Page 6 - 2_studijní opora - modul 8ANG

Aspects of the presentation
When preparing an oral presentation, you have to keep in mind several
important features: the audience, the aim of the communication, differences
between written and spoken communication, and the structure of the speech.
All of them are in close relationship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKPEMglIlq8 (4 Steps to Great Speaking
2:37)

Audience analysis

To start with, you must analyse the audience. Logically, your presentations, even
on the same topic, will differ for common people and for experts in the area.
Thus, you should formulate a strategy for the specific audience. You must know
who the people are and why they are here, you should know their interests,
expectations and background knowledge. This is a critical determinant in what
information is presented (the content) and how it is presented (the form).

Are the people in the audience experts in the area with better knowledge than
you, or are they your colleagues, are they parents or public? Are they
experienced or with limited knowledge? Answers to these questions will influence
tailoring your message to the audience.

Communicative aim

All meaningful spoken communication has an aim: this is not just to deliver
information to a listener but to deliver it for a purpose e.g. to inform, to educate,
to persuade, to entertain, to motivate, to explain. What do you want the
audience to know, feel or believe after your presentation? This aim affects the
way how the speech is organised, its content, the language/tone and other
means used to communicate the information.

Spoken versus written communication

Listeners can´t reread the passage if they don´t understand, neither can they
control the pace at which the information is being delivered. They can´t note
down everything that is said, and furthermore, if they are tired or bored at the
particular time, they are not able to receive the information later. Unlike the
writer, the speaker has only one chance to deliver the message. Thus, if the
listener is to get the information that the speaker presents, the speech must be
easy enough to follow and stimulating to listen to.

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From the beginner to the mentor (Supporting strategies of education of teachers in Zlin region)
Fund of Educational Policy project, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports