategic pauses
B. Coordinate Bodily Delivery with the
message
1. Practice and polish
3. Use appropriate and well timed movements
C. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
2. Using one vocal characteristic
3. Unnatural delivery
4. Moving randomly
6. Looking at one side of the audience only
7. Looking above heads
8. Using verbal pauses
10. Over-gesturing distractions
11. Over-reliance on notes
III. Four Approaches Delivery of Content
A. Manuscript speech is written and delivered by reading aloud to the audience
B. Memorized commits presentation to memory
C. Impromptu speaking without any specific prior preparation for the speech
D. Extemporaneous
1. Speaking from notes that contain key words, key phrases, and key
ideas
2. Guidelines for good extemporaneous speaking:
a. Memorize the first two or three lines of your introduction
b. Write down key phrases that give vividness and clarity of
language
c. Keep main points in order so that you are not lost or confused
IV. Using Visual Techniques in Presentations
A. Choices of visual aids
1. Face-to-face with little visual material
3. Handouts, objects, sounds, models
5. PowerPoint presentations
B. Public speaking presentation rules for visual
1. Do not use visuals if they are not needed use when technical help is
in order
2. Talk to the audience, not the visual aid
4. Show the aid only at the point where it is being used cover it other
times
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5. Make it large enough
7. Keep as much light on as possible
9. Use transitions to introduce the visual
V. Ethics in Presentations
Class Exercises
1. Objective: Creating an understanding of language style in communication.
Time: 30-45 minutes in class
Directions: Students should work in groups to come up with their answers. Divide
students
into
5-7 groups. Assign each group the responsibility of writing a different part of a speech
group one writes an intro, another the first proposition, and so on through the
conclusion. They
can make up whatever they feel fits the speech topic the goal is to write the speech using the
2. Objective: Practicing delivery skills in classroom presentations. (Worksheet available)
Time: 30-45 minutes in groups
Directions: Have students break into groups of 3 or 4. Each student should be given one of the
paragraphs below. They are to read their paragraph to the other group members as though they
3. Objective: Practice speaking techniques through impromptu speeches, as well as decrease
communication apprehension.
Time: Varies, works well to fill in class time when lectures or other activities are complete
Directions: Make a photocopy of the worksheet and cut each question into a strip so that each
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Impromptu speech topics
What is your favorite childhood memory?
What do you envision yourself doing in ten years?
If you could work for any company, which would you choose and why?
If you could study abroad anywhere, where would you go? Why?
What is your dream career and why?
What person has made the most impact on your life?
If you could be doing anything else right now, what would you be doing?
If you had to choose between being rich or famous, which would you choose?
If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go? Why?
What was your favorite subject before you came to college? Why?
If you could choose between reading a book or a magazine, and watching a drama movie or
an action movie, which would you choose and what does that say about you?
Who is your favorite musician or band and why?
If you could live anywhere you wanted, where would you move?
What is your favorite sports team? Why?
Which grade of school did you like the best and why?
Who is your hero? Why?
Which holiday is your favorite and why?
What season of the year do you like the best? Why?
If you could have any car or boat, which would you buy?
What is your favorite movie?
4. Objective: Create a better understanding of the benefits and constraints of manuscript
speaking.
Time: Out of class 60 minutes+, in class varies according to the number of
students Directions:
Ask students to write a 2-page essay on a specific topic. Then have them prepare the essay as
a manuscript speech to be given to the class the next week. After they have given their
speeches, conduct a class discussion on how they felt about the process the pros and cons
would they do it again?
Some ideas for essay topics include: What man/woman has most influenced your life?, Who
is your hero?, What important lesson has life taught you?
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think that language style matters with all audiences?
2. Can you think of a time when you were listening to a speaker who used words that might
have had a connotation other than what he or she intended for the message?
3. Why is a speaker who uses monotone pitch so boring to listen
to?
4. Think of one of the best speakers that you have heard, which delivery approach do they
use? Does their delivery method enhance their speaking skills?
5. Why do you think it is suggested to speak off a key word outline instead of a formal
outline?
6. What are some examples of when you have seen visual aids improve a speech? When
have you seen visual aids hinder or lessen the effects of a speech?