Key Presentation Skills in a Communications Program
- Research
- Visual Manipulation
- Nonverbal Communication
- Interpersonal Intelligence
- Critical Review
Communications students are no strangers to giving presentations. Most communications courses require presentations for both learning and demonstrating knowledge of the curriculum. This is because most communications careers call for professionals to deliver presentations in their daily work. Mastering these five presentation skills will put communication students a step closer to academic achievement and successful careers.
Related Resource: Top 20 Best Online Communications Degree Programs
1. Research
The difference between a good presentation and a great presentation evolves from the very beginning. The best communicators do extensive investigations in order to craft their ultimate message. Communications students must learn to research all background information on their topic and discern between fact and opinion. They must pick out only the most relevant stories and data. US News & World Report offers these tips for honing the research skills necessary for adequate presentation preparation.
2. Visual Manipulation
Another necessary preparation skill is the ability to create high quality visual manipulations of one’s presentation materials. Most people enjoy having something to look at as they listen to the speaker. Some visual learners actually require it in order to fully absorb the information. Some visual must-haves are PowerPoint slides with bullet point summaries, graphs and charts of key data, and photographs that create a positive aesthetic which grabs the attention, but does not overwhelm the senses, of a diverse audience.
3. Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is equally important while delivering the presentation as it is during preparation of the visual aids. Body language should evoke confidence and facilitate connection through strong posture and direct eye contact. The presenter should speak slowly and clearly, pausing after key information. The presenter’s voice should be loud enough for all audience members to be able to hear, but not so loud as to make anyone uncomfortable. Gesturing should be limited only to emphasizing important information and directing audience attention to certain visuals.
4. Interpersonal Intelligence
Communications students must keep in mind that their audience members are, first and foremost, humans. The presentation must therefore appeal to human emotions and feel like a conversation. This requires high interpersonal intelligence. The presenter must read the room to determine the right type of personality to evoke. Interpersonal intelligence might mean asking for audience participation, questions, and input. Humor is often very effective, so long as it is clean and relatable enough to appeal to diverse audiences. Interpersonal intelligence means invoking some type of emotion in listeners and convincing them that the message offers them something they desire.
5. Critical Review
The presentation should continue long after it ends. The best presenters follow up with their audiences immediately by allowing them to end the presentation themselves through a question and answer session. They also follow-up long-term through surveys and questionnaires about both the material and the audience’s experience of the material. This allows presenters to remain relevant to their listeners while also learning ways to improve their next presentations.
From preparation through follow-up, these five skills comprise the ultimate presentation toolkit. Communications students who master this toolkit will not only stop dreading their presentation assignments, but they will actually grow to look forward to them. These skills will carry them through their academic journeys and on to rewarding communications careers.