SOAR Lesson 14

What was the most important lesson Susan learned from her dad about giving a presentation?

• Stand on a table and yell.

• Preparation builds confidence.

• Your audience is more scared than you are.

• The pitch of your voice is more important than your tone.

Why is public speaking so difficult?

• Because of the high expectations that audiences place on public speakers.

• Studies show the human brain functions slower when it knows its being watched.

• Modern technology provides access to so much information that it’s hard to focus on live presentations.

• People don’t understand the difference between spoken and written language.

What is the "80/20 Power Strategy" for PREPARING a clear presentation?

• Organize your presentation with a 3-D Organizer.

• 80% preparation, 20% practice.

• Bullet points with short sentences or phrases.

• Use visuals instead of words.

How do you overcome the great challenge of public speaking: "Give a highly planned presentation that sounds like natural speech"?

• Use smaller words and avoid big vocabulary words.

• Don’t over practice, because it will sound rehearsed.

• Practice your presentation to make it sound more natural.

• Record the speech in advance.

If you have a successful opening, the rest of the presentation will likely feel "smooth and easy." What's the best way to craft a good opening?

• Start by thanking the audience for coming.

• Tell a story.

• Avoid using visuals, they distract from the speech.

• Start with a question.

When selecting visuals, props, or digital media for your presentation, use all of the following guidelines, EXCEPT:

• Have at least one visual or prop per pocket on your 3-D Organizer.

• Change visuals every 30-40 seconds.

• Put everything you want to say on a slide so your audience can read along.

• Select a visual that represents an answer to the question on your pocket of the 3-D organizer.

When creating a slide presentation, use all of the following guidelines, EXCEPT:

• Have at least one slide per pocket of your 3-D Organizer.

• The question on your pocket can become the headline of your slide.

• Put no more than six words or two graphics on one side.

• Use slide "transitions" to dress up your presentation.

The goal of practicing a presentation is to become familiar with the content, timing, visuals, and technology that you can focus on:

• Connecting with your audience.

• The pitch and tone of your delivery.

• Your annunciation and volume.

• The pacing of your content and delivery.

What is the "80/20 Power Strategy" for GIVING a presentation?

• Practice several times, working on timing, visuals, content, etc all at one time.

• Practice several times, focusing on one element of your speech at a time.

• Stand on a table and yell.

• Practice several times on video.

What's the best way to overcome feelings of nervousness or anxiety before giving a presentation?

• Avoid making direct eye contact with anybody in the audience.

• Drink herbal tea.

• Watch funny movies or TV shows.

• Spend a lot of time preparing your presentation so you naturally feel confident.