More people fear giving a presentation than dying. Unbelievable?

According to J. Douglas Jeffery’s, in his “Enhancing Your Presentation” speech, speaking to a group is ranked No. 1 in the list of Top Fears.  Standing in front of a large group or just sitting with colleagues across the conference room table can intimidate even the most experienced speaker. Being perceived as credible, and conveying your thoughts in a clear and concise way can not only enhance your personal image, but that of the group you are representing. Contrariwise, being perceived as awkward or ill-prepared can be detrimental to your grades and yourself.

Since most of us will be conducting presentations for various projects very soon, here are 5 habits you can follow when preparing your own presentations.

1)    Know your PAL (Purpose, Audience and Logistics):

-    If the objective of your presentation is to educate, you will need to provide new and useful information. However, for persuasion purposes, you then need to get your audience to believe in your message. You have to be clear about your intended results.

-    You also have to find out about your audience. How old are they? What prior knowledge do they have about the topic you are about to deliver? The “right” information to the wrong topic limits your chances of achieving your objectives.

-     You have to understand your logistics before you begin to speak too. What equipment is at your disposal? Do you have a time limit? What is your audience size? The answers to these questions are critical factors which will aid you in tailoring your presentation.

Once you have determined your PAL, summarize your overall objective. This helps you maintain focus during the preparation process.

2)      Create a user friendly final draft of your speech: Imagine this: your masterpiece has gone missing on the day of your presentation! To avoid such unfavorable situations, always save it in various mediums and print extra copies. This user-friendly final draft should be in outline form on note paper, minimal 18 point boldface. Highlight the important points in different colors. Avoid using note cards; they can cause you to do too much shuffling. Only write on the top two thirds of the page, otherwise your eyes and voice will drop, and possibly lose your audience's attention.

3)           Techniques of delivery: To be an effective speaker, you want your audience to be receptive to the communication signals you will be sending them. The three V's -- Visual, Verbal and Vocal. The credibility of your message will be determined by your mastery of the three V's.

Visual – There is an old adage that "Clothes make the man" or woman. First impressions count. If you are presenting at a business meeting, formal attire is obligatory. If you have been invited to speak at an "off-campus" event, check with the event organizer. But you can never be faulted for looking "too professional". Ensure that your attire does not hog the limelight from your delivery. Girls, avoid accessories like jangling bracelets or earrings.

Your body language will also send the audience a message. Don't cross your arms or fidget. Use gestures to emphasize points, but don’t overdo it. The most effective stance is a simple forward lean. Effective speakers maintain eye contact with audience members as it gives them the impression that you’re honest with them. Nodding to emphasize a point also forms a bond with the audience. The audience might just nod back at you. Try it!

Vocal -- If you listen to people speaking monotonously, you lose interest easily. There are six vocal cues to remember: pitch, diction, volume, rate, punch, and pause. It is also important to speak clearly with proper enunciation. If you're not sure how to pronounce a word, look it up or substitute it! If you rush your delivery or speak softly, the audience will struggle to understand you. Vary your tone and speed. Keep your chin up while speaking. Emphasize certain words for added effect. Pause occasionally to allow your audience to ingest your last point.

Verbal -- There are three verbal communication rules to remember:

Use descriptive, simple language; short sentences; and avoid buzz words and jargon.

4)          Handle Q&A with tact: Having prepared your speech thoroughly, you can tackle most questions. Answer them as briefly and concisely as you can. Paraphrase the question before answering it. This will help to clarify it in your mind and impress the audience you understand it. You may encounter someone whose only objective is to stump the speaker or put you on the defensive. If you don't know the answer, just be honest and admit it.

5)            Positioning yourself: Get out from behind the podium. Remove this physical barrier between you and your audience. They’ll appreciate it and like you better.

Here’s an example of a well-prepared presentation! 

Good Luck for your upcoming presentation! Cheers! (:

Aslam Shah - Humour Round - Singapore Can Speak Champion