Page 59 - DENG401_Advance Communication Skills

Advanced Communication Skills

Notes Organisation of the details in order of importance is in itself not sufficient. Certain other factors
also need to be kept in mind. Primary among them is the use of words. Which words would be
most effective? Which of them should be used and which ones avoided? Colloquial(s) and
slang(s) should be religiously avoided. Though the temptation may be great to display one's
knowledge or use of superfluous words, restraint should be exercised, as this can affect the
quality of the presentation and make it sound boring and monotonous. In place of these, you
could use precise, simple and non-technical words.

Notes Six great helpers in Presentation
Helpers Determining Functions
1. Why Purpose–to inform, persuade, influence, empathise, entertain and sympathise.
2. Who Attributes of listener–personality, age, education, status, knowledge and anticipated
response.
3. Where Place–formal or informal.
4. When Context/time.
5. What Subject matter–scope and need.
6. How Strategies to be adopted–Words, pictures, slides, transparencies–which ones need to
be incorporated or deleted.

Next is the tone, where sufficient emphasis with adequate pauses will have a long lasting impact
on the receiver. Together with the tone and the words used, which are equally important, the
selection of the appropriate medium for communication of the message should also be kept in
mind. You could use pictures or visual aids as helper to communicate your message. The message
is always better received if it stimulates and appeals to both the visual and auditory senses.

Conclusion Remarks
Notes
It is really not all that difficult making presentations in front of a large gathering if a few
factors are kept in mind. Primary among them is the attitude towards the situation as well
as the audience. You definitely need to be positive. In case there is even an iota of doubt
regarding the stance to be adopted towards the participants, you must remove or substitute
it. The speaker should emerge as an assertive communicator, whose thought, process is
positive as evidenced through his body sport or oral presentation.

The speaker has to break the ice and gain acceptance. If he can succeed in doing so, the
presentation is a success and the speaker's skills, laudable. It needs a lot of effort but once
a positive start has been made, the going is not all that tough, as the audience will themselves
endeavour to make the entire session a successful one.

2.6 Team Presentations – A Few Tips

Another type of presentation you may be asked to give is a group or team presentation. Group
presentations require individual speaking skills plus planning for collaboration. To the following
adaptations, you should give special thought in your team presentation.

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