5. Effective Speaking:

5. Effective Speaking: the Long Presentation. Sometimes you will be asked to present
a rather lengthy speech to inform members of an audience of new policies, procedures, or
products; to exchange technical material; to present research findings; or to analyze
budget considerations. The long presentation differs from the short one in several ways:
o The length of the long presentation may vary from 10 to 60 minutes
o Visuals are used more frequently in the long presentation
o The concepts and ideas in the long presentation are usually more
complex.
o Audience involvement and participation are more common in the long
presentation
Like other presentations, long speeches contain an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
o Introduction: The introduction is critical since its purpose is to gain the attention
of the listeners. This may be accomplished by establishing rapport with your
audience. If you are an „outsider,‟ they need to be reassured of your competence
and honesty. Your introduction should include a statement of the topic for
discussion and how it is relevant to the audience. If you plan to use new or
technical terms, be sure you define them in the introduction.
o Body: Organize the body of your long speech as you would a long written report.
Make sure you have researched your topic thoroughly. Organize your ideas in a
logical sequence and provide supporting data.
o Conclusion: The data presented should lead naturally to the specific points in the
conclusion. These points may be listed and emphasized. Then you wellsubstantiated
recommendations may follow. The way you deliver your conclusion
may determine the effectiveness of your speech. Plan the conclusion carefully,
using visual aids if appropriate to increase audience retention of key points.