ENGL 2311 Introduction to Technical Writing

ENGL 2311-018: M/W 2:00 - 3:20 ENGL 2311-021: M/W 3:30 - 4:50
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Oral Presentation (Group) Assignment

Overview

Your group will prepare a 12-15 minute PowerPoint presentation based upon your Collaborative Proposal Assignment.

Your presentation should include the following elements:

  • A clear statement of the issue your group is addressing;
  • Background information about the issue;
  • A discussion of the research your group conducted;
  • The results of your research;
  • A clear proposal for action.

Following your talk, your classmates will ask questions of you based on your presentation.

Audience and Selection of Task

Present the material as if you are speaking to the people to whom your formal proposal is directed. You should prepare as if you were giving a formal presentation in the workplace, so your presentation needs to be professional, polished, and concise. Keep in mind that you will only have 15-18 minutes, so you'll need to be highly organized.

Deliverable

The deliverable for this assignment is the act of your presentation, and the visual aids that you use to enhance your presentation. Your group must e-mail me a copy of your slides on the day that you present. Should you choose to use another form of visual aid (posters, handouts, etc.) as a supplement, you must provide me with copies.

You will also be graded on your attendance. Since this is a group assignment, all members must be in attendance and ready to present. Absent students will receive a zero for the assignment.

Helpful Hints

...for the presenters

You will use PowerPoint slides, but be careful not to make them the focus of your presentation. You want your audience to pay attention to you and not the design of your slides. Your slides should serve to complement your discussion rather than take away from the main ideas you present during your talk.

You only have 12-15 minutes, so get to the point. With limited time, you have to make careful decisions about how you will present your information to your audience. Determine how much information you can communicate in your allotted time.

Rehearse your presentation several times, so that you are thoroughly familiar with material. You don't want to try to memorize the talk, but you should have the main points clear in your mind.

As you are speaking, pay attention to your time and your audience. Also, speak clearly, maintain eye contact, signal your audience to a new point by providing transitions, and choose language that is vivid and memorable.

Each member of the group must conduct an approximately equal part of the presentation. Transitions between speakers will also be counted as  part of the grade.

...for the audience:

As members of the audience, you have just as important a role as the speaker. You should maintain respect for the speaker at all times:

  • listen closely and carefully
  • avoid talking with others
  • avoid reading/studying
  • avoid using the computer

Take notes while the speaker is talking, and note any areas where you are confused or need further clarification. This could be a useful question for the Q&A session.