pwc toastmasters participant handbook

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PricewaterhouseCoopers

Leadership in Public Speaking

Manual for Participants

Presenting and speaking with ease and confidence

Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 4

Chapter 1 Projects Overview .......................................................................................... 5

Chapter 2 Workshop Agenda and Roles ....................................................................... 10

Project 1 The Elevator Pitch.......................................................................................... 13

Project 2 Structure your Presentation ........................................................................... 17

Project 3 Straight to the Point ...................................................................................... 23

Project 4 Simply Speaking ............................................................................................ 29

Project 5 Speaking with your Body ............................................................................... 33

Project 6 Vocal Variety ................................................................................................. 39

Project 7 Speaking with Facts and Figures .................................................................... 43

Project 8 Speaking with Visual Aids.............................................................................. 47

Project 9 Persuade with Power ..................................................................................... 54

Project 10 Inspire with Confidence............................................................................... 59

Making Impromptu speeches ....................................................................................... 64

What’s next? ............................................................................................................... 66

Introduction

U S E O F T H I S M A N U A L Congratulations on taking the important step in developing yourself as a confident and effective leader in public speaking. Inspired by the Toastmasters Programme, this programme is made up of 10 different presentation projects, with increasing level of difficulty per project. An overview of all 10 projects with their respective objectives are described on the next chapter.

To participate in this programme,

§ You can choose any topic or subject for your presentation for each project

§ You will prepare for each project based on the guidelines described in this manual

§ During the workshop, you will deliver your presentation and receive a personalised evaluation from a designated evaluator

§ As you progress in this programme, you can take on different roles during the workshop (for example as an evaluator for your colleagues, as an “Ah”counter, as a table topics master). For details of these different roles, please see the Chapter Two: Workshop agenda and Roles.

P R E S E N T E R ’ S C H E C K L I S T § Bring this manual to the workshop whenever you are scheduled to speak. § Review your talk with your coach/mentor within your department before the

workshop. § Discuss any special points with your evaluator for your speech before giving your

speech. § Give the evaluator your manual before you present, so he or she can make written

comments on your presentation. § Have the L&D facilitator initial the Evaluation Form after you complete each project.

This will give you credit toward your certificate as a competent presenter. § Don’t be discouraged if your evaluator "missed the point." Evaluators have varying

degrees of experience in presenting, and evaluation is a "leam by doing" skill, just as presenting is.

Chapter 1

Projects Overview Mastermind’s philosophy

“You can read a thousand books on how to swim in the ocean. But you have to experience and to practice, otherwise you sink.”

The chart below lists the 10 presentation projects in this manual.

Project

Presentation time (minutes) Objective

1 The Elevator Pitch 4 – 6 Self-introduction to your group

2 Structure Your Presentation 5 – 7 Organisation/construction

3 Straight to the Point 5 – 7 Achievement of a purpose

4 Simply Speaking 5 – 7 Precision in word choice

5 Speaking with your Body 5 – 7 Gestures and body movements

Evaluate Your Progress – Part 1

6 Vocal Variety 5 – 7 Voice volume, pitch, rate, quality

7 Speaking with Facts and Figures 5 – 7 Effective use of research in your presentation

8 Speaking with Visual Aids 5 – 7 Effective use of visual aids

9 Persuade with Power 5 – 7 Persuasive presentations

10 Inspire with Confidence 8 – 10 Inspirational presentations

Evaluate Your Progress – Part 2

On the following pages, details on the presentation objectives and timing of each project are provided.

S P E E C H P R O J E C T # 1 – T H E E L E V A T O R P I T C H Date Delivered: __________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: For your first presentation project, you will introduce yourself to your fellow workshop participants and give them some information about your background, interests and ambitions. Practise giving your speech to friends or family members, and strive to make eye contact with some of your audience. You may use notes during your presentation if you wish. Read the entire project before preparing your elevator pitch. Objectives: § To begin speaking before an audience about you § To emphasise your speaking development § To introduce yourself to your workshop participants § To discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention

Time: 4 to 6 minutes S P E E C H P R O J E C T # 2 – S T R U C T U R E Y O U R P R E S E N T A T I O N Date Delivered: __________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Good speech organisation is essential if your audience is to follow and understand your presentation. You must take the time to put your ideas together in an orderly and logical manner. You can organize your speech in several different ways; choose the outline that best suits your topic. The opening should catch the audience's attention, the body must support the idea you want to convey, and the conclusion should reinforce your ideas and be memorable. Transitions between key points should be smooth. Objectives: § Select an appropriate outline which allows listeners to easily follow and understand

your speech § Make your message clear, with supporting material directly contributing to that

message. § Use appropriate transitions when moving from one idea to another. § Create a strong opening and conclusion.

Time: 5 to 7 minutes

S P E E C H P R O J E C T # 3 – S T R A I G H T T O T H E P O I N T Date Delivered: __________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Every presentation or speech must have a general and specific purpose. A general purpose is to inform, to persuade, to entertain or to inspire. A specific purpose is what you want the audience to do after listening to your presentation or speech. Once you have established your general and specific purposes, you'll find it easy to organize your speech. You'll also have more confidence, which makes you more convincing, enthusiastic, and sincere. Of course, the better organised the presentation is, the more likely it is to achieve your purpose. Objectives: § Select a presentation topic and determine its general and specific purposes § Organise the speech in a manner that best achieves those purposes. § Ensure the beginning, body and conclusion reinforce the intended purposes. § Project sincerity and conviction in your presentation and control any nervousness you

may feel. § Aim to present without using notes.

Time: 5 to 7 minutes S P E E C H P R O J E C T # 4 – S I M P L Y S P E A K I N G Date Delivered: __________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Words are powerful. They convey your message and influence the audience and its perception of you. Word choice and arrangement need just as much attention as speech organisation and purpose. Select clear, accurate, descriptive and short words that best communicate your ideas and arrange them effectively and correctly. Every word should add value, meaning and punch to the speech. Objectives: § Select the right words and sentence structure to communicate your ideas clearly,

accurately and vividly. § Use rhetorical devices to enhance and emphasize ideas. § Eliminate jargon and unnecessary words. Use correct grammar.

Time: 5 to 7 minutes S P E E C H P R O J E C T # 5 – S P E A K I N G W I T H Y O U R B O D Y Date Delivered: __________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Body language is an integral part of speaking because it enhances your message and gives you more credibility. It also helps release any nervousness you may feel. Stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact help communicate your message and achieve the purpose of your presentation. Body language should be smooth, natural and support the message that you want your listeners to hear. Objectives: § Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact to express your

message and achieve the purpose of our presentation. § Make your body language smooth and natural.


S P E E C H P R O J E C T # 6 – V O C A L V A R I E T Y Date Delivered: __________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Your voice has a major effect on your audience. A lively, exciting voice attracts and keeps listeners’ attention. A speaking voice should be pleasant, natural, forceful, expressive, and easily heard. Use volume, pitch, rate and quality as well as appropriate pauses to reflect and add meaning and interest to your presentation. Your voice should reflect the thoughts you are presenting. Objectives: § Use voice volume, pitch, rate and quality to reflect and add meaning and interest to

your presentation. § Use pauses to enhance and dramatise your message. § Use vocal variety smoothly and naturally.

Time: 5 to 7 minutes S P E E C H P R O J E C T # 7 – S P E A K I N G W I T H F A C T S A N D F I G U R E S Date Delivered: __________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Your presentation will be even more effective if you can support your main points with statistics, testimony, stories, anecdotes, examples, visual aids and facts. You can find this material in PwC’s knowledge resources, databases or other public domains. Use information collected from numerous sources and carefully support points with specific facts, examples and illustrations, rather than with just your own opinions. Objectives: § Collect information about your topic in your presentation from numerous sources. § Carefully support your points and opinions with specific facts, examples and

illustrations gathered through research. Time: 5 to 7 minutes S P E E C H P R O J E C T # 8 – S P E A K I N G W I T H V I S U A L A I D S Date Delivered: ____________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Visual aids help an audience understand and remember what they hear; they are a valuable tool for presenters. The most popular visual aids are computer-based visuals, overhead transparencies, flip charts, whiteboards and props. The type of visual aid you choose depends on several factors, including the information you wish to display and the size of the audience. Visuals must be appropriate for your message and the audience, and be displayed correctly with ease and confidence. Objectives: § Select visual aids that are appropriate for your presentation and the audience. § Use visual aids correctly with ease and confidence.


S P E E C H P R O J E C T # 9 – P E R S U A D E W I T H P O W E R Date Delivered: __________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The ability to persuade people – getting them to understand, accept and act upon your ideas – is a valuable skill. Your listeners will more likely be persuaded if they perceive you as credible, if you use logic and emotion in your appeal, if you carefully structure your presentation and if you appeal to their interests. Avoid using notes because they may cause listeners to doubt your sincerity, knowledge and conviction. Objectives: § Persuade listeners to adopt your viewpoint or ideas or to take some action. § Appeal to the audience’s interests. § Use logic and emotion to support your opinion in your presentation. § Avoid using notes.

