CHAPTER 6: PREPARING A SPEECH OR PRESENTATION
Why is it important to have good writing skills? •
Record keeping (case history, ongoing clinical) • Correspondence with clients (treatment plans, post-treatment reports, homecare instructions) • Correspondence with equine health care practitioners • Articles/publications
Why is it important to have good presentation skills? • Live demonstrations • Trade shows/equine expos • Information sessions • Guest speaker
LEARN HOW TO PREPARE A PRESENTATION OR SPEECH
You have all been bored at some time or another by a speaker’s grating voice, self -conscious manner, and dull material. If you are called upon to speak in public, you have an obligation to your listeners. Do not waste their time! If you follow carefully eight public-speaking rules, your performance should be good. 1. Select a subject carefully. Keep in mind the occasion and your audience. A valedictory address to classmates will be entirely different from your storytelling to amuse the neighbour’s children. 2. In your mind, clarify your goal. Are you trying to persuade, convince, inform, or entertain your listener? Different purposes require different material and organization. 3. Collect information and material on your subject. Do your research. 4. Outline your speech/presentation in point form. Keep in mind the three divisions of introduction, body and conclusion. It is much better to learn five main points of your speech/presentation than to memorize the whole speech. Memorized speeches sound mechanical and are usually poorly received. 5. Prepare a skilful opening and conclusion to your speech/presentation. Be original and sincere. 6. Make your speech/presentation vivid and interesting. Use concrete examples, clear illustrations, fresh comparisons and contrasts, picturesque details, and noteworthy quotations. 7. Rehearse your speech/presentation several times. Have somebody time your delivery. 8. Deliver your speech/presentation in an alert, sincere manner. Your eye contact, stance, and voice should contribute to the pleasing impression your material makes on your audience.
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