Presentation Skills (Oral and non-verbal communication)
Presentation skills in both oral and non-verbal communication are important. Presentation
skills are the abilities and qualities necessary for creating and delivering a compelling presentation
that effectively communicates information and ideas. They encompass what you say, how you
structure it, and the materials you include to support what you say, such as slides, videos, or
images. Not only the words spoken but also body language which includes facial expressions, eye
contact, and overall demeanor, all work together to effectively convey your message and engage
your audience. We need to make presentations at various occasions. For example:
Making speeches at a conference, wedding, or another event
Explaining projects to a team
Delivering results and findings to management teams
Teaching people specific methods or information
Proposing a vote at community group meetings
Pitching a new idea or business to potential partners or investors
Effective presentation skills in oral and non-verbal communication are:
Verbal Communication (Oral):
Clear articulation: Speaking clearly and confidently, projecting your voice enough to ensure
everyone can hear. Think before you speak, pausing when necessary, and tailoring the way you talk
to resonate with your particular audience.
Voice Projection: Projecting your voice improves your presentation by allowing your audience to
hear you. It also increases your confidence.
Pace and rhythm: Delivering information at a comfortable speed with natural pauses.
Language choice: Selecting words that are relevant to your audience and aligned with the topic.
Non-Verbal Communication:
Eye contact: Maintaining eye contact with different members of the audience to create connection
and engagement.
Facial expressions: Using expressions like smiles, nods, and raised eyebrows to convey enthusiasm
and understanding.
Body language: Standing tall with good posture, using natural gestures to emphasize points, and
avoiding fidgeting.
Posture: How you present yourself affects your body language and ability to project your voice.
Remain open, upright, and adaptable while considering the formality of the occasion instead of
looking overly tense.
Proxemics: Managing the physical distance between yourself and the audience to create an
appropriate level of intimacy.
Visual aids: Utilizing slides, charts, and images to support your points and enhance comprehension.
Storytelling
Many powerful public speakers use storytelling effectively and incorporate it into their
presentations. Storytelling can bring your subject to life and pique the audience’s curiosity. Don’t
be afraid to tell a personal story, slowly building up suspense or adding a dramatic moment. And,
of course, be sure to end with a positive takeaway to drive your point home.
Active listening
Active listening is a valuable skill all on its own. When you understand and thoughtfully respond to
what you hear—whether it's in a conversation or during a presentation—you’ll likely deepen your
personal relationships and actively engage audiences during a presentation. As part of your
presentation skill set, it helps catch and maintain the audience’s attention, helping them remain
focused while minimising passive response, ensuring the message is delivered correctly, and
encouraging a call to action.
Stage presence
During a presentation, projecting confidence can help keep your audience engaged. Stage presence
can help you connect with your audience and encourage them to want to watch you. To improve
your presence, try amplifying your normal demeanour with enthusiasm. Project confidence and
keep your information interesting.
Watch your audience as you present. If you hold their attention, it likely means you’re connecting
well with them.
Self-awareness
Monitoring your emotions and reactions will allow you to react well in various situations. It will
also help you remain personable throughout your presentation and handle feedback well. Self-
awareness can help soothe nervousness during presentations, allowing you to perform more
effectively.
Writing practice
Writing skills can help you master your presentation’s outline to ensure you stay on message and
remain clear about your objectives from the beginning until the end. It’s also helpful to have strong
writing abilities for creating compelling slides and other visual aids.
Understanding an audience
When you understand your audience's needs and interests, you can design your presentation around
them. This will deliver maximum value to them and enhance your ability to make your message
easy to understand.
Use of presentation tools
Visual aids and other technical support can transform an otherwise good presentation into a wow-
worthy one. Use a few popular presentation tools like Canva, Powtoon and PPT.
The following things should be considered in oral and non-verbal presentations:
Audience awareness and self-awareness:
Use presentation style which can fulfill the needs and expectations of the audience.
Practice and preparation:
Make more practice and get prepared for smooth and confident presentation.
Self-confidence and managing nervousness:
Using breathing techniques and positive self-talk to manage anxiety before and during a
presentation.
Overcoming fear, gaining experience, breathing technique etc are important.
Arrive early: It’s important to avoid adding travel stress. Give yourself ample time to arrive early at
your destination.
Become familiar with the layout of the room: Arriving early also allows you to assess the room and
determine where you want to stand. Experiment with the acoustics to determine how loudly you
need to project your voice and test your equipment to make sure everything connects and appears
properly with the available setup.
Listen to the presenters ahead of you as it makes you more comfortable at you presentation.
