How to Deliver a Suitable Presentation

Chapter nine in Envision is an interesting chapter. The main focus in this chapter is how to deliver a presentation. After reading through this chapter I was able to answer four important questions about presentations. How can I transform a written argument into a presentation? What are the branches of oratory, and how do they shape my presentation options? When should I use a speech, a poster session, PowerPoint, or a live performance? How can the canons of memory and delivery help my presentation? If I am able to get a good understand on these questions I should have a strong presentation. Aristotle divided oratory into three branches based on time, purpose, and content. The first branch is judicial or forensic discourse, which involves defending or accusing and deals with the past. The second branch is deliberative or legislative discourse, which concerns politics or policy and typically argues for or against specific actions that might take place in the future. The third branch is the epideictic or ceremonial discourse, which generally deals with the present.

There are important things to know when it comes to turning your written argument into a presentation. First plan for a shorter presentation time than what you actually have allotted. Most people speak longer than they expect to. When preparing a speech it’s important to be organized. Have an outline so it’s easy to look at when delivering a speech. The last step is translating your writing from text meant to be read to text meant to be heard. Choosing the right delivery of a presentation can make or break your speech. It’s important to have visuals to keep your listeners attention during your presentation. There are countless forms that a person can use including posters, multimedia, and slideshows. To deliver a powerful presentation you need to involve the last two canons of rhetoric, memory and delivery. Memory entails both memorizing one’s argument to communicate it to the audience and evoking memorable phrases. Delivery concerns strategies of presenting your argument to an audience. Following these guidelines should help a person deliver a worthy presentation.