Pre Reading I Presentation Skill: Preparing a Presentation, Communication Skill, and Attracting Attention by Thatiana Dwi Arifah, 1206244346

A. Preparing a Presentation Preparation is the key and the most important part of making a successful presentation. It similiar to writting an essay for publication or studying for a difficult exam. You can prepare your presentation with these steps. Selecting a Topic First step is brainstorming. Brainstorming is generating ideas without any restraints instead of deciding on the perfect topic immediately (Glencoe, 1999). You can take your major from your experience, hobbies, or current event in past or present. And then second step is making the right choice. When you choose a topic, you must consider or think about that the topic is must be relate from your (1) Interest, if youre not interested in the topic you choose, then people was too because you should be enjoy to share. But, audience may also did not like the topic you choose, so you must find an aspect of topic that will grab the audiences attention. (2) Knowledge, you must be knowledgeable, choose the topic that relate to your experience or master of it. (3) Appropriate Topics, you must know who is your audience before selecting a topic and keep their needs in mind. This is the way to approach your topic with the audience. (4) The Audiences Interest, think the topic that well-liked among the audience. After brainstorming and making the right choice, you have to limit your topic. Dont choose a subject that is too general, you must find specific aspect of your topic and think about your time limit. If you don not have idea, you have to read some articles about your subject. Find headings and subheading that suitable for your presentation. And then start by making a cluster diagram or inverted triangles diagram. Cluster diagram categorize the subject into smaller parts, which can lead you to a more specific topic. Inverted triangles diagram narrow your topic by placing a general topic at the top of the triangle until you arrive at the narrowest part of the triangle. Developing Audio Visual Aids

Audio Visual Aids is any device or piece of equipment that is used to help present information on a subject by stimulating a response. It can be a sight or sound device or combination of these. The uses is to stimulate interest and emphasize, promote efficiency, and clarify subject matter. There is some types of audio-visual aids, there is chalkboard, flip chart, poster, photographic slides, overhead projector, audio recordings, video tape, models, handouts, demostrations, and computer presentation. Practicing There are some tips to practicing your presentation. (1) When you presenting keep the material sounding fresh to the audience, it should not be memorized. Have a note cards to help you remember main points and to be familiar with your topic and transitions to avoid verbal fillers. (2) If you practice in front of a mirror or videotape your rehearsal, you can determine if you have made the right clothing choices and evaluate your overall appearence. If possible, rehearse in the room in which you will be presenting, especially if you have a lot of equipment for your presentation. (3) When you begin to rehearse your material orally, begin with one section at a time. Focus on your introduction first, making your way through the body of the speech, and finally, focus on your conclusion. As you practice section, you may find segments of the speech or transitions that need refinement or revision. time yourself, selfevaluation. And then keep practicing until you have mastered each section, you will find there is some differences from your speech. (4) To ensure that your speech does not run over the time limit is to cut about five minutes off your assigned time. (5) After you rehearse your speech, you should evaluate yourself. When evaluating yourself or from others, you have to (1) Maintain a good attitude about negative comments (2) Convert your mistakes into learning opportunities. Determine how you will improve areas of weekness (3)Make a note of any section of your speech that seems incomplete or unclear (4) List changes you think you should make (5) List the good qualities about your presentation. Predicting questions and preparing the answers Being prepared to answer questions means that you are credible to your audience. It's also important to anticipate any challenges to your presentation that might arise during Q&A time and to prepare responses. Also, keep in mind that you don't need to answer every question. If you don't know the answer or don't want to answer a

question, a graceful exit line is, 'I don't have that information right now, but I would be happy to get it to you as soon as I can.' B. Communication Skills Word Pronounciation Pronounciation is the broader term, includes articulating the individual sounds of a word, plus sylabic stress. Syllabic stress is a pronounciation factor in words of two or more syllables, means that one syllables is said louder than the other syllable or sylables. Ex: accident you should stress the first syllables, thus saying AC-cident. If you stress the last syllable, acci-DENT, the result is a substandard

pronounciation. Pronounciation standards are determined, not by majority rule, but by the usage of the educated, cultured leaders of a society. You should take your pronounciation seriously, using an acceptable standard both in daily conversation and in public speaking. Here are three suggestions. (1) try to use standard pronounciation at all times, thus making polished pronounciation a good habit. (2) Listen to and learn from the pronounciation of educated speakers, such as television personalities, political leaders, minister, and teachers. (3) Use a good, recent dictionary regularly to check on your pronounciation. Stress and Intonation Intonation is the way your pitch rises and falls. English has many intonation patterns to show meaning and nuance. Using vocal variety and intonation patterns in your presentations makes your speech easier to understand and more engaging. Three common intonation patterns that are useful in presentations include. o Rising, rising, falling to show a list. Pitch rises for each list item and falls on the last. o Rising, falling - which can be used to show comparisons o Falling to show the end of a statement Stress is also key to English communication. Using the wrong stress can make you unintelligible. Using no stress, where each word gets equal emphasis, is monotone and confusing to follow. In presentations, stress is often used to show emphasis and focus. These focus words are pronounced louder, longer and higher than the other words in a sentence. This brings the listeners attention to key words and lets them know whats important. if/then, either/or, and making

C. Attracting Attention Facial expression. The movements of your eyes, mouth, and facial muscles can build a connection with your audience. Alternatively, they can undermine your every word. Eye focus is the most important element in this process. Facial expression is more important in communicating sincerity and credibility. Effective presenters engage one person at a time, focusing long enough to complete a natural phrase and watch it sink in for a moment. This level of focus can rivet the attention of a room by drawing the eyes of each member of the audience and creating natural pauses between phrases. The pauses not only boost attention, but also contribute significantly to comprehension and retention by allowing the listener time to process the message. Try to unfreeze your face right from the start. For example, try to smile! Smile at least at the appropriate moments. Answering Questions Treat your audience with the respect you would like to have shown to you. Answer their questions directly and honestly. Listen carefully to any question and, if the audience is large, repeat it to ensure everyone in the audience has heard. Answer briefly and to the point. If you do not know an answer then say so and offer to find out and ensure that you do so. I dont know is a very acceptable answer to some difficult questions and it is much more acceptable than stumbling through an answer or making something up. Relax and do not feel as if you do have to know everything. If you are asked a question and you feel you should know the answer, consider saying: Thank you. Thats a very interesting question. Can I get back to you on that, after Ive spoken to (whomever)? Questions can be neutral, friendly or hostile. If a question is provocative, answer it directly. Never be rude to the questioner or show you are upset. Do not compromise yourself but maintain your point of view and never lose your temper. This tactic can be difficult to maintain but the key is being assertive.

Refference: Hill, Mc. Graw. (2000). Choosing a Topic: Focusing Your Speech. USA: Glencoe Tedford, L. Thomas (1991). Public Speaking in a Free Society. USA: Mc. Graw Hill, Inc

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