Planning phase: Start with a blank sheet of paper - don't ever start by opening PowerPoint Write out the Objectives Speech Types: --Informative: deliver information --Persuasive: persuade someone. Not purely informational, may want to include a few more stories/anecdotes. Include facts/info, open with a strong story then provide info to back it up. --Entertain: engineers don't do this much. Very emotional, lots of stories/jokes. Who is the audience? Avoid jargon with non-engineers What is the setting? --Is there a projector/screen? Do you need a mic? Do the audience members have tables to write on? What's the risk involved? Presentation to high school kids about engineering = low, presentation to win a project = high. Have a backup plan so things can keep going smoothly even if something fails. Design phase: Types of slides: --document: take what should be on a piece of paper, put it on a slide. Worst presenters turn around and read what's on the slide. Very bad. People can read 2-2.5x faster than you can read it to them. If necessary, put the info in a handout and give it to people. Never use a document slide. --teleprompter: helpful for the speaker, not the audience. Audience will read it quickly but won't mean much to them. Not very helpful in communicating. --Visual aid slide: very helpful. Use visual aids instead of verbage. See what an elephant looks like and where it's located vs. text description. Can keep the teleprompter slide open to the side for your use. "90% of how well the talk will go is determined before the speaker steps on the platform" --Somers White, public speaking expert Delivery: Do a self assessment - what would you like to get better at? Have other people do an assessment. Checklist in book? Record presentations, make notes Work on eye contact with audience, makes connection with audience Communication triangle: 7% words, 33% vocal tone, 60% facial expression and body language Dress the part: you're an engineer, dress like one Unless audience is engineers IN YOUR FIELD, avoid jargon Have situational awareness. Good habits: --practice and practice out loud --Only way to get rid of anxiety is practice, practice, practice --Don't just show a cool thing, don't use props as a substitute for the speech