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How to Give an Effective Presentation
You may have an opportunity to address a group regarding nuclear power. The key to the success of any speaking engagement is the time you spend preparing for it and your ability to stick to the message once you get there.
- BE PREPARED Know your material, know your audience, practice your speech, and stick to the key points.
- BE YOURSELF Speak from personal experience. Everyone can relate to and trust personal, anecdotal stories.
- SPEAK SLOWLY AND CLEARLY Pause frequently, especially after making your strongest points or saying something complicated.
- STAY ON MESSAGE Message discipline is always critical in any campaign. Do not let anyone get you off the subject and avoid going off on tangents.
- MOVE PEOPLE TO ACTION Offer a concrete action so people can get involved. List three ways that people can help. Don't just say "write to your congressman," tell them "write to your congressman to tell them to reject the nuclear power subsidies in the energy bill."
- HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY Speak from what you know. If you don’t know the answer, SAY SO. The audience will respect this response. Tell your questioner you will get back to him or her ASAP…THEN DO IT. Feel free to call us for answers to questions, we are here to help you.
- KEEP IT SIMPLE Use plain English. Jargon and "tech speak" will create a barrier between you and your audience.
- USE BODY LANGUAGE AND HUMOR Smile, get involved with the audience. Your face, eyes, hands, arms and body should be used to impart vitality and conviction. Laughter is a universal language; don’t be afraid to use a little humor to promote a friendly, confident image.
- STAY COOL Some proponents of nuclear power may try to disrupt your presentation or make you angry. Stay cool and don’t lose your temper. When someone is rude to you and you don’t resort to rudeness in response, the rest of the audience will emotionally take your side.
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