Oral Presentations in the Composition Course A Brief Guide

by Duncan, Matthew; Friedrich, Gustav W.

• ISBN13: 9780312417840
• ISBN10: 0312417845
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-10
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's

Summary

The ideal supplement for any writing class that includes an oral component,Oral Presentations in the Composition Course: A Brief Guideoffers students the advice they need to plan, prepare, and present their work effectively. With sections on analyzing audiences, choosing effective language, using visual aids, collaborating on group presentations, and dealing with the fear of public speaking, this booklet offers help for students' most common challenges in developing oral presentations.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(81)
1. Choosing a Topic	3	(3)
Brainstorming	3	(1)
Consulting with Others	4	(1)
Researching Ideas	4	(1)
Making a Choice	5	(1)
2. Determining Your Purpose	6	(11)
Informative Presentations	8	(6)
Description	8	(2)
Demonstration	10	(1)
Definition	11	(2)
Explanation	13	(1)
Persuasive Presentations	14	(2)
Propositions of Fact	14	(1)
Propositions of Value	14	(1)
Concerns about a Problem	15	(1)
Propositions of Policy	15	(1)
A Final Word	16	(1)
3. Analyzing Your Audience	17	(12)
Types of Audiences	18	(3)
The Selected Audience and the Concerted Audience	18	(1)
The Passive Audience	19	(1)
The Pedestrian Audience and the Organized Audience	19	(2)
BOX: Audience Characteristics and Strategies	20	(1)
Audience Attitudes	21	(2)
Hostile Audiences	22	(1)
Sympathetic Audiences	22	(1)
Neutral Audiences	23	(1)
Communication Barriers	23	(6)
Barriers That Involve Content	24	(3)
Barriers That Involve Audience and Delivery	27	(2)
4. Adapting Your Ideas and Evidence	29	(11)
Listening and Learning	29	(1)
Choosing Forms of Support	30	(6)
Explanation	30	(1)
Examples	31	(1)
Statistics	32	(3)
Testimony	35	(1)
Visual Aids	36	(1)
Choosing Forms of Proof	36	(4)
Motivational Proof or Pathos	37	(1)
Ethical Proof or Ethos	37	(1)
Logical Proof or Logos	38	(2)
5. Organizing Your Presentation	40	(9)
Creating an Outline	40	(3)
Choosing an Organizational Pattern	43	(6)
Chronological Pattern	44	(1)
Topical Pattern	44	(1)
Spatial or Geographical Pattern	45	(1)
Cause-Effect Pattern	45	(1)
Problem-Solution Pattern	45	(1)
Compare and Contrast Pattern	46	(13)
BOX: Patterns of Organization	46	(3)
6. Developing Effective Introductions, Transitions, and Conclusions	49	(8)
The Introduction	49	(3)
Language Choices	52	(2)
Transitions	54	(1)
The Conclusion	55	(2)
7. Using Visual Aids	57	(11)
Choosing Effective Visuals	57	(2)
Choosing a Mode of Delivery	59	(5)
Chalkboard or Whiteboard	59	(1)
Handouts	59	(1)
Overhead Transparencies	60	(1)
Presentation Software	61	(3)
Designing Visual Aids	64	(2)
Fonts	64	(1)
Contrast and Spacing	65	(1)
Color	65	(1)
Images	66	(1)
Avoiding Technical Problems	66	(2)
8. Practicing, Polishing, and Delivering the Presentation	68	(10)
Modes of Speaking	68	(5)
Impromptu Speaking	68	(2)
Extemporaneous Speaking	70	(1)
Scripted Speaking	71	(1)
Memorized Speaking	72	(1)
Voice and Body Language	73	(1)
Dealing with Stage Fright	74	(2)
Polishing the Presentation	76	(2)
9. Presenting as a Group	78	(4)
Dividing the Work	78	(2)
Transitioning between Speakers	80	(1)
Acknowledging Nonspeaking Group Members	81	(1)
10. Evaluating Presentations	82
Checklist for Evaluating a Presentation	83	(3)
The Speaker's Delivery	83	(1)
Content and Coherence	84	(1)
Argument and Persuasion	85	(1)
Thinking Critically about Your Own Presentation	86