Simple Presentation
...the occasion, and the expectations of your audience (http://web.cba.neu.edu/~ewertheim/skills/oral.htm). Knowing the audience will be a significant determinant in what information is presented and how it is presented. Adapt your message to the audience. Understand their needs, desires, knowledge level, and attitude toward your topic. Be real, specific, sensible, and relevant. Clarify your objectives. Reach a common goal. By structuring your simple presentation begin by placing your topic in context. Organize the body of the presentation logically, make it easy to follow and go from complex to simple. When appropriate, plan ways to encourage audience participation. Think about what might happen and prepare. What if the overhead bulb blows out, what if the audience is more prepared than you expected ... what if there is an unexpected question… if a disruption is particularly obtrusive, you might relieve the tension with a joke or humorous comment (http://web.cba.neu.edu/~ewertheim/skills/oral.htm). Finally, create your presentation with style by posture and tone. Your audience will mirror your attitude. Don’t confuse enthusiasm with volume. Try to communicate a variety of emotions from happiness to disappointment. With strategy, structure, and style, you are sure to give an effective presentation with the competency simple. It is almost a guarantee that your audience will understand and retain your presentation. Presentation Depending on the physical setting will determine the length of my presentation for the group of seventh graders. We’ll just say we’re in a comfortable indoor setting. Humor is a tricky device to use well (Morgan 46) so I’ll open up my presentation with humor so that I will capture their attention. I’ll then introduce myself and explain to them about how when I was a sophomore in high school, I took upon the opportunity to do an Engineering program, Student Top Engineering Prospect, for a week at Purdue University. I’ll explain the benefits of the program briefly then I will go right into my main topic, designing a roller coaster. I’ll get their crowd participation by asking simple questions like “Who in here loves roller coasters? Who do you think desi...