Time: 5 to 7 minutes S P E E C H P R O J E C T # 1 0 – I N S P I R E W I T H C O N F I D E N C E Date Delivered: __________ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: An inspirational presentation or speech motivates an audience to improve personally, emotionally, professionally or spiritually and relies heavily on emotional appeal. It brings the audience together in a mood of fellowship and shared desire, builds the audience’s enthusiasm, then proposes a change or plan and appeals to the audience to adopt this change or plan. This speech will last longer than your previous talks, so make arrangements in advance with your Chairperson for extra time. Objectives: § To inspire the audience by appealing to noble motives and challenging the audience to

achieve a higher level of beliefs or achievement. § Appeal to the audience’s needs and emotions, using stories, anecdotes and quotes to

add drama. § Avoid using notes.


Chapter 2 Workshop Agenda and Roles A T Y P I C A L W O R K S H O P A G E N D A

This programme places a special emphasis on presentation and public speaking skills. Below is the agenda per workshop. Please note that there will be some minor changes to the timing and/or sequences, depending on the participants attending each workshop.

TIME ROLE / ACTION

0:00 CHAIRPERSON (20 minutes)

• Calls the workshop to order • Introduces people who have filled Roles

(Ah-Counter, Timekeeper, etc.) • Speaking Tip of the Day

Chairperson introduces the participants who offers a helpful reminder or tip

0:20 PRESENTERS (90 minutes)

• Chairperson introduces presenters, who deliver prepared speeches (typically 5 to 10 speeches per session)

Before each presentation, the Chairperson introduces each respective Evaluators

1:50 Coffee break (15 minutes)

2:05 EVALUATION OF PRESENTATIONS (55 minutes)

• Each presentation will be evaluated in less than 5 minutes by designated evaluators (typically 5 to 10 speeches per session)

3:00 TABLE TOPICS MASTER (40 minutes)

• Explains Table Topics (impromptu speeches) and the theme for each workshop

• Conducts the Table Topics session (typically between 5 to 8 speakers speaking for no more than 5 minutes each, either voluntarily or nominated)

• Returns control to the Chairperson

Chairperson then introduces the General Evaluator

3:40 GENERAL EVALUATOR (10 minutes) - Calls for reports from:

• Speech Evaluators • Timekeeper • "Ah," "Like," "You know" Counter

Following reports, she makes general comments about the session and returns control to the Chairperson

3:50 CHAIRPERSON (10 minutes)

• Thank everyone who has made a presentation or taken a role • Asks for comments or feedback on the workshop • Close the workshop

4:00 END OF SESSION

R O L E S D U R I N G E A C H W O R K S H O P

During each workshop, participants take on the following roles. This gives them each an opportunity to try new positions and learn new skills in comfortable surroundings.

CHAIRPERSON The Chairperson facilitates the entire session. She prepares remarks that bridge the gaps between programme segments. She welcomes observer, if any and introduces the participants - in a way that excites the audience and motivates them to listen. She creates an atmosphere of interest, expectation, and receptivity.

TIP OF THE DAY It is the duty of the Tip of the Day volunteer to present a speaking technique to the members, encouraging them to improve speech style and content in a specific way.

PRESENTER A major portion of each session is centred around one or two speakers. The Speaker delivers a prepared speech, five to seven minutes in length. The speech follows guidelines from the participants’ Manual.

EVALUATOR After every prepared speech, the presenter receives an evaluation. The speech evaluator gives an short oral assessment and feedback and fills out a written evaluation in the participants’ manual. She both instructs and encourages the Speaker.

TIMER When called upon by the Chairperson, the Timer explains the timing rules and her duties. She is responsible for keeping track of time during the session and for timing the prepared speeches and the Table Topic talks. She reports her findings clearly and precisely at the end of the session.

TABLE TOPICS MASTER The Table Topics volunteer brings to the session a series of secret subjects which individual volunteers select and talk on. She presides over a short evaluation period following each talk. She is responsible for the TABLE TOPIC SESSION when members practise impromptu speaking - learning to "think and speak on their feet."

AH-COUNTER The purpose of the Ah-Counter is to note words and sounds used as a 'crutch' or 'pause filler' by anyone who speaks at the session. She explains her role when introduced by the Chairperson and counts the ahs and ums, the you-knows, and the likes, during the session. She makes a brief report her at the end of the workshop.

GENERAL EVALUATOR The General Evaluator takes notes on everything that happens (or doesn't but should) during the workshop and gives a general assessment at the end of the session. She is informative and encouraging in her report.

Project 1 The Elevator Pitch For your first presentation project, you will introduce yourself to your fellow workshop participants and give them some information about your background, interests and ambitions. Practise giving your speech to friends or family members, and strive to make eye contact with some of your audience. You may use notes during your presentation if you wish. Read the entire project before preparing your elevator pitch. O B J E C T I V E S § To begin speaking before an audience about you § To emphasise your speaking development § To introduce yourself to your workshop participants § To discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention

Time: 4 to 6 minutes G U I D E L I N E S T O P R E P A R E P R E S E N T A T I O N

This will provide guidance and ideas for a professional and entertaining speech as well as making it an enjoyable experience. Try a simple structure for your talk. Usually, there are 3 parts:

1. Opening - start with an attention-grabbing opening line or lines

"Well here I am finally doing my first presentation in public"

"I'm the quiet one who sits at the back and never volunteers for speeches"

2. Body - pick only 3 or 4 main points to discuss.

You can talk about where you went to school, your upbringing, a passion, hobby or interest you have, your career, etc. But try to focus on one area, and try not to give too much detailed information.

§ The best ice-breakers are usually conversational. § Instead of relying on notes, use a memorized opening, then talk candidly, for

example, about career experiences. § Wrap up with a clever line.

3. Conclusion

This can be a line or quote you've memorized or at least have a definite idea of. Try not to read from notes. Eye-contact and presence are more important.

4. Other tips

Nothing warms an audience more than pictures (even if they are in your wallet) of your family or pets, and describing what they mean to you.

• The audience can really feel for you if you mention the dream job for which you were turned down, or the distrastrous vacation with your best friend last summer.

• Try to personalize parts as much as possible. If you choose to talk about your job, for example, explain why you enjoy it and the characters in the office.

Finally:

This is your maiden speech, so your evaluator and audience are aware this is one of the first times you've stepped up in front of a group.

By completing your first speech, you'll gain a brick in the wall of public speaking. The idea behind this programme is to further your confidence in public speaking. So with this newfound insight and confidence, it'll be beneficial to you to volunteer to be Table Topics, "Speaking Tip of The Day" for the next workshop, while there's momentum. It's like a lot of things in life it's not as difficult as you think.

Evaluation Title of speech: __________________________ Evaluator name:_____________ Time taken:______________________ L&D signature __________________ ü Check rating in each row Ex VG G F Evaluator Comments C O N T E N T

Speech Development Preparation, structure, organization, support material, level of info

Effectiveness Achievement of speech purpose, interest, convincing, connection with audience/reception

Speech Value Ideas, logic, relevant, original thought

D E L I V E R Y

Physical Appearance, posture, poise, body language

Expression Eye contact, gestures, facial expression

Voice Speaks clearly, volume, pace, vocal variety

Manner Directness, confidence, controlled nervousness, Enthusiasm, passion

L A N G U A G E

Appropriateness Word choice & lang appropriate to speech purpose & audience

Correctness Grammar, word use, vocabulary, diction & pronunciation

*Ex – Excellent; VG – Very Good; G – Good; F – Fair

What 1 key area should the speaker work on improving? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ What did the speaker do particularly well (1 greatest strength)? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Overall/Other Comments (for more comments, write on back of paper): ___________________________________________________________________________

Project 2 Structure your Presentation Good speech organisation is essential if your audience is to follow and understand your presentation. You must take the time to put your ideas together in an orderly and logical manner. You can organize your speech in several different ways; choose the outline that best suits your topic. The opening should catch the audience's attention, the body must support the idea you want to convey, and the conclusion should reinforce your ideas and be memorable. Transitions between key points should be smooth. O B J E C T I V E S § Select an appropriate outline which allows listeners to easily follow and understand

your speech § Make your message clear, with supporting material directly contributing to that

message. § Use appropriate transitions when moving from one idea to another. § Create a strong opening and conclusion.

Time: 5 to 7 minutes G U I D E L I N E S T O O R G A N I S E Y O U R P R E S E N T A T I O N

Choosing a pattern of organisation

A well organized speech typically includes three clear parts: a beginning, a middle and an end. This project will focus on some of the strategies that you can use to develop the middle section of your speech, sometimes called the body or the discussion.

