The Short Road to Great Presentations -- Comprehensive Book on Presentation Skills

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A reader review from amazon.com:

From preparation to final delivery, from overcoming stage fright to managing Power Point, this wonderfully engaging and easy-to-read book takes you through every aspect of giving a presentation -- and makes it easy! By the time I had finished it, I felt able to give just about any presentation to any size or type of group. I went out and did it, using the Reimolds' methods, and it worked. I got my message across, and I think I did it persuasively. Anyone who has to give a presentation must take "The Short Road" to success.

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The Short Road to Great Presentations:
How to Reach Any Audience Through Focused Preparation,
Inspired Delivery, and Smart Use of Technology

Peter and Cheryl Reimold

John Wiley & Sons/IEEE Press, 2003, 342 pages.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Part 1: Audience-Focused Preparation

1 Knowing Your Audience and Purpose

How To Care About the Audience from the Start
Playing "Twenty Questions" with Your Audience

The Importance of Being Specific in Your Questions
Asking the Tough Questions – If Necessary, with Help
Audience and Purpose Analysis: Example 1
Audience and Purpose Analysis: Example 2

2 A Universal Presentation Structure

The Basis for the Universal Presentation Structure
The Need for Simple, Linear Order
The Need for Well-Spaced Repetition
The Need to Adapt to the Audience's Natural Attention Curve

3 The RAMP Formula for Effective Introductions

The Four Functions of the Introduction
The Rapport Builder
Title Slides vs. Rapport Builders
Some Turn-Offs
Effective Attention Getters

Four Important Reasons for an Attention Getter
Delaying the Attention Getter
Example of Problem or Benefit
Anecdote
Quote
Question
Visual
Statistics
Analogy
Demo Object
Demonstration Event
How About Jokes as Ice-Breakers?

The Main Message
The Plan
Overcoming Common Obstacles to a Strong Start

Obstacle #1: Fear of Being Different
Obstacle #2: Fear of Commitment
Obstacle #3: Fear of Appearing Biased or Unscientific
Obstacle #4: Fear of Losing Suspense
Obstacle #5: The "I Have No Message, Only Information" Fallacy

4 The Body

Making It Easy To Follow
A Simple, Linear Structure
Helpful Repetition
No Unnecessary Or Overly Complex Details
Keeping It Varied
Using the Power of Examples
Why Do People Avoid Using Examples?
Example 1: Poorly Structured Presentation
Example 2: More Effective Presentation Approach and Structure

5 The Summary

How To Summarize
A Cardinal Error: Outstaying Your Welcome

6 Preparing Effective Visuals

Being Selective: Know Your Purpose
Choosing the Right Chart Type
Making Text and Images Big and Bold (The 18-Point Rule)
Keeping It Simple and Easy To Process (The Three-Second Rule)
Some Simple Ways To Make Visuals Easier To Process
The Limits of Direct Labeling
Word Charts and the Three-Second Rule
Making Key Ideas Memorable Through Graphics
Why Create Memorable Visuals?
Using Symbolic Images As a Layout Element
Using Graphics for (Tasteful and Gentle) Humorous Effect
How To Produce Memorable Visuals
A Caveat
Using Color to Advantage
A Balanced Palette: How Your Software Can Help
The Color Wheel
Common Color Schemes Based on the Color Wheel
Psychology of Colors

7 Notes, Rehearsing, and Handouts
Preparing Notes and Rehearsing

Right and Wrong Notes
Practicing From Your Notes
Weaning Yourself From Your Notes
Answers to Some Common Questions About Notes

Being Prepared for Trouble

Problems with Equipment Or Facilities
Problems with Time Or Audience Resistance

Preparing Handouts

Part 2: Persuasive Delivery

8 The Magic of Connection

The Triangle of Power: Real You, Real Audience, Real Purpose
Four Aspects of Audience Connection

9 The Winning Attitude

The Starting Point: A Caring Attitude
Checking Your Preparation
Checking the Setuping
Learn To Love Any Audience
The Power of a Smile
Beating Stage Fright

10 Connecting Through Body Talk

Getting Past the "Terror Line" Into Comfortable Contact Zone
Keeping in Touch Through Motivated Movement
Energy—The Language of Success
Finding Your Base: The Athletic Stance
Focusing Energy in Your Upper Body
Developing Natural, Useful Gestures

1. Common Action Verbs
2. Other Common Words and Phrases
3. Abstract Ideas Made Concrete

Understanding and Controlling Body Language

11 Connecting Through Voice and Language
The Basics: Be Heard and Understood
Improving Your Articulation
The Right Speed
Emotions and Voice

The Heavy Price of Shunning Emotions
Controlling Your Pitch

Using Language That Reaches People
Word Choice and Your Listeners’ Learning Styles
Overcoming Distracting Verbal Habits
Getting Rid of "Uhm," "You Know," and Other Verbal Crutches
Replace "And" with More Helpful Transitions

12 Staying in Touch Through Eye Contact
The Art of Conversing with Your Eyes
Eye Contact and Fear
How To Achieve Strong Eye Contact

13 Handling Notes
Park Or Carry?
Recovering From an Omission

14 Handling Visuals

Reviewing Your Preparation and Setup
Keeping in Touch with Your Audience
Avoiding Distractions
Pointer Fiddling
Moving Shadows
Demo Objects Or SamplesSpecial Issues with Overhead Projectors

The Keystone Effect
Transparencies Sliding Around Or Falling Off
Transparencies Curling and Floating Off the Projector

15 Handling Questions

Reducing Surprises Through Preparation
Deciding When To Take Questions
Setting and Using Q&A Rules
Basic Question-Handling Skills

Controlling Your Body Language While Dealing with Questions
Your Key