Strategies for Improving Oral Presentation.

1. Determine the purpose

o To Inform
o To Persuade
o To entertain

2. Analyze the audience and occasion

o As in writing, knowledge of the audience is significant for

communicating effectively.

3. Select the main idea for the message.

o Select your main theme or your core ideas should be done first. Then
gathering additional information will be in support of those core ideas.

4. Research the topic

o In writing, you need to collect facts, data and information to support your
findings.

5. Organizing the data and write the draft

o Once the information has been gathered, you need to organize the data
and form an initial outline that would enhance the knowledge pertaining
to Introduction, Body & Summary/Conclusion. The Introduction must
consist of PAL approach.

6. Create Visual Aids

7. Rehearse the talk

Ways of delivering the Oral Message

1. Extemporaneous

o The method is most preferred by audience and speakers that allows a

speaker to use note or an outline. He or she usually may use 3*5 inch cue
cards or a full sheet of a paper as notes for the remarks.

2. Reading

o Major political figures and others who do not want to make a mistake
read a manuscript.

3. Memorization

o Few speakers memorize complete speeches. A risk of memorization is

forgetting you precise words; examining for words in front of the
audience decreases the credibility.
 4. Impromptu

o Many of the individuals are invited to comment on what has been

presented or give conclusions. When you speak ‘off the cuff’ without
preparation, without a forewarning that you will speak, you are speaking
‘Impromptu’

Strategies for an Effective Oral Delivery

One of your personal signatures is your voice; varying pitch, rate and volume gives it
more interest and appeal.
1. Pitch

o Monotone
o High Voice or Low Voice

2. Rate

o Variation in rate of speaking words is better than speaking in the same

speed.

3. Volume

o Contrast in Emphasis
o Controlled Breathing

4. Vocal Quality

o Clarity in speaking words so that they are easily understandable by the

audience.

5. Pronunciation

o Jargons
o Varied Regional Accents
o Added or omitted sounds.

Strategies for an Effective Non Verbal Delivery

6. Posture

o Posture, is how you stand, even sit, communicate something about you
as a communicator

7. Movement

o Move to hold attention

o Move to get rid of Nervousness
o Move to suggest Transitions
o Move to increase emphasis
 8. Gestures

o Emblems : Arm wave for Hello or Good Bye

o Illustrators: Arm used to describe a circle or finger point to emphasize
o Affect Displays: Use of Emotional state i.e. happy, sad, anger, fear etc.
o Regulators: use body movement of audiences to search out responses.
o Adapters: Unintentional movements i.e. twisting a pencil.
o To Emphasize: hitting the palm, shaking it upright.
o To Point: the index finger calls for attention focus on locations/ directions
o To describe: Clearly though the picture does not give an idea.

9. Facial Expressions

10. Appearance

o Western attire is accepted throughout the world. Conversely. Western

business person must recognize that other nations may have different
dress codes.

Strategies to Reduce Stage Frights

1. Know your subject well. Prepare with attitude that you want to know the subject,
on that day, better than anyone else

2. Rehearse your talk several times

3. Request in advance for a lectern.

4. Pre-check any equipment you’ll need

5. Take an object with you – a pen, your notes, a marking pencil. Using it as a
pointer or something to touch has mostly calmed the speakers.

6. Breathe deeply and slowly before speaking.

7. Move during the speech. Some movement holds audience attention and release
nervous energy.

8. Approach the lectern with assurance and enthusiasm.