Once your identified your main points to support your thesis statement, you'll need to organise these for presentation. Developing a clear pattern of organisation makes it easier for you to stay on topic and for your audience to following your line of reasoning.

The most common patterns of organisation include the topical, chronological, spatial, cause-effect, and problem-solution sequence.

1. The most common pattern of organisation is the topical pattern. You might have 3-5 main points that support your claim. When your thesis statement is, "There are five major considerations..." or "You should support this candidate for three reasons,..." then you are likely to use the topical pattern. Newspaper journalists use this pattern of organisation as they cover the who, what, where, when and why in a story. A variant on this pattern of organisation is the pro-con (advantages-disadvantages) sequence to compare and contrast main points.

2. The chronological and spatial patterns of organisation are similar in that your order for introducing propositions depends upon time or spatial ordering. For instance, if your thesis is to look at the past, present and future developments of something, you will be using a chronological pattern or organisation. Most demonstrative talks use these patterns of organisation for showing what to do first, next, and finally...

3. The spatial pattern of organisation is useful when covering places, movement from top to bottom, left to right or the like. If you were to discuss dialectics found in the U.S., you might move from northeast to southwest in your descriptions.

4. The cause-effect pattern of organisation is used to establish a positive correlation between concepts. For instance, if talking about the effects of smoking, alcohol consumption during pregancy, or drinking caffeine upon the body, you would likely use this strategy.

5. Many persuasive talks will be organized using the problem-solution pattern. If you want to convince an audience that you have a solution to a perceived problem, then this is the pattern for you. Most advertisers employ the problem-solution pattern of organisation in ads and commercials. If you are worried about health, security, or control, a product or service is just the solution.

Closely related to the problem-solution pattern of organisation is the Monroe Motivated Sequence. Alan Monroe developed this sequence in the 1930s as a way to organize sales presentations. This sequence is widely seen in television and radio advertisement today. There are five steps for persuading the audience:

1. Attention Step - Induce your audience to want to listen 2. Need Step - Offer a problem that needs to be addressed 3. Satisfaction Step - Offer a solution that will remedy the problem 4. Visualization Step - Show how life will change for the better if the solution is adapted.

Or demonstrate what will happen if no steps are taken to solve the problem. 5. Action Step - Offer a specific plan for implementing the satisfaction step.

T H E S T E P S

1 . D E V E L O P T H E O P E N I N G

In Project 1 you learned that every speech has an opening, body and conclusion. Like any conversation, your talk will begin with an introduction of your topic, yourself, and your purpose.

§ Start with your movement forward to the lectern. Walk with confidence and poise. Do NOT talk about your nervousness or the funny thing that happened to you on the way to your talk!

§ Smile if you can muster a genuine one. If not, then don't fake it. Strive to make eye contact with your audience to give each member a "visual handshake."

§ Breathe. § Begin the words, "Thank you." or "Good afternoon," or whatever is most

appropriate. Then begin with your attention getter. If your audience does not know your name, be sure to pronounce it slowly and distinctly so that everyone can understand it.

Attention Getting Devices

You'll want to gain the attention of your audience. You have just 30 seconds to make a good first impression and to convince your audience that your presentation will be worthwhile. Here are some usual suggestions for gaining attention:

§ Use a rhetorical question - Ask an intriguing question that does not require a response from your audience. "What do these three things have in common..." is a good example.

§ Offer a startling statistic - "Which of the following is the number one cause of death for women: cancer, heart disease, or accidents? Well, according to the American Heart Association, heart disease is number one and stroke is the third leading cause of death for women."

§ Suggest a pithy statement or quotation, "According to Edwin Newman, The only difference between the pros and the novices is that the pros have trained the butterflies to fly in formation."

§ Show the finished product that you plan to demonstrate to your audience.

If you are giving an informative briefing for work, you are advised to skip this step and start instead with your thesis and preview for your talk. Briefings are named this because the artful rhetorical devices are left out.

2 . D R A F T T H E B O D Y The body is the main part of your speech and consists of the facts or ideas you want to present. The amount of information you include in the body will be limited by the amount of time available to you and how much the audience can remember. Most listeners will remember only three to five main facts or ideas. For a five- to seven-minute talk, three facts or ideas are plenty. What facts or ideas do you want to convey? You may find it helpful to write down all of those related to your topic on small note cards, using one card per idea or fact and one sentence per idea or fact. Then select the three best or most important facts or ideas. These will be the main facts or ideas you will present. Arrange them in the order that will most effectively present your message.

The next step in developing the body of your speech is to elaborate on each main point with subpoints. A subpoint clarifies, emphasizes or proves the idea or fact it supports. Subpoints make the speech more interesting and help listeners remember the main point or idea. For example, a subpoint for point number one above could be: "They contain carbohydrates, proteins and fats the body uses to generate energy or build cells." Supporting material then follows each subpoint. Supporting material can include:

§ Statistics. These are numerical ways of conveying information about incidents, data and events.

§ Testimony. These are quotes or opinions from people with expertise on the matter. § Examples, stories or anecdotes. These usually relate an event that happened to you

or someone you know, or someone you've read about. § Visual aids. These could be diagrams, charts, pictures, models or other objects. (More

information about using visual aids appears in Project 8.) § Facts. Facts are verifiable information.

Whichever support method you choose, make sure it is relevant to the point you are making.

3 . T H E C O N C L U S I O N

Grice and Skinner note that "We enjoy listening to speakers who are energetic, vigorous, exciting, inspiring, spirited, and stimulating." And, while these traits are not sufficient for excellence in speaking, every competent public speaker strives to be perceived as dynamic.

Perhaps the best way to convey dynamism is to have a genuine interest in both your topic and your audience. When you are authentic and real, your dynamism is naturally present.

Allow your nervousness to catapult you to a heightened sense of awareness of your surrounding and your audience.

Embrace your nervousness. Practice gestures, movements, and using visual aids to add interest to your talk.

4 . P A Y A T T E N T I O N T O T R A N S I T I O N S

Audiences need help in moving smoothly from one topic to another. Transitions provide these valuable bridges, helping the audience to follow the ideas being presented and to see the relationship of those ideas. Transitions usually are used as you move

§ from the speech introduction to the body § from a main point to a subpoint § from a subpoint to support material § from support material to another main point § from the last support material to the conclusion.

Transitions can be words, phrases, statements or questions. Some transitional words are afterward, also, but, consequently; consider, finally; instead, later, meanwhile, moreover, next, then, yet. Some transitional phrases are: according to, as a result, for example, for instance, in addition, let's begin with, more importantly; this means, to illustrate. Some transitional statements or questions are: "If this program is so valuable, why is everyone resisting it?" "We must consider three things in developing this new product. First is.. .Second is... Third is..."

E V A L U A T I O N

In this project, the focus is on effective speech organisation. Your evaluator will give you feedback on how you:

• Select an outline that's appropriate for your topic and allows your listeners to easily follow and understand your presentation.

• Make your message clear to the audience; the main points, subpoints and support materials should contribute to that message.

• Use appropriate transitional words, phrases, statements or questions as you move from one idea to another.

• Create a strong opening and conclusion. You may find it helpful to memorize them as you did in Project 1.

• Incorporate suggestions from your evaluation for Project 1 as you prepare and rehearse this speech.





D E L I V E R Y





L A N G U A G E





Project 3 Straight to the Point Every presentation or speech must have a general and specific purpose. A general purpose is to inform, to persuade, to entertain or to inspire. A specific purpose is what you want the audience to do after listening to your presentation or speech. Once you have established your general and specific purposes, you'll find it easy to organize your speech. You'll also have more confidence, which makes you more convincing, enthusiastic, and sincere. Of course, the better organised the presentation is, the more likely it is to achieve your purpose. O B J E C T I V E S § Select a presentation topic and determine its general and specific purposes § Organise the speech in a manner that best achieves those purposes. § Ensure the beginning, body and conclusion reinforce the intended purposes. § Project sincerity and conviction in your presentation and control any nervousness you

may feel. § Aim to present without using notes.


The successful presentation is one that radiates conviction and sincerity. The purpose of your presentation - in this project, to talk about a subject on which you feel strongly - should dominate your preparation and delivery. Your primary goal is to learn how to convey your true feelings to the audience. Be natural, but forceful; the combination of thought and strong feeling should be an expression of your personality.

Remember that since your listeners are volunteering their time to hear your talk, you owe them more than a superficial exercise in words. When a subject has meaning for you and you can convince listeners of that fact, they will pay attention to you and be willing to consider your point of view.

