Download Strategies for Engineering Communication

Delivering Presentations
 Presentation skills develop with practice
 Delivery involves three key elements:
• Body language (eye contact, use of space and
movement, gestures)
• Voice (projection, pitch, pace)
• Speaking style (connection with audience, clarity and
conciseness, level of vocabulary
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Improving Body Language
 Sustain eye contact
 Size gesture and movement to the space available
 Maintain an open posture
 Use facial expressions to emphasize message, express
enthusiasm, and indicate that you are approachable
 Study how dynamic speakers use body language
 Videotape your presentation or practice in front of an
audience who will give you feedback
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Improving Posture
Problem
Tilted posture
Solution
Stand straight, weight even on both feet
Slumped posture Keep shoulders back, knees relaxed
Leaning away
Keep knees slightly bent
Leaning on
something
Closed gestures
Move away from inviting surfaces
Fig leaf posture
Drop arms to side of body
Turn palms to audience
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Improving Gestures
Problem
Lecturing gestures
Steepling
Solution
Don’t point figure at audience, cross
arms, or put hands on hips
Don’t place hands in prayer position
Too few or too small Use more and larger gestures
gestures
Too few sustained
gestures
Hold gesture until point is completed
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Other Body Language Improvements
Problems
Solutions
Lack of sustained eye Hold eye contact long enough to
contact
complete a sentence
Repetitive
movements and
irritating habits
Avoid fidgeting, pushing glasses up
the nose, playing with hair, jingling
change in pocket, rubbing hands
together, rising up on toes, etc.
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Improving Voice
 Speak naturally rather than reading from notes
 Breathe deeply and practice projecting your voice
 Keep chin level to avoid a high-pitched voice
 Avoid pitching up at the end of a statement
 Vary your pace to enhance your message
 Use pauses to create emphasis
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Improving Voice
Problem
Pitching up
Solution
Have someone model what you’re doing
and then practice maintaining level pitch
at end of sentences.
Sounding stilted Avoid reading; give presentations at
every opportunity to increase confidence
Not enunciating
clearly
Improve diction by pausing, breathing
deeply, and slowing down
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Improving Voice
Problem
Solution
Fading out
Breathe more deeply and/or more often
Not projecting
Breathe more deeply or speak in shorter,
less complicated sentences
Sounding dull
Gain control of anxiety and practice
varying tone, pitch, pace, volume, and
expression
Poor
pronunciation
Speak with good volume and pace;
practice pronouncing key words; work with
a voice coach.
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Improving Speaking Style
 Address your audience directly; personalize your
presentation
 Use simpler words, shorter sentences, and more
repetition
 Distinguish between jargon and specialized language
 Avoid filler sounds and words; pause silently
 Audiotape presentation and concentrate on one aspect
of speaking style at a time
 Practice voice exercises
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Improving Speaking Style
Problem
Solution
Using jargon or too Pay attention to audience’s level of
many acronyms
expertise and restrict use of acronyms
Being wordy
Rehearse with someone who will write
down wordy phrases, sentences, and
passages in your presentation
Revise for conciseness
Lacking personal
pronouns
Refer to people by name and switch
perspective to 1st or 2nd person
Using fillers
Practice pausing silently
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Practice, practice, practice
To improve your confidence and delivery,
consider one of the following activities:
 Join a Toastmasters’ club
 Take a presentation skills course at a local college
 Get involved in theatre sports
 Take up singing
 Sign-up for vocal coaching
 Take an auctioneering course
 Seek opportunities to present
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Toastmasters
 To locate the Toastmasters’ club nearest you, contact
[email protected]
 For more general information, visit the Toastmasters’
website at http://www.toastmasters.org
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