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Oral Communications

Oral Communication

Dee Oseroff-Varnell and Mary M.Dalton, (Department of Communication) have produced a unique series of instructional videotapes that focus on oral presentations. Their goal was to develop a set of instructional tools for students who are required to make oral presentations for their classes but do not have any formal public speaking training. These short videos offer tips for constructing and delivering a variety of types of presentations. The numerous "real life" examples used in these tapes specifically target college students. RealPlayer is required to view these presentations. You may download it from this link.

Part 1: Planning your Presentation

Identifies three important building blocks of effective speaking: researching your topic, organizing your information, and preparing your note cards.

Part 2: Preparing a Formal Speech

Examines four basic components of a formal speech: the introduction, transitions, the body, and the conclusion.

Part 3: Adapting to your Audience

Identifies demographic and situational factors in an audience that students should consider as they prepare an oral presentation.

Part 4: Delivery Techniques

Focuses on four aspects of nonverbal communication in an oral presentation: appearance, facial expressions, gestures, and movement.

Part 5: Options for Oral Presentations

Offers a variety of examples for student presentations: the formal speech, a demonstration, debate, and role play.

Part 6: Supporting Your Ideas

Examines how to build an argument in your presentation by stating a claim, backing it up with different types of evidence, and using reasoning to link the claim and the evidence.

Part 7: Overcoming the Fear of Speaking

Explains why we feel nervous when we speak and how to combat that anxiety in a speaking situation.

Part 8: Using Powerpoint in Oral Presentations

Gives the student some guidelines for preparing and using powerpoint in an oral presentation to improve clarity, understanding, and overall effectiveness.