G U I D E L I N E S T O K E E P I N G I T D I R E C T

In ancient days, Roman sculptors sometimes sought to conceal surface cracks in a statue with the aid of melted beeswax. A buyer, deceived into believing that he was purchasing a flawless piece of marble, would place such a statue proudly in his atrium. A few weeks later the beeswax would dry out, crumble away, and leave the original cracks exposed. This trickery became so prevalent, reputable sculptors began to guarantee their works as sine cera — which means, in Latin, without wax.

Our present word sincere we owe to a rebellion against “wax” — against deception and fraud.

1 . A V O I D T H E U S E O F W O R D W A X You are not in the business of carving statues out of marble. But you do something similar. You carve communication out of words. Beeswax tricked the ancient Romans. But word wax never tricked anybody. It is instantly recognized and thoroughly despised by all listeners. Word wax may be defined as any phrase, any group of words, which is not an integral part of the thought you seek to express.

Superlatives are wax. “This is absolutely and positively essential!” Eliminate the word wax and what remains is not less, but more forceful. “This is essential!”

“This is true beyond any possible shadow of a doubt!” If you wish to strengthen the simple assertion. “This is true!”, do so by pouring concrete examples to support it, not wax to fill the cracks.

Trite expression are wax. “As you can see,” “if you will,” “in conclusion,” “it is indeed an honor and a privilege,” “I would like to take a few minutes,” “Each and every one,” “throughout the length and breadth of the land,” “next slide please,” and assorted other inert phrases are deadly to communication.

When any of these stale phrases assail the ears of listeners, a thumbs-down reaction is instant.

Groping expressions are wax. “What I'm trying to get as is ...,” “What I want to say is ...” If you want to get at something, then get at it! If you want to say something, say it!

Your failure to express your idea clearly the first time is not helped by word wax. Try a concrete example instead.

Repetitious expressions are wax. “As I said before,” “and so I again repeat,” “let me reiterate here...” If you wish to gain the emphasis which comes from restatement — as you do in the opening and close of a conference comment — go ahead and restate. But omit the waxy “as I said before.”

“And so forth” expressions are wax. “America has produced such inventors as Fulton, Edison, the Wright brothers — and so forth and so on.” “Our marketing recommendations are now based on research, data, statistical analysis, etc., etc."”

When you list items in series, stop cleanly with your last item. “And so forth” expressions usually get interpreted as wax calculated to make others believe you know more than you do. Such expressions have the same value as the obnoxious phrase, “I could go on this way for hours.”

Weasel words are wax. “Of course, it's only my opinion, but ... .” “It seems to me ... .” Of course it's your opinion! That's why you're expressing it.

Naturally “it seems” to you, or you wouldn't be saying it. “More or less...to a greater or less degree...or something like that...” Punch-pulling phrases fuzz the crispness of a thought.

They are just as obnoxious as the superlatives at the opposite extreme.

Avoid word wax. She who cleans her speech of waxy substance creates a lasting impression of intelligence, directness, and professionalism. Be sincere. Carve your communications without wax: you may rate a marble statue in the end.

2 . O P T I O N A L T E C H N I Q U E

This is a technique called: Sincere Appreciation.

Ingredients needed:

1) Tact

2) Willingness to see the positive side of things

3) Sincerity!

Most people confuse honesty with “brutal honesty”. There is a difference between the

following:

1) “I can’t believe you spent $99 on that new shirt! I think it’s totally disgusting” ;

2) “You bought a new shirt? WOW [Yucks!] I think it looks [disgusting] great on you!” and;

3) “I see you’ve bought a new shirt! It looks expensive! But I somehow I think that green one

which you wore to work the other day looks better on you!”

Can you see the difference? The first one was brutal honesty. It was said without regard for

the recipient’s feelings. The problem with it is that it hurts the recipient’s feelings… and

nobody likes to be hurt. Do you?

The second one was flattery. It was said just to make the recipient feel good ONLY! The

problem with it is that, besides incorporating the problems of lying which were discussed

earlier, those words really reflect the lack of substance of the flatterer [EMPTY WORDS!]… it’s

only a matter of time before the flatterer will be exposed by the truth. As the saying goes,

“one may fool some people some of the time, but one cannot fool everybody all of the time.”

Imagine how flat one would look when 99 people tell the truth, and only 1 person told the lie.

Who loses?

Now the third reaction was one crafted out of love. It’s one that embraces the truth and

tempers it with kindness and regard for the recipients’ feelings. It displays a willingness to see

the truth and positives: the extravagant price of the new shirt, and honest preference for an

older alternative, both of which are really compliments to the owner’s wealth and taste

respectively! In any case, both the opinion provider and the owner are able to revel in the joy

and avoid any potential hurt and awkwardness of the truth.

Thus in using the technique of Sincere Appreciation, there’s a higher tendency for all parties

to come out winners!

3 . T R Y T H I S P R O J E C T W I T H O U T N O T E S

In this project, try speaking without notes, since you will want to convey sincerity and mastery of the subject. You should be telling your listeners something you really believe, rather than reading a script to them.

Consider the effectiveness of a presentation when the speaker looks you in the eye, drops all pretences, and tells you from her heart exactly how she feels about the subject. Compare that presentation with one in which the speaker stands stiffly behind the lectern and speaks from his notes, with only an occasional glance at the audience. Which one makes the greater impact?

At this stage of your speaking development, however, you may not be quite ready to abandon notes entirely. If this is true for you, try this method as a first step away from written notes: Write on a single card a simple phrase for each of your main points. Write in large letters so you can read each card with a quick glance. Never let your notes come between you and contact with your audience.

E V A L U A T I O N

Involve your listeners from the very beginning of your talk. Your first sentence should wake them up and make them want to listen. Your opening should also clearly introduce the subject. Carry through with sincerity and finish with a strong appeal.

Your evaluator will look at the way you project sincerity and conviction to your audience. Try to take steps to control any nervousness you may have during this project.





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Project 4 Simply Speaking Words are powerful. They convey your message and influence the audience and its perception of you. Word choice and arrangement need just as much attention as speech organisation and purpose. Select clear, accurate, descriptive and short words that best communicate your ideas and arrange them effectively and correctly. Every word should add value, meaning and punch to the speech. O B J E C T I V E S § Select the right words and sentence structure to communicate your ideas clearly,

accurately and vividly. § Use rhetorical devices to enhance and emphasize ideas. § Eliminate jargon and unnecessary words. Use correct grammar.

Time: 5 to 7 minutes G U I D E L I N E S T O C H O O S I N G A P P R O P R I A T E W O R D S

Principle Why use this principle Example readings of simple language

Say something significant

Many good stories have commentary on life.

Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson

Use clear, simple language

Written for children – short, simple language used.

Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O'Dell

Let audience fill in with imagination

Pictures with no dialogue – reader fills in sounds.

Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak

Use visuals Picture books can bring a clarity or stronger vision.

You Are Special, Max Lucado

Metaphors to communicate principles

Some books are fantasy, fairy tales; are symbolic

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C. S. Lewis

Be accurate Accurately describes the lifestyle and environment of characters.

Where the Red Ferns Grow, Wilson Rawls

Be authentic The characters have believable depths and behaviors.

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

Be creative Creativity engages the audience and can increase the enjoyment.

The Voyages of Doctor Doolittle, Hugh Lofting

3 S I M P L E P R I N C I P L E S

1. Say something significant

§ The best talks give us something we desire to remember. They teach us. § Often means social issues - Ari's talk on trip to Israel with students § It can also include talks on gardening, time-management techniques, etc. § What's important is to speak on a topic your audience cares about

2. Use simple language

§ Uses simple language - written for grade-school kids (between 12 to 16 years old) § Uses simple language to tell a story filled with symbolism § Let audience use imagination § When in doubt, simplify

3. Trusts audience to fill in with experience

§ Know your audience before speaking to them § In our short speeches, we don't have time for detailed descriptions, so we trust our

audience to fill in the gaps § We give our audience the necessary description, and trust them to expand the

imagery with imagination so we can keep it brief § Trust the audience to flesh out descriptions from experience

E V A L U A T I O N Your evaluator will expect you to use words and sentences that clearly communicate your ideas to your audience. You should pay attention to word and sentence length, use of unnecessary words or jargon, use of descriptive words and rhetorical devices.





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Project 5 Speaking with your Body Body language is an integral part of speaking because it enhances your message and gives you more credibility. It also helps release any nervousness you may feel. Stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact help communicate your message and achieve the purpose of your presentation. Body language should be smooth, natural and support the message that you want your listeners to hear. O B J E C T I V E S § Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact to express your

message and achieve the purpose of our presentation. § Make your body language smooth and natural.


Studies show that your words account for only 7% of the message you convey. The remaining 93% is non-verbal. 55% of communication is based on what people see and the other 38% is transmitted through tone of voice. So think about it. In the business setting, people can see what you are not saying. If your body language doesn’t match your words, you are wasting your time.

