PRESENTATION SKILLS
Welcome to Telling it Straight – the newsletter dedicated to presentation skills. In this edition we look at how you can organise better presentations.
We also have our regular Speakers Corner, Quotation Marks and Art of Presentation Gallery sections.
HOW YOU CAN ORGANISE BETTER PRESENTATIONS
How you choose to organise your presentation directly affects its delivery. For you, a well-organised presentation will be easier to deliver. And for your audience, a well-organised presentation is easier to follow, easier to listen to and easier to understand. Five organising methods are used the most. These are:
1. Mind maps. Pictures that are uniquely linked together to tell a graphic story are most people's idea of a mind map. And that's essentially right. Pictures carry more ideas, meaning and nuance than words when you are under stress during a presentation. With a picture-based mind map your presentation structure is organised with a linked network of pictures and idea flows.
2. Prompt cards. A set of small cards (postcard sized) can support all your main presentation points. Their sequential order provides the flow to your presentation. Points can be written or typed in large type – probably using one card for each point.
3. Slides and overheads. Undoubtedly the technique of choice for the harried executive. But ensure your reliance on the PowerPoint slide deck is only an organising dependency; using the screen view you can be prompted at each step of your PowerPoint presentation. But take care of the basics. Don't be tempted to use too many slides. Read more.
4. Outlines. A one or two page outline of your presentation should include each of your main points. You should also include your sub-points, cue points, places for audience interaction, stories and anecdotes.
5. Large words. Don't forget the written speech or presentation. Many serious presenters use scripts. And they are very successful. The script technique involves typing your entire presentation word by word. Each sentence should start on a new line. Your choice of typeface and font should be readable at a distance when using a lectern.
When you organise your presentation you present more efficiently. Your delivery will be better. Your pacing and timing will be well-tuned. And, best of all, your audience will appreciate your investment with a better response to your spoken words. It's worth the effort. Read more.
IN THIS ISSUE
- How You Can Organise Better Presentations
- Speaker's Corner
- Quotation Marks
- Art of Presentation Gallery
- Training Calendar
Nearly 61 years ago Jawaharlal Nehru would soon be the Prime Minister of independent India. As President of the Congress party Nehru had led the movement for an independent India that involved his brief imprisonment during WWll.
The speaker was Jawaharlal Nehru in Delhi, August 14 1947:
"At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance."
Jawaharlal Nehru.
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749-1832.
This month we look at a wit and raconteur whose sense of humour and personality ensured he remained on sound terms with Royalists and Parliamentarians during the dangerous years of the English civil war. With an early introduction to public speaking via a curacy at the age of 22, Thomas Fuller became well known for his oratory in favour of King Charles l and against Church reform. Prior to the King's death Fuller was the Royalist priest in the field for several years – and miraculously then survived Cromwell's Commonwealth before seeing the restoration of the Monarchy. Most of his sayings and witicisms remain for our benefit, including: "A wise man turns chance into good fortune."
Our PresentPerfect training course include useful tips and techniques for public speaking in less turbulent times.
The schedule for PresentPerfect training courses in August is now available.