Presentation/Speech

Posted on 27th Jul 2023 10:00:40 in General

Presentation/Speech

What is a Presentation/Speech?

A presentation/speech is an oral communication that is delivered to an audience to share information, arguments, opinion or ideas on a particular topic. It can be formal or informal. Presentations and speeches take various forms which include:

1. Informative – This form of presentations and speeches provide facts and explanations about a particular topic. Its goal is to educate the audience to increase their knowledge and understanding of that subject.
2. Academic – Delivered in an educational or research setting. An academic presentation aims at sharing scholarly findings, theoretical frameworks or research methodologies with peers, professors or at conferences.
3. Business/Professional – Used in professional settings to share ideas, reports, projects updates or proposals. The audience is usually the stakeholders, clients or colleagues.
4. Persuasive – The aim of this presentation is to persuade the audience to support a certain idea, adopt a particular viewpoint or take a certain course of action. The speech is characterized by use of compelling arguments, evidence and emotional appeals to the audience.
5. Inspirational/Motivational – This form of speech aims at inspiring and motivating the audience mostly to make positive changes and pursue their goals. They often evoke emotions and speakers share their personal stories and experiences.

 

Regardless of the form of presentation/speech, the template below will guide you when structuring a speech. The template is general and you should customize it to suit your style and meet the requirements of your presentation. You should also adapt it to your topic, audience and time constraints.

Template of a Presentation/Speech

1. Introduction

• Greet the audience and introduce yourself
• Capture the attention of the audience with a strong opening statement, like an anecdote.
• Provide an overview of the topic

2. Opening Statement

• State the purpose of your presentation/speech
• State clearly the theme/key message/takeaway you want your audience to remember.

3. Main Points

• Organize the content of your speech in 2-4 main points and clearly state them to the audience.

 

4. Supporting Evidence

• To each main point, provide examples and evidence
• Use visuals such as slides to enhance understanding

5. Transition

• Ensure there are smooth transitions between main points
• Summarize the key points after you are done with the main points

6. Audience Engagement

• Allow room for questions, polls and other brief activities to engage the audience
• Create opportunities for discussion and reflection

7. Visual Aids

• Use slides or handouts to supplement presentation
• They should be simple and clear. Make them appealing by use of appropriate fonts and colors.

8. Conclusion

• Summarize your main points
• Reinforce the key takeaway and provide a call-to-action/closing statement.

9. Q&A Session

• Respond to questions asked confidently, providing additional insights and clarifications.

10. Closing

• Express your gratitude to the audience for their attention and participation.
• End with a strong memorable closing statement.

 

Before delivering a presentation or speech, it is essential to prepare thoroughly. This includes researching the topic, organizing the content, practicing the delivery, creating effective visuals, considering the audience and addressing potential questions or challenges. Adequate preparation helps build confidence and ensures a smooth and impactful presentation.