Eye contact is the most obvious way you communicate. When you are looking at the other person, you show interest. When you fail to make eye contact, you give the impression that the other person is of no importance. Maintain eye contact about 60% of the time in order to look interested, but not aggressive.

Facial expression is another form of non-verbal communication. A smile sends a positive message and is appropriate in all but a life and death situation. Smiling adds warmth and an aura of confidence. Others will be more receptive if you remember to check your expression.

G U I D E L I N E S T O U S I N G N O N - V E R B A L

1 . F A C I A L E X P R E S S I O N S

Leave that deadpan expression to poker players. A speaker realizes that appropriate facial expressions are an important part of effective communication. In fact, facial expressions are often the key determinant of the meaning behind the message. People watch a speaker's face during a presentation. When you speak, your face - more clearly than any other part of your body - communicates to others your attitudes, feelings, and emotions.

Remove expressions that don't belong on your face.

Inappropriate expressions include distracting mannerisms or unconscious expressions not rooted in your feelings, attitudes and emotions. In much the same way that some speakers perform random, distracting gestures and body movements, nervous speakers often release excess energy and tension by unconsciously moving their facial muscles (e.g., licking lips, tightening the jaw).

One type of unconscious facial movement which is less apt to be read clearly by an audience is involuntary frowning. This type of frowning occurs when a speaker attempts to deliver a memorized speech. There are no rules governing the use of specific expressions. If you relax your inhibitions and allow yourself to respond naturally to your thoughts, attitudes and emotions, your facial expressions will be appropriate and will project sincerity, conviction, and credibility.

2 . E Y E C O N T A C T

Eye contact is the cement that binds together speakers and their audiences. When you speak, your eyes involve your listeners in your presentation. There is no surer way to break a communication bond between you and the audience than by failing to look at your listeners. No matter how large your audience may be, each listener wants to feel that you are talking to him or her.

The adage, "The eyes are the mirror of the soul," underlines the need for you to convince people with your eyes, as well as your words. Only by looking at your listeners as individuals can you convince them that you are sincere and are interested in them, and that you care whether they accept your message. When you speak, your eyes also function as a control device you can use to assure your listeners' attentiveness and concentration.

Eye contact can also help you to overcome nervousness by making your audience a known quantity. Effective eye contact is an important feedback device that makes the speaking situation a two-way communication process. By looking at your audience, you can determine how they are reacting. When you develop the ability to gauge the audience's reactions and adjust your presentation accordingly, you will be a much more effective speaker.

3 . H O W T O U S E Y O U R E Y E S E F F E C T I V E L Y

1. Know your material.

Know it so well that you don't have to devote your mental energy to the task of remembering the sequence of ideas and words.

You should prepare well and rehearse enough so that you don't have to depend heavily on notes. Many speakers, no matter how well prepared, need at least a few notes to deliver their message. If you can speak effectively without notes, by all means do so. But if you must use notes, that's fine. Just don't let them be a substitute for preparation and rehearsal.

Even many experienced speakers use notes. Often, they take advantage of such natural pauses as audience laughter or the aftermath of an important point to glance briefly at their notes. To make this technique work, keep your notes brief.

2. Establish a personal bond with listeners.

How do you do this? Begin by selecting one person and talking to him or her personally. Maintain eye contact with that person long enough to establish a visual bond (about 5 to 10 seconds). This is usually the equivalent of a sentence or a thought. Then shift your gaze to another person.

In a small group, this is relatively easy to do. But, if you're addressing hundreds or thousands of people, it's impossible. What you can do is pick out one or two individuals in each section of the room and establish personal bonds with them. Then each listener will get the impression you're talking directly to him or her.

3. Monitor visual feedback.

While you are talking, your listeners are responding with their own non-verbal messages. Use your eyes to actively seek out this valuable feedback. If individuals aren't looking at you, they may not be listening either. Their reasons may include one or more of these factors:

a. They may not be able to hear you.

Solution: If you are not using a microphone, speak louder and note if that works.

b. They may be bored.

Solution: Use some humor, increase your vocal variety or add powerful gestures or body movements.

c. They may be puzzled.

Solution: Repeat and/or rephrase what you have just said.

d. They seem to be fidgeting nervously.

Solution: You may be using distracting mannerisms. Maybe you have food on your clothes (or worse, maybe your blouse is unbuttoned or your fly isn't closed). Make sure you are aware of these embarrassing possibilities before and during your speech. If necessary, try to correct them without bringing more attention to them. On the other hand, if your listeners' faces indicate pleasure, interest and close attention, don't change a thing. You're doing a great job!

4 . Y O U R A P P E A R A N C E

If your listeners will have on suits and dresses, wear your best suit or dress - the outfit that brings you the most compliments. Make sure that every item of clothing is clean and well tailored.

Don't wear jewellery that might glitter or jingle when you move or gesture. This might divert attention from your speech. For the same reason, empty your pockets of bulky items and anything that makes noise when you move.

Part of the first impression you give occurs even before you are introduced to deliver your speech. As the audience arrives, your preparation should be concluded. You shouldn't have to study your speech. Instead, mingle with the audience, and project that same friendly, confident attitude that will make your speech a success.

When you speak - especially if you aren't well known to the audience-the most crucial part of your presentation is the first few minutes. During that initial segment, the audience will be making critical judgments about you. Your listeners will decide whether you are confident, sincere, friendly, eager to address them and worthy of their attention. In large measure, they will base this decision on what they see.

After your introduction, walk purposefully and confidently to the speaking position.

5 . W A L K I N G P A T T E R N S

Why move in the first place?

Moving forces people to focus and follow you. The way you walk from your seat to the speaker's position is very important. When you are introduced, you should appear eager to speak. Too many speakers look as though they are heading toward execution.

Walk confidently from your seat to the lectern. Pause there for a few seconds, then move out from behind the lectern. As discussed before, it is wise to use the lectern as a point of departure, and not a barrier to hide behind.

Smile before you say your first words. Be careful not to stand too close to, nor move beyond, the people in the front row. Be careful not to walk too much. Doing so will work against you. Continuous pacing is distracting. Walking can be an effective way to stress an important idea. It is essential that your walk be purposeful and intentional, not just a random shift of position. Taking about three steps, moving at a shallow angle, usually works best.

When employing visual aids, use three positions. One position is your "home" position and should be front and center. The other two positions should be relatively near the "home" position. Never stand in front of any visual aid.

When you practice your speaking, make sure you also practice your walking patterns. Try walking to and from your three positions. These positions should be planned just as your hand gestures are.

When standing still, remember to maintain good posture. Stand up straight.

Remember it's not what you say it's how you say it and your body does speak very loudly. Only when you marry your verbal message and your nonverbal message do you begin to command presence as a speaker.

E V A L U A T I O N It is not possible to master all the body language in one project, but it is a good starting point. Use body language in every subsequent speech from now on. Your evaluator will pay attention to whether your body language supported, enriched and clarified the message of your speech.





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Project 6 Vocal Variety Your voice has a major effect on your audience. A lively, exciting voice attracts and keeps listeners’ attention. A speaking voice should be pleasant, natural, forceful, expressive, and easily heard. Use volume, pitch, rate and quality as well as appropriate pauses to reflect and add meaning and interest to your presentation. Your voice should reflect the thoughts you are presenting. O B J E C T I V E S § Use voice volume, pitch, rate and quality to reflect and add meaning and interest to

your presentation. § Use pauses to enhance and dramatise your message. § Use vocal variety smoothly and naturally.


Vocal variety is the key to giving a speech your audience will enjoy listening to. It is a clear way not to put your audience to sleep. Vocal variety is one of the hardest things to learn. I have listened to many professional speakers, and many have never grasped the process of vocal variety.

G U I D E L I N E S T O A P P L Y I N G V O C A L V A R I E T Y

But vocal variation comes with:

1. Practice

Once the speaker grasps the language of presentation better, and has more practice standing in front of an audience and speaking, he or she will definitely vary his or her speaking voice.

2. Gaining confidence in yourself

By gaining confidence, anyone will amaze himself or herself and the audience with their speaking ability.

3. Know the subject you are speaking about

Another way to help vary your vocal variety while speaking is by reading a children's book to your children or pretend children if none are available. Really exaggerate the voices until you can actually hear your own voice change or make a child laugh or ask for you to keep reading.

4. Practice

The success of becoming good at anything, including public speaking, is practice. Give your presentation in front of the mirror, notice your posture; practice on your family and friends; imagine giving your presentation to a thousand people as you practice.

Does your voice project? Could a person sitting in the back row hear you? Are you using vocal variety including volume, pitch, and tone? How is the pace; too fast, slow, or just right?

5. Over-the-top enthusiasm

Enthusiasm originally meant possessed by the Gods. Ignite passion about your subject into the audience; light their minds and move their bodies with your words and gestures! They should be sitting on the edge of their seats ready to take action at your beckon call. It is difficult to stay tuned-in to a boring, monotone speaker; it is impossible to turn away from somebody possessed with enthusiasm.

