Define the Objective of Your Speech (Chapter One, Video 2: Speak in Public)

Summary

This guide outlines key steps for preparing a presentation. Start by understanding who requested the presentation, their role, and your relationship with them. Then, ask critical questions: Who is the audience? How familiar are they with the topic? What are the presentation's logistics—face-to-face, remote, with or without slides? When is the presentation, and how long will it be? Lastly, why were you chosen to present? This approach helps structure content, adapt to the audience, and maintain engagement. A helpful tip: bridge the knowledge gap by listing what the audience knows before and what they should know after.

Takeaways

• 🧐 Understand the audience: Consider the relationship with the requester and the audience's role to tailor your presentation.
• 🗣️ Define your audience: Adapt your language and content based on the size and familiarity of your audience with the subject.
• 🔧 Adjust to the format: Prepare differently for face-to-face, remote, or online presentations, and consider the available equipment.
• ⏰ Be aware of timing: Know the presentation's date and duration to manage your content and preparation time effectively.
• 📝 Focus on the content: Keep your speech well-structured and relevant by focusing on the main points and avoiding unnecessary details.
• 💡 Know your purpose: Be clear on why you are giving the presentation and what you aim to achieve with your audience.
• 📋 Use the 5W1H approach: Answer the questions 'who,' 'how,' 'when,' 'what,' and 'why' to guide your presentation planning.
• 📝 Create an outline: Write down the information and ideas that stem from your answers to the 5W1H questions to form a draft outline.
• 📈 Bridge the knowledge gap: Use a 'before' and 'after' column strategy to determine what the audience knows and what you want them to learn.
• 🎯 Aim for retention: Ensure your presentation is designed to leave a lasting impression and key takeaways for the audience.

Q & A

Question 1: What is the first step to take when preparing a presentation?

The first step is to ask yourself who has requested the presentation and what your relationship with them is.

Question 2: Why is it important to define your relationship with the person requesting the presentation?

Defining the relationship helps you understand their expectations and adapt your presentation accordingly.

Question 3: What are the key questions you should answer when preparing a presentation?

The key questions are: Who, How, When, What, and Why.

Question 4: How does the size of your audience affect your presentation style?

The size of the audience influences how you express your content. You may need to adjust your communication style depending on whether you are speaking to a large or small group.

Question 5: How should you adapt your vocabulary for different audiences?

You should adapt your vocabulary based on the audience's familiarity with the subject. For beginners, simplify your language; for experts, you can use more technical terms.

Question 6: Why is it important to understand the audience's background and knowledge level?

Understanding the audience’s background prevents you from losing them with jargon or assumptions that they share your knowledge, helping you keep their attention.

Question 7: What factors should you consider regarding the format of the presentation?

You need to consider whether the presentation will be face-to-face, remote, live, or pre-recorded, and what equipment, such as microphones or slides, will be available.

Question 8: How does the format of the presentation influence your body language and gestures?

The format determines how you can use hand gestures and whether you can carry notes. For example, holding a handheld microphone limits gestures compared to a worn microphone.

Question 9: Why is it important to define the length of the presentation?

Knowing the presentation length helps you plan your content accordingly and manage time efficiently during preparation and delivery.

Question 10: What is the purpose of identifying the 'why' behind your presentation?

Understanding why you were asked to give the presentation helps you clarify your role, whether it's to inform, teach, or inspire the audience, and highlights why you are the best person for the job.

Question 11: What method is suggested for organizing your presentation content?

A suggested method is to create three columns: 'Before,' listing what the audience knows before the presentation; 'After,' listing what you want them to know after; and 'Middle,' which outlines the content bridging the two.