Oral Presentation

Oral Presentation

An oral presentation is a formal way of conveying your message to the audience. Oral presentation is different to communication. Oral communication is an interactive process of sharing information whereas oral presentation is formal, structured, systematic, and intended to raise a particular issue for discussion.

Essential Factors of an effective oral presentation

1.      Audience Awareness: While delivering an oral presentation, we should size up the audience (the age, sex, background and interest of the speaker). This enables the speaker to use a suitable approach towards addressing the audience.

2.      Organization of matter: The matter which is to be presented should be carefully planned and organized. The introduction should catch the listener’s attention and interest. The information and arguments should follow logical sequence of thought. One should try not to read out a written speech because it would lose spontaneity and freshness. One can consult notes made on cards.

3.      Body language: Effective oral presentation does not depend on words alone but the body language of the speaker is involved. Body language is a kind of nonverbal communication where thoughts, intentions, or feelings are expressed by physical behaviors, such as facial expressions, posture, gestures, eye movement, touch and the use of space.

4.      Delivery and Voice Modulation: While delivering an oral presentation lips, jaw and tongue should be properly used. This makes the voice vibrant and well modulated. The pronunciation of the words should be clear and proper with stresses on the right syllable. Correct intonation should be used and the pitch of speech should match the thought being communicated.

5.      Audio Visual Aids: The use of audio visual aids in an oral presentation stimulates the interest of the audience. Aids such as, charts, diagrams, slides and picture make the presentation more vivid and understandable.