6 Make your audience feel good

Give lots of praise and be personal. Thank them for being there and let them know that you are honoured to be addressing them. Tell them a funny story about yourself. Maybe it was when you were on stage one time and forgot your lines. If you forgot your lines any time while speaking, make a quick joke about it and keep going. Remember most of the people in your audience are scared to death of public speaking. After all your preparation and practice it's time to be natural, human.

E V A L U A T I O N Your evaluator will look at your skill in varying your voice while you speak. You voice should be pleasing to listen to, with proper balance of volume, pitch and speed.





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Project 7 Speaking with Facts and Figures Your presentation will be even more effective if you can support your main points with statistics, testimony, stories, anecdotes, examples, visual aids and facts. You can find this material in PwC’s knowledge resources, databases or other public domains. Use information collected from numerous sources and carefully support points with specific facts, examples and illustrations, rather than with just your own opinions. O B J E C T I V E S § Collect information about your topic in your presentation from numerous sources. § Carefully support your points and opinions with specific facts, examples and

illustrations gathered through research. Time: 5 to 7 minutes G U I D E L I N E S O N R E S E A R C H

You want to be perceived by your audience as an expert in your subject. Experience, knowledge, and integrity are keys to developing your expertise. Competence refers to the knowledge and expertise an audience thinks you have. Whenever possible, select a topic for which you have direct experience. Tell your story.

Be sure that you are well researched. Even if you have a great deal of experience, you need to consult with other experts to ensure that your knowledge is generalizable and consistent. If your experience is different from that of many others, you have a responsibility to share that too.

Cite a variety of research sources to demonstrate that you are objective, reliable and balanced in your reasoning. Cite your sources throughout your talk and clarify the expertise of these sources as well. By referencing other experts, you will enhance your own credibility by sharing your competence. Watch newscasters to hear how to provide oral footnotes. For instance, you'll probably say, "According to..." often.

There are four basic forms of evidence you can use to back up your speech:

• Narratives are examples that draw upon yours or others' experiences. DeVito recommends that your narratives be short and few in numbers. He further recommends that you make explicit the connection between your story and the point you're making in your talk. Audiences tend to appreciate stories and anecdotes.

• Statistics are collections of data. Grice and Skinner recommend that you round off your numbers, stress the impact of large numbers, and use presentational aids to represent or to clarify relationships among statistics.

• Expert testimony references information from organizations or authorities. Zarefsky recommends that you carefuly assess your source's competence and credibility to convince your audience that your source is knowledgeable and trustworthy.

• Objects and presentation aids include video and audio support to illustrate points. For some, "seeing is believing." Demonstrations of how to do something can add great impact to a talk.

Beebe and Beebe recommend the following tips for using citing expert opinions:

• Be certain that any authority you cite as an expert is an expert on the subject you are discussing;

• Identify your sources to ensure that your audience understands that the sources are well qualified;

• Cite unbiased authorities; • Cite opinions that are representative of prevailing opinions; • Quote your sources accurately; and • Use literary quotations sparingly.

Even the most expert of us recognizes that there are many perspectives and ways to look at a topic. Good presenters ensure that they are up-to-date and aware of what other experts are doing in their field. As you know, there are many of people who pretend to be experts on subjects for which they know little. In addition, some misrepresent the facts or fabricate evidence. E V A L U A T I O N Your evaluator will look at how you apply all the skills and knowledge you have gained so far. The central focus of this project is how you combine facts to support your message and how you have organised your speech around the facts and research. Remember, do not bore your audience with only facts: Tell your story!





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Project 8 Speaking with Visual Aids Visual aids help an audience understand and remember what they hear; they are a valuable tool for presenters. The most popular visual aids are computer-based visuals, overhead transparencies, flip charts, whiteboards and props. The type of visual aid you choose depends on several factors, including the information you wish to display and the size of the audience. Visuals must be appropriate for your message and the audience, and be displayed correctly with ease and confidence. O B J E C T I V E S § Select visual aids that are appropriate for your presentation and the audience. § Use visual aids correctly with ease and confidence.

Time: 5 to 7 minutes The key to a strong presentation isn't the equipment you use. You should be able to do your presentation on a blank stage, with no props, and have it work on its own. The whole idea of visual aids is to enhance your presentation, not to be the purpose of it. The absolutely worst presenters are those who use the equipment as a crutch. For example, those who stand up before a group and just read slides during a presentation. It is very important that you follow the rules of using visual aids in the next pages to have a successful presentation. G U I D E L I N E S O N U S I N G V I S U A L A I D S

Visual aids are an aid to communication, not a substitute for it. People have become bored by PowerPoint slides, so you have to work doubly hard to keep them interested.

There are times when it's best not to use PowerPoint. When it is helpful to use PowerPoint or other visual aids, follow these guidelines:

1. Plan your presentation before creating visual aids. Know what you want the audience to do as a result of hearing your presentation. Then figure out what they need to know to do what you want them to do. Then create a simple outline that logically and clearly develops your main points. Finally, create visual aids to support your message.

2. Use visual aids sparingly. They are aids to your presentation – not its sum and substance. Use them to highlight and support your key points.

3. Make them visible to the entire audience. Projecting an image people can’t see is as senseless as speaking so softly people can’t hear.

4. Talk to the audience, not to the visual aid. Look at the audience at least 80% of the time. Avoid turning your back to the audience.

5. Avoid laser pointers. Your aid should be so clear that your audience can easily follow along. Use your hand, if necessary. (If you absolutely have to use a pointer, set it down after you are finished. Holding on to it will only encourage you to use it for every point on every slide.)

6. Explain the content of the aid when you first show it. As soon as you show people an object, they will look at it – even if you’re talking about something else. Don’t make them divide their attention.

7. When you finish with the aid, remove it, cover it, or turn it off. (See above.) When using PowerPoint, tap the B key and the screen will go to black. Tap any other key and the screen light up again.

8. Limit the amount of material on any one aid. Use each slide to convey a single point. Bullet points – no more than four or five per slide – explain, illustrate, or substantiate that one point.

9. Avoid clip art from well-known sources. It’s almost always boring and amateurish. DO use images, graphs, and charts, whenever possible and appropriate.

10. Be prepared to give your presentation without your visual aids. Murphy’s Law -- "if anything can go wrong, it will" -- applies in spades to anything involving technology and an audience. Have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Take a hard copy of your slides.

T H E D O ’ S O F D I F F E R E N T T Y P E S O F V I S U A L A I D S

1 . U S I N G P O W E R P O I N T P R O J E C T O R S

Overhead projectors can greatly enhance your presentation if they are used right. They are very easy to use and can accommodate large or small audiences.

Before Presentations 1. Make sure the plug reaches the socket. It is a good idea to carry an extension cord 2. Put the projector is projecting your powerpoint slides at a height that is comfortable for

your audience 3. Make sure the lens is dust free. 4. Put the projector on a vibration free base. 5. Arrange the electric cord so no one will trip over it. 6. Focus and centre the picture on the screen beforehand. 7. Never assume projectors will work. Have a backup strategy ready. During Presentations 1. Keep the screen above the heads of the participants. 2. Keep the screen in full view of participants. 3. Make sure you are not blocking anyone's view when presenting. 4. Darken the room appropriately by blocking out sunshine and dimming nearby lights. 5. Turn the screen off between slides if you are going to talk for more than two minutes. 6. Talk to the audience, not to the screen. 7. Use a pointer to emphasize points, don't use it as a crutch and don't wave it wildly.

2 . U S I N G F L I P C H A R T S A N D P O S T E R S : Before Presentations 1. Check the height of the easel. 2. Make sure you have plenty of paper. During Presentations 1. Title each page with a short topic or heading. 2. Print the large block letters 4 cm high, larger if the room is deeper than 10 metres. 3. Printing should be neat and legible. 4. Use different colours for page headings and primary points. 5. The colour red should be used only for emphasis. 6. Do not use pastel colours. Black, blue, dark green and brown are acceptable. 7. Put marker down when you are not using it. 8. Don't talk to the board while writing on it. 9. Do not write more than ten lines on a page. 10. Do not fill the page to the bottom. People in the back will be unable to see. 11. Respond to and note input from participants. 12. Post important papers on the wall with masking tape or pins. 13. Do not write on the papers after posting on the wall. The pen may bleed. 14. Highlight key points. 15. Respond to and highlight input from participants. 16. Allow time for reading, retention and note taking. 17. Use the 'matador tear', a sharp tug at the corner, not straight down.

