Presentation Skills

Author: Jim Stovall, Ray H. Holl

Studies have revealed that standing on a platform and speaking before an audience is one of our greatest fears. This may not seem logical, but numerous studies over the years have concluded that the fear of public speaking surpasses the fear of heights, snakes, drowning, flying, supernatural phenomena, and even death! This book discusses the various elements of delivering impactful, understandable, and useful presentations. These elements are carefully and simply explained, so that if you follow them, you can become a presenter who "dazzles" your audience instead of boring them, even if you are nervous at first. On the other hand, we must realize that not everyone can be eloquent speakers. While we may not possess the oratorical skill and eloquence of "Martin Luther King," we can bring forth the best of our public speaking abilities. Among the elements that constitute the content of this book are the following: 1. Stage fright: Why do people go through those terrifying moments when fear overtakes them, and they fail to utter the words they have practiced? The terrible fear within us lies in standing before an audience, unable to speak! 2. Why are we afraid to present before people? And how do we overcome this fear? 3. What are the characteristics of a great presenter? What do they have that I don't? 4. Who are the greatest speakers who changed the world? 5. Who are the speakers capable of influencing an individual's life and career? 6. Elements of an excellent presentation - tips and techniques for delivery. 7. The art of preparing a successful presentation. What do these presentations include? How can I prepare a similar presentation? And how do I know if I'm doing it correctly? 8. Delivering a presentation that dazzles the audience. How do I prepare a presentation that makes the audience applaud me when I finish? 9. Who are the worst public speakers? And what are the reasons that might lead to a bad presentation? 10. The art of using a microphone: The microphone is not our enemy, nor does it bite! 11. The art of stage presence and presentation delivery. What are the characteristics of a great speaker who "captures the audience's heart"? And how is this done? 12. The art of concluding a presentation. To leave an impression on the audience, the conclusion of a presentation is no less important than its beginning, and sometimes even more so! 13. Public speaking in your work and life. We have prepared this book with these elements in mind, and it is structured to be easy to read and understand. It was prepared to help you, the reader, acquire the confidence you need to be the best speaker you can be. We want you to "dazzle" your audience, so they always ask for more, not less. We also hope that "you" become the best you can be when you stand before an audience with a microphone in hand; you possess these abilities, otherwise you would not be reading this book! Dr. Ray Holl and Jim Stovall