Types of Presentations

by Randall P. Whatley

The first step in preparing a presentation is to define the purposeof your presentation.

The following is an overview of several common types of presentationsand their purpose. Each presentation type requires a specificorganization technique to assure they are understood and remembered bythe audience. The suggested organizational structure is also provided.

1. Informative

   Keep an informative presentation brief and to the point. Stick to thefacts and avoid complicated information. Choose one of the followingorganizational structures for an informative presentation:

   • Time

     • Explains when things should happen
     • Works best with visual people or people who can see the overall organization or sequence of events
     • Use words like "first," "second," "third," to list order

   • Place

     • Explains where things should happen
     • Works best with people who understand the group or area you are talking about
     • Use words like "Region 1, 2, 3, or 4" to explain order

   • Cause and Effect

     • Explains how things should happen
     • Works best with people who understand the relationship between events
     • Use phrases like "Because of _____, we now have to ______"

   • Logical Order

     Simply list items in their order of importance Works best with peoplewho are accustomed to breaking down complex data into components inorder to digest the material

2. Instructional

   Your purpose in an instructional presentation is to give specificdirections or orders. Your presentation will probably be a bit longer,because it has to cover your topic thoroughly. In an instructionalpresentation, your listeners should come away with new knowledge or anew skill.

   • Explain why the information or skill is valuable to the audience
   • Explain the learning objectives of the instructional program
   • Demonstrate the process if it involves something in which the audience will later participate using the following method
     • Demonstrate it first without comment
     • Demonstrate it again with a brief explanation
     • Demonstrate it a third time, step-by-step, with an explanation
     • Have the participants practice the skill
   • Provide participants the opportunity to ask questions, give, and receive feedback from you and their peers
   • Connect the learning to actual use
   • Have participants verbally state how they will use it

3. Arousing

   Your purpose in an arousing presentation is to make people thinkabout a certain problem or situation. You want to arouse the audience'semotions and intellect so that they will be receptive to your point ofview. Use vivid language in an arousing presentation-- project sincerityand enthusiasm.

   • Gain attention with a story that illustrates (and sometimes exaggerates) the problem
   • Show the need to solve the problem and illustrate it with an example that is general or commonplace
   • Describe your solution for a satisfactory resolution to the problem
   • Compare/contrast the two worlds with the problem solved and unsolved
   • Call the audience to action to help solve the problem
   • Give the audience a directive that is clear, easy, and immediate

4. Persuasive

   Your purpose in a persuasive presentation is to convince yourlisteners to accept your proposal. A convincing persuasive presentationoffers a solution to a controversy, dispute, or problem. To succeed witha persuasive presentation, you must present sufficient logic, evidence,and emotion to sway the audience to your viewpoint.

   • Create a great introduction because a persuasive presentation introduction must accomplish the following:
     • Seize the audience's attention
     • Disclose the problem or needs that your product or service will satisfy
   • Tantalize the audience by describing the advantages of solving the problem or need
   • Create a desire for the audience to agree with you by describing exactly how your product or service with fill their real needs
   • Close your persuasive presentation with a call to action
   • Ask for the order
   • Ask for the decision that you want to be made
   • Ask for the course of action that you want to be followed

5. Decision-making

   Your purpose in a decision-making presentation is to move youraudience to take your suggested action. A decision-making presentationpresents ideas, suggestions, and arguments strongly enough to persuadean audience to carry out your requests. In a decision-makingpresentation, you must tell the audience what to do and how to do it.You should also let them know what will happen if the don't do what youask.

   • Gain attention with a story that illustrates the problem
   • Show the need to solve the problem and illustrate it with an example that is general or commonplace
   • Describe your solution to bring a satisfactory resolution to the problem
   • Compare/contrast the two worlds with the problem solved and unsolved
   • Call the audience to action to help solve the problem and give them a way to be part of the solution