COMMUNICATION SKILLS I

April 8, 2014

Today- Presentation skill: Pausing

- Non-verbal aspects of presentation

- Work on Task 1 presentation

Reminder

Presentations begin next class (Thursday).

Asking questions will also be part of your grade.

Pausing

Some speakers speak too fast (and look nervous)

Others may speak too slow (and appear nervous or unprepared).

- Proper pausing can help make your speech more effective.

Pausing

Proper pausing can help make your speech more effective.

- The two types of pausing are:

Full stop (i.e., at the end of a sentence). /// Slow down (a vey brief pause between two words). //

Pausing - Example

Right now, John’s studying business at the University of Michigan. His major area of interest is managing non profit corporations. Before John went to college, he traveled around the world for two years.

PausingRight now,//

John’s studying business//

at the University of Michigan.///

His major area of interest//

is managing non profit corporations.///

Before John went to college,//

he traveled around the world for two years.///

Linking words (sign posts)

Subject + verb + object

Prepositional phrase

Noun phrase

Noun phrase

Subordinate clause

Main clause

Pausing - Example

Right now//, John’s studying business// at the University of

Michigan///. His major area of interest// is managing non

profit corporations///. Before John went to college//, he

traveled around the world for two years///.

Pausing

You can also use pausing for dramatic effect.

i.e., after asking a rhetorical question:

“Ladies and gentlemen, did you know that homework destroys the lives of 99 out of every 100 students each day?”

PAUSE

“Work, at home. What a terrible threat to fun…”

Erica got a B.A. in international business in 2001.During

college, she did research on economic growth in India.

After graduation, she interned at a consulting firm that

works on emerging markets in Asia. Three years later, she

returned to university to get her master’s degree in

economics. Right now, she works as a consultant at

Capital Economics.

• // means to slow down /// means to stop.

Erica got a B.A. in international business //in 2001.///During

college,// she did research on economic growth in India./// After

graduation,// she interned at a consulting firm// that works on

emerging markets in Asia./// Three years later,// she returned

to university //to get her master’s degree in economics./// Right

now, // she works as a consultant // at Capital Economics.

A few notes: Sign-posting

Remember to use sign-posts (but, furthermore, etc…)

- Use them in an introduction (i.e., providing an outline)

“First, we will discuss X, then move on to Y, and finish with Z.”

- Use when moving on to new section

“Now, I will move on to…”

A few notes: Sign-posting

Remember to use sign-posts (but, furthermore, etc…)

- Use them when examining visuals

“As you can see by this figure…”

- Use them to put emphasis on a point

“Please notice that…”

A few notes: Sign-posting

Remember to use sign-posts (but, furthermore, etc…)

- Use them to summarize after a long section

“So, in brief…”

- Use them to transition between speakers

“Jane will now continue with a discussion of…”

A few notes:

“Thank you for listening” = DO NOT USE

Thursday: Avoid large scripts

- If you must, you can use small cue cards.

Remember your time limit:

- 10-12 minutes + 5 minutes for Q&A.

A Good Presentation: Non-verbal aspects

perfect language skills does not = a good presentation.

Non-verbal elements also play a role in giving a good presentation:

- Appearance

- Posture

- Body language

- Eye contact

- Good speech structure

Non-verbal skills

Appearance:

VS.

Photo credit: properashell.comPhoto credit: www.anglicansamizdat.net

Non-verbal skills

Appearance:

A professional appearance makes you seem:

- More confident.

- More knowledgeable.

- More reliable

It also draws peoples’ attention…in a good way.

A Good Speech

Posture:

VS.

Non-verbal skills

Body language:

Non-verbal skills

Body language:

- Use gestures naturally (like you would when talking to your friends).

- Trying to “plan” or “fake” too many gestures will make you appear unnatural.

- Be careful to avoid exaggerated gestures.

- A good way to practice gestures is to speak in front of a mirror.

Non-verbal skills

Posture:

- Stand straight (but not like a robot).

- It shows you are serious and confident.

- Also draws peoples’ attention.

A Good Presentation

THE most important element of a good presentation?

Preparation