📚English 10 Unit 15 – Oral Communication: Presenting and Discussing

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Oral communication involves conveying information through spoken words and non-verbal cues (facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice)
• Public speaking refers to the act of delivering a speech or presentation to an audience
• Rhetoric is the art of effective or persuasive speaking and writing
  • Includes the use of language, reasoning, and appeals to influence the thoughts and actions of an audience
• Ethos, pathos, and logos are three modes of persuasion used in rhetoric
  • Ethos appeals to the credibility and character of the speaker
  • Pathos appeals to the emotions of the audience
  • Logos appeals to logic and reason
• Active listening involves fully concentrating on and engaging with the speaker to understand their message
• Feedback is the response or reaction given by the audience to the speaker, which can be verbal or non-verbal (nodding, applause)

Types of Oral Communication

• Informative speeches aim to educate the audience about a specific topic or issue
  • Focus on providing facts, statistics, and explanations to increase the audience's understanding
• Persuasive speeches seek to influence the audience's beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors
  • Use arguments, evidence, and appeals to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action
• Demonstrative speeches involve explaining or showing how to do something
  • Often include visual aids or demonstrations to help the audience understand the process or concept
• Entertaining speeches aim to engage and amuse the audience
  • May include humorous anecdotes, stories, or performances
• Impromptu speeches are delivered with little or no preparation
  • Require the speaker to think on their feet and organize their thoughts quickly
• Extemporaneous speeches involve some preparation but are not fully scripted
  • Allow the speaker to adapt their content and delivery based on the audience's reactions

Planning Your Presentation

• Define the purpose of your presentation (inform, persuade, demonstrate, entertain)
• Analyze your audience to tailor your content and delivery to their needs, interests, and background
• Research your topic thoroughly to gather relevant information, statistics, and examples
• Organize your ideas into a clear and logical structure (introduction, main points, conclusion)
• Develop an engaging introduction that captures the audience's attention and establishes the purpose of your talk
• Create a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and leaves a lasting impression on the audience
• Practice your presentation multiple times to improve your delivery and timing
• Seek feedback from others and make necessary revisions to enhance the effectiveness of your presentation

Structuring Your Talk

• Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction that includes a hook (startling statistic, provocative question, personal anecdote)
  • Clearly state the purpose and main points of your presentation
• Organize the body of your presentation into clear and logical sections
  • Use transitions to smoothly connect ideas and maintain a coherent flow
• Support your main points with evidence, examples, and explanations
  • Use a mix of facts, statistics, and personal stories to engage the audience and reinforce your message
• Incorporate signposts throughout your presentation to guide the audience and highlight key information
  • Signposts can include previews, summaries, and numbered lists
• Conclude your presentation with a strong restatement of your main points and a memorable closing statement
  • End with a call to action, thought-provoking question, or powerful quote

Effective Delivery Techniques

• Maintain eye contact with your audience to establish a connection and gauge their reactions
• Use appropriate facial expressions and gestures to emphasize key points and convey emotions
• Vary your tone, pitch, and volume to add interest and avoid monotony
  • Use pauses for emphasis and to allow the audience to process information
• Maintain good posture and avoid distracting mannerisms (fidgeting, pacing, playing with objects)
• Speak at a moderate pace to ensure clarity and allow the audience to follow along
• Enunciate clearly and pronounce words correctly to enhance understanding
• Use inclusive language and avoid jargon or technical terms that may confuse the audience
• Incorporate humor, personal anecdotes, or storytelling to engage the audience and make your presentation more memorable

Visual Aids and Props

• Use visual aids (slides, charts, graphs, images) to reinforce your message and make complex information easier to understand
  • Ensure visuals are clear, legible, and visually appealing
• Limit the amount of text on each slide to prevent information overload
  • Use bullet points and concise language to convey key ideas
• Incorporate relevant images, videos, or animations to illustrate concepts and maintain audience interest
• Use props or demonstrations to make abstract ideas more concrete and engaging
  • Ensure props are visible to the entire audience and practice using them smoothly
• Avoid relying too heavily on visual aids, as they should support your presentation, not replace it
• Test your visual aids and props before the presentation to ensure they function properly

Handling Q&A Sessions

• Anticipate potential questions and prepare answers in advance
• Listen carefully to each question and ensure you understand it before responding
• Repeat or rephrase the question for the benefit of the entire audience
• Provide clear, concise, and honest answers that address the question directly
  • If you don't know the answer, admit it and offer to follow up with the information later
• Maintain a positive and professional demeanor, even when faced with challenging or hostile questions
• Encourage audience participation by inviting questions and creating an open and inclusive atmosphere
• Use the Q&A session as an opportunity to reinforce your main points and provide additional insights

Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety

• Recognize that nervousness is a normal response and can be channeled into positive energy
• Prepare thoroughly to increase your confidence and reduce anxiety
  • Practice your presentation multiple times, including in front of a mirror or a small group of friends or colleagues
• Use relaxation techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization) to calm your nerves before and during the presentation
• Focus on your message and the audience, rather than your own performance
  • Remember that the audience wants you to succeed and is interested in what you have to say
• Maintain a positive attitude and visualize a successful outcome
• Embrace your unique speaking style and authenticity, rather than trying to imitate others
• Seek opportunities to practice public speaking in low-stakes environments (Toastmasters, community groups) to build confidence over time