What is oral presentation define its stages?

1. KNOW YOUR SUBJECT MATTER

While this first point may seem obvious, it is very important that you research every nuance of your subject. Read reports and look up information about the subject with the specific purpose of writing a presentation script. When examined in this light, new ideas and alternative ways of thinking often develop. The ability to present a subject with confidence directly affects your audience's impressions and will help keep their attention.

This is especially important when giving a design presentation or proposal since you are in effect selling" your ideas to the audience. This applies whether the audience is a potential client or your own board of directors.

2. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

A small amount of research into the makeup of your audience will reap large benefits on presentation day.

If you were traveling about speaking on behalf of a new construction project you would tailor vastly different presentations to an audience of engineers and a city council. You'd should also have a couple of other versions for local community activist groups. (depending on whether they're for or against the project)

Before you 're-purpose' your Teamsters speech for use at the Baptist Building Fund make the obvious adjustments and then carefully review your content from the 'philosophical' viewpoint of your audience. (related to Know Your Limits Below)

If a small amount of research will help you, imagine what a moderate amount will do!

3. KNOW YOURSELF (and your limits)

We all must push our limits and willingly bite off more than we may be comfortable swallowing on occasion -- this is how we learn and grow. Knowing a few of your limits, however, might avert disaster, or at least embarrassment.

Intimately related to Know Your Audience above, your 'limits' are just where you may or may not tread, depending on the makeup of your audience and your relationship with them.

Just because the Mormons laughed when Whoopee Goldberg said or did something doesn't mean you can pull it off. The Presbyterians might think it amusing while the Baptists call it blasphemy. In fact, I'm certain the the mere mention of specific 'denominations' here will generate angry E-mail. (See also, the Devil is in the Details later on)

George Carlin, Tom Peters, Billy Graham, Al Sharpton and a host of others can get away with, and even receive praise and applause for saying or doing things that would get you or me tarred, feathered, sued or booed by our respective audiences.

4. DEVELOP A THEME

All presentations, regardless of their complexity, are designed with a single purpose. Whether that purpose is to sell, educate, or for pure entertainment, state that purpose to yourself at the beginning of the development process. Keep this purpose in mind always.

5. PREPARE YOUR SCRIPT

The script does not necessarily have to be a work of literary Excellence. For some, simple notes on 3 x 5 file cards are sufficient. Other presenters and presentations require a carefully composed, professionally developed script. The exact form of the script depends on the formality of the presentation, the make up of the audience and who will be presenting it. Any presentation script, regardless of complexity is like any other business correspondence. It should consist of the same four basic parts, an opening, body, summary and closing.

• THE OPENING

  The opening of the presentation sets the stage for what is to follow. Participants are introduced and the purpose of the presentation is stated. You should also present a VERY BRIEF summary or outline of the points to be covered. This helps keep your audience oriented properly within the framework of your script.

• BODY

  This is the part of the script in which the bulk of the subject matter is presented. The body of a long presentation should be separated into smaller, easily assimilated modules. Each module or sub-section should make a single point or convey one idea. These sub-sections should each have their own simple opening, body and summary.

SUMMARY

This portion should be very brief and simple. Here is your chance to reinforce the central theme and purpose of your presentation. Briefly emphasize the key points and main ideas of your script in this section.

There is an old axiom that says ... "Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them." This pretty well sums it up.

Question and answer sessions often follow a final summary and are very productive if managed properly. You should encourage questions from the audience if time or format permits, but be prepared to answer them. If you do not know the correct answer to a question, don't try to fake it. You should refer the question to someone who can answer it correctly or make a note to yourself to obtain the answer later. When you do, contact the person or persons who asked it as soon as possible. This makes an Excellent door opener for follow up calls.