3 . U S I N G V I D E O T A P E S Before Presentations 1. Be sure the videotape is rewound and at the starting point. 2. Check to make sure the playback machine and the monitor are playing properly. Check this before the session so you may replace the machine if it is not working properly. 3. Check audio level and contrast. 4. Lights should be dimmed but not turned off. During Presentation 1. Explain what the purpose of the tape is before playing it. 2. Show interest in the tape and watch it enthusiastically. 3. Summarize the main points after you have shown the tape. 4 . A U D I O T A P E S Before Presentation 1. Be sure the tape is rewound and at its starting point. 2. Adjust the volume so all participants can hear. 3. Use a high quality recorder to prevent distortion. 4. If the recorder is portable, position it at table level of the participants. 5. Explain the purpose of the tape and identify the speaker before playing. 6. Always carry a backup tape!

5 . B O O K S A N D H A N D O U T S Books: 1. If you are using training manuals, make sure each student has one. 2. Make sure you have a few extra books with you in case extra students arrive. 3. Make sure you frequently reference page numbers with your audience so they know where you are in the book. Handouts: 1. For visual variety provide handouts on yellow light blue paper. 2. Distribute the handouts just prior to discussing the topics. 3. Have extra handouts for unexpected participants.

6 . M I C R O P H O N E Before Presentation 1. If you are going to be moving around during your presentation make sure that a clip on (Lavalier) microphone is available. 2. The Lavalier should be attached to a jacket, lapel, collar, neckline or tie above the mid chest level, but not against the larynx or your voice will become muffled. During Presentation 1. Speak clearly into the microphone. 2. Keep proper distance from the microphone. When using a standard podium microphone talk about six inches from the microphone. 3. Repeat questions from the audience into the microphone. This helps everyone hear the question that was asked. T H E D O N ’ T S O F V I S U A L A I D S

The Illegible Image: Images not clearly seen by the entire audience add confusion and distraction. If you have to say "I know you can't read this but.....," why include the visual at all? The more eagle-eyed viewers may take exception to this attack on their literacy while others are attempting to see what is on the screen. While straining to read the visual, they cannot be expected to be paying full attention to what is being said.

The Useless Image: Images should be designed to please the mind as well as the eye of the viewer. If an image has no specific place or purpose in a presentation other than "it is pretty", it should probably be removed.

The Distracting Image: Images should be designed to aid your audience's understanding of your topic. If an image has no specific place or purpose in a presentation other than "it is my visual aid," it should be removed. If the visual aid that you have chosen seems fine as a small visual, but when it is projected on the wall or into a big screen TV it becomes a hysterical distraction then you shouldn't use it. Some visual aids are so distracting that the audience can't stop looking at your visual aid and they forget about you and your speech.

The Overly Complex Image: More images with fewer ideas on each are better than a few images which are complicated or difficult to understand. A single idea or set of facts per image, timed to the speaker's pace will add punch and emphasis to each important idea assuring maximum retention.

Most people are easily bored, and one generally accepted rule of thumb states that if an image remains on the screen longer than 7 to 10 seconds, you begin to lose viewer attention.

Chartjunk: Closely related to the previous deadly sin, "chartjunk" is a phrase coined to identify confusing elements which really have no place on the image. Many presenters insist on having a glaring coloured logo in the corner of every image. While a common element can add continuity to a presentation, blazing logos and distracting objects can detract from the message. And after all, isn't the message what it's all about?

Cartoons: A first cousin to chartjunk, "cartoons" are overly cute attempts to make a presentation appear more professional by adding lots of distracting, tacky, aggravating symbols and such. These usually appear right after a presenter has discovered a clip art library.

Ransom Note Design: Just because you have access to 35 fonts does not mean that you are required to use them. A single font throughout an entire presentation is usually quite sufficient. Use bold, italic, underline, quotations and/or color changes to emphasize or subdue key points or words.

Calico or Crazy Quilt Graphics: Keep the colours to a minimum. A single background color throughout a presentation lends an air of continuity. You can separate broad sections of a presentation by changing background colours, but keep the changes to a minimum. Unless your purpose is to shock or grab serious attention, try to keep all background colours within the same color family.

Mixed visual metaphors: You should not mix your metaphors when you speak, so please don't mix them in your graphics without specific purpose. You would not use warm colours in a slide whose subject was ice hockey unless you wanted to emphasize the warm comfortable temperature of the stadium.

By keeping these suggestions in mind throughout the design and development process, you can dramatically improve the quality of your presentation. The production process will go more smoothly, the budget will not be broken, and your nerves can take a well deserved rest.

E V A L U A T I O N Your evaluator will provide you feedback on how you have selected a subject that allows you to use one or more visual aids to add impact to your message. The visual aids you use should be appropriate for your message and the audience and be used correctly, with ease and confidence.





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Project 9 Persuade with Power The ability to persuade people – getting them to understand, accept and act upon your ideas – is a valuable skill. Your listeners will more likely be persuaded if they perceive you as credible, if you use logic and emotion in your appeal, if you carefully structure your presentation and if you appeal to their interests. Avoid using notes because they may cause listeners to doubt your sincerity, knowledge and conviction. O B J E C T I V E S § Persuade listeners to adopt your viewpoint or ideas or to take some action. § Appeal to the audience’s interests. § Use logic and emotion to support your opinion in your presentation. § Avoid using notes.

Time: 5 to 7 minutes G U I D E L I N E S O N H O W T O P E R S U A D E

Persuasive speaking can be contrasted with informative speaking. The two appear on a continuum.

Informative <------------------------------------------------------> Persuasive

There are several points of contrast.

§ Persuasive speaking urges us to choose from among options: informative speaking reveals and clarifies options.

§ Persuasive speaking asks the audience for more commitment than does informative speaking.

§ The ethical obligations for persuasive speakers are even greater than for informative speakers.

§ The Persuasive speaker is a leader; the informative speaker is a teacher. § Persuasive speaking more often involves emotional appeals that are out of place in

speeches to inform.

T H E F O C U S O F P E R S U A S I O N 1. One focus of persuasion is the question of fact. This refers to something that we can know to be either true or false, but right now we can argue about it. Examples include historical controversy, predictions, or questions of existence. Examples: "To persuade my audience that the Manchester United will win the World Cup." "To persuade my audience that stocks will continue to rise." "To persuade my audience that Oswald acted alone when assassinating President Kennedy." "To persuade my audience that T.V. violence causes real world violence."

2. Another focus of persuasion are the questions of value. Here is where we argue something is right or wrong, moral or immoral, or better or worse than another thing. Examples include: "To persuade my audience that it is wrong to drive over the speed limit." "To persuade my audience that Pepsi is better than Coke." "To persuade my audience that it is better to live together before marriage."

3. Another focus of persuasion can be the questions of policy. Here is where we argue that some action should or should not be taken. The form is always: "To persuade my audience that X should do Y." "To persuade my audience that the military should lift its ban on women in combat." "To persuade my audience that they should donate blood."

4 Questions to ask as you read or listen to any persuasive speech

§ What is the speaker's goal? § What are the main points? § How does the structure of the speech help the speaker to make the argument? § How does the speaker try to make you care? § How does the speaker use evidence? § What kinds of sources does the speaker use?

S T R U C T U R E F O R P E R S U A S I V E S P E A K I N G

1. Problem-Solution

§ Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that they should sign universal organ donor cards.

§ Central Idea: We can take a step toward solving the serious shortage of organ donors in the United States by signing universal organ donor cards.

I. There is a serious shortage of healthy organs available for transplant. II. By signing a universal organ donor card you can help solve this problem.

2. Problem-Cause-Solution

§ Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that the government must increase its efforts to counter-act global warming.

§ Central Idea: The effects of global warming are catastrophic, but by understanding what is causing this condition, the government can create policies that can reverse these effects.

I. Scientists agree that a general warming of the earth's atmosphere would lead to devastating effects on the environment. II. There are several factors responsible for global warming. III. Government policies directed at industry and individuals can mitigate the effects of global warming.

M O N R O E ’ S M O T I V A T E D S E Q U E N C E

Best pattern to use for a personal action appeal. Five Parts: Attention, Need, Satisfaction, Visualisation, Action; but only three main points. Below is an example on how to use this sequence.

ATTENTION In the Introduction A scenario of a heart attack

NEED I. We have a problem with heart disease and heart failure in America. A. Every year thousands of Americans die from heart attacks. B. Only a small part of the population knows how to save someone who is suffering from a heart attack.

SATISFACTION II. If more people were trained in CPR more lives could be saved. A. You can get trained in CPR by attending a Red Cross class. B. You can get trained in CPR here on campus.

VISUALIZATION III. Once you are trained in CPR, you can save a life. A. Let's look again at the opening scenario. B. Statistics show that communities that have a large percentage of the population CPR certified have lower rates of death from heart attacks.

