Public Speaking/Presentation Skills

Even if you don't need to make regular presentations in front of a group, there are plenty of situations where good public speaking/presentation skills can help you advance your career and create opportunities. You might have to talk about your company at a conference, make a speech after accepting an award, or teach a class to new employees.

Good public speaking skills are important in other areas of your life as well. You might be asked to make a speech at a friend's wedding, give a eulogy for… Show more a loved one, or inspire a group of volunteers at a charity event. In short, being a good public speaker can enhance your reputation, boost your self-confidence, and open up countless opportunities.

However, while good public speaking skills can open doors, poor speaking skills can close them. For example: your boss might decide against promoting you after sitting through a poorly delivered presentation, you might lose a valuable new contract by failing to connect with a prospect during a sales pitch, or you could make a poor impression with your new team because you trip over your words and don't look people in the eye.

In the final module of this class each student will deliver a 15 minute presentation on the subject of their choice. We will do the presentation preparation as we progress through the class. Before you come to class you should choose the topic of your speech, do your research, and bring any supporting materials necessary like visual aids. What most students find useful is to use a presentation they have already prepared or one they are currently working on.

Class Outline

Module One: Getting Started
Workshop Objectives

Module Two: Identifying Your Audience
Performing a Needs Analysis
Creating an Audience Profile or Analysis
Identifying Key Questions and Concerns

Module Three: Types of Speeches/Presentations
Informative Speeches
Demonstrative Speeches
Persuasive Speeches
Special Occasions

Module Four: Choosing Your Delivery Methods
Basic Methods
Advanced Methods
Basic Criteria to Consider

Module Five: Organizing the Program
Making Organization Easy
Organizational Methods
Problem-Solution
Classifying and Categorizing
Chronological
Spatial
Causal
Topical

Module Six: Creating a Basic Outline
Basic Speech Outline
Presenting a Project Report
Identifying the Task That Had to Be Performed
Listing the Actions You Took
Revealing the Results

Module Seven: Providing the Details
Identifying Appropriate Sources
Establishing Credibility
The Importance of Citations

Module Eight: Creating Fantastic Flip Charts
Required Tools
The Advantages of Pre-Writing
Using Colors Appropriately
Flip Chart Usage
Creating a Plan B

Module Nine: Creating Compelling PowerPoint Presentations
Required Tools
Tips and Tricks
Creating a Plan B

Module Ten: Wow ‘Em with the Whiteboard
Traditional and Electronic Whiteboards
Using Colors Appropriately
Creating a Plan B

Module Eleven: Vibrant Videos and Amazing Audio
Required Tools
Tips and Tricks
Creating a Plan B

Module Twelve: Putting It All Together
Writing Your Presentation
Adding a Plan B
Reviewing, Editing, and Rewriting

Module Thirteen: Being Prepared
Checking Out the Venue
Gathering Materials
A 24 Hour Checklist

Module Fourteen: Overcoming Nervousness
A Visit from the Boss
Preparing Mentally
Physical Relaxation Techniques
Appearing Confident in Front of the Crowd

Module Fifteen: Delivering Your Speech/Presentation
Starting Off on the Right Foot
Register
Using Visual Aids
Checking the Volume of Your Voice
During Your Speech
Adjusting on the Fly
Gauging Whether Breaks Are Required
Wrapping Up and Winding Down

Module Sixteen: Questions and Answers
Ground Rules
Answering Questions That Sound Like an Attack
Dealing with Complex Questions
Words from the Wise

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