ACTION In the conclusion Call to the audience to get trained in CPR

E V A L U A T I O N Your evaluator will expect you to demonstrate all the skills that you have gained so far and apply most of them in this project. In addition, you will need to demonstrate your own commitment to the point of view you advocate. All the skills learnt so far are necessary for you to be able to persuade your audience in your speech.





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Project 10 Inspire with Confidence An inspirational presentation or speech motivates an audience to improve personally, emotionally, professionally or spiritually and relies heavily on emotional appeal. It brings the audience together in a mood of fellowship and shared desire, builds the audience’s enthusiasm, then proposes a change or plan and appeals to the audience to adopt this change or plan. This speech will last longer than your previous talks, so make arrangements in advance with your Chairperson for extra time. O B J E C T I V E S § To inspire the audience by appealing to noble motives and challenging the audience to

achieve a higher level of beliefs or achievement. § Appeal to the audience’s needs and emotions, using stories, anecdotes and quotes to

add drama. § Avoid using notes.

Time: 8 to 10 minutes G U I D E L I N E S T O I N S P I R E Y O U R A U D I E N C E

To become a inspirational speaker, you need:

1. A motivating, true, heart-connecting story 2. A clear message that is supported by the story 3. Knowledge of the pain or desire of your target market 4. Practice, practice, practice

1. A motivating, true, heart-connecting story

Everyone loves a story. If you can evoke empathy from your audience, you will connect with them on many levels. Stories of triumph over tragedy, overcoming challenges, happy ending for a deserving individual, or your own personal experience, are crowd favorites.

2. A clear message that is supported by the story

A story by itself does not become a motivational speech. If you have a message, such as good deeds are rewarded, nice guys/gals can finish on top, honesty pays, you can grow through the hurt, love will see you through etc. and then support that message with a story, your speech will be powerful as well as motivating. Choose one message and you can give multiple examples to support that message.

3. Knowledge of the pain or desire of your target market

If you want your target audience to connect with your message, you must let them know that you understand where they are coming from. Your personal experience, your education or research should prove your knowledge of their pain or desire. Your message and story show a solution to that pain or desire. Since it is not a training session, it won’t be a step-by-step solution, but it will make the listeners feel better, feel encouraged, and possibly feel inspired. They will be motivated to action by your passion in telling the story and sharing the message.

4. Practice, practice, practice

The more times you practice your speech, the more natural it will become. As you memorize your lines, you can add verbal inflection, facial emotions, body gestures, pauses for emphasis and vary your vocal volume. As you get more comfortable with your presentation, you will feel more relaxed and you’ll be able to have fun connecting with your audience through your eyes, your passion and your magical words. I N S P I R E Y O U R A U D I E N C E W I T H Y O U R E N E R G Y

Bring your passion to each presentation. YOUR passion and enthusiasm will inspire your audience members to find THEIR passion and enthusiasm. You’ll be seen as a catalyst for their excitement, their commitment, and their buy-in to a new behaviour or idea. Audiences want energy and enthusiasm, and people who can bring them hope.

Tips on how to bring excitement to your presentation:

§ Use lots of vocal variety § Use gestures effectively § Tell a story § Get the audience to participate

1. Create trust to inspire your audience Speak from the heart to turn on the mind of your audience. Structure your presentation around ideas you believe in – that way your passion will come through and you’ll be more likely to stay attached to the ideas, not the words. Your authenticity will come through in many ways:

§ your voice – to create drama and passion § your gestures – to give shape to your words and the moment § your close proximity to audience to invite connection

2. Come prepared to offer solutions You’re not there to speak but to deliver a message and to get audience members fired up about a new idea or behaviour. You want the audience to think of you as an entertaining story teller and expert who can identify their personal and/or company issues and offer solutions.

Tips for organising yourself and your presentation to delivery a solutions-based presentation:

§ Know your audience § Know their problems § Know their issues § Know their culture

3. Create Conversational Intimacy

Talk instead of presenting. Talk to the audience as though each person were sitting in your living room and not in theatre style seating arrangement of their workplace. Your goal is to create emotional connection – conversational intimacy – so the audience will regard you as someone they can relate to. That’s the only way to get their trust. Getting their trust earns you the right to ask them to open their minds and engage their emotions.

Tips for creating an effective conversational approach

§ Rehearse your presentation so you know it, but don’t be too perfect. § Be accessible in your language and approach. § Be conversational in your tone § Pause before and after each point § Deliver with gusto or enthusiasm

4. Structure your presentation to create maximum impact

Your mark of success is in your audience’s ability to summarise your theme in one sentence.

Select one point to emphasize. Structure your presentation to begin and end with that single message.

One way of ensuring you’ll end where you want is to begin crafting your presentation by first writing the conclusion. That way you’ll know how to begin as well.

End with a bang. The end of your presentation will be what audience members remember most. They may not remember what they heard but they’ll remember how you made them feel.

E V A L U A T I O N Your evaluator will expect you to choose a subject that fits a real or simulated situation and express the most inspired feelings of the audience in that situation. Using appropriate examples and illustrations, you should motivate the audience to go with you on an inspiring story or achievement.





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Making Impromptu speeches It's inevitable: You're at a luncheon to honour a colleague and someone asks you to "say a few words." Or your boss tosses an assignment into your lap that requires a presentation to your team with a turnaround time of one hour.

These can be the most nerve-wrecking of presentations; after all, we're taught that thorough preparation is the foundation of a successful presentation. When there's no time to prepare, a key building block of your talk is missing.

No need to sweat; you can do it! Just follow the tips below for an off-the-cuff speech that makes you sound like the clever, articulate, unruffled genius you are.

G U I D E L I N E S T O S P E A K O F F - T H E - C U F F

Tip 1: Stall for time!

If you're asked to speak at an event where there will be several speakers, see if you can put off your time slot for a few minutes. Even five minutes will give you the time you need to do some speedy homework.

Tip 2: Write out some quick notes.

Take a moment to think about your audience, the purpose of the occasion, and what you want to convey. Make some quick bullet points (on a napkin, if necessary), but no more than three so you don't overwhelm yourself or the audience.

Because no one is expecting a long dissertation, don't feel pressured to say more than is necessary.

Take your notes with you when it's your turn to speak; because you only have a couple of bullet points, you won't be tempted to stare at the paper the whole time you're speaking, neglecting to make eye contact with your audience.

Write out your first sentence and memorize it, so that you can start off your remarks with an air of confidence. And make an effort to fit in an eloquent closing.

Remember, it's about the audience, not you. If you're saying a few words about a colleague, say something personal, but don't bring up negative or embarrassing stories. Share positive memories, but most importantly, speak sincerely and from the heart. Give the audience what they want, and you will find your anxiety melting away.

Tip 3: Get it together.

If you can get away, go to the restroom or another room for some privacy. Breathe deeply and do some neck rolls and stretches to get the blood flowing. Clench and unclench your hands and feet a few times if you're sitting at a table and your hands and feet are hidden.

This is where visualization and positive self-talk can be useful. You've been asked to speak because someone believes you have something important to say. Remember this as you're doing relaxation exercises and tell yourself that this is an opportunity, not a punishment.

Tip 4: Be yourself, whatever that means.

If you are generally an informal speaker, don't try to be formal just because the occasion is formal. Likewise, if you are a more reserved and formal speaker, don't attempt a laid-back style. As a last-minute speaker, the last thing you should be doing is trying on a new persona in front of the audience. Do what you do best, and don't try to be someone you're not.

Ideally, you will always anticipate being asked to speak in certain situations, and won't be caught off guard. Plan ahead if you think it's possible that you will be asked to speak; have a few remarks in mind, just in case.

Last of all: Don't panic. With a few moments to pull yourself together and make some pertinent notes, your last-minute speech can be genuine, natural, succinct, and meaningful, as though you had plenty of time to prepare.

What’s next? Congratulations on achieving 10 completed speech projects! You have now conquered the basics of effective public speaking and are now ready to refine these skills in your future speeches. A masterful speaker is able to successfully handle any type of presentation and you are on your way. The next series of public speaking challenges will develop you into a masterful public speaker, commanding respect and awe from different target audiences and for different purposes. The advanced programmes include:

1. Management presentations 2. The professional sales presentations 3. Public relations and media presentations 4. Entertaining presentations 5. Communicating on the media

For more information about the above advanced programmes, please contact: Ryan Lim Partner Mastermind Human Potential

M Tel. +31 (0)6 5472 4993 @ [email protected]

Copyright © 2008 Mastermind Consulting Holding B.V. All rights reserved. This material is intended for the Leadership in Public Speaking programme, which is facilitated by Mastermind Human Potential (Mastermind) practitioners. Quotation, citation, attribution, reproduction, or utilisation of any portion of this publication by any party other than Mastermind is strictly prohibited without express written permission from Mastermind. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from Mastermind. Nothing in this publication shall be deemed a warranty, implied or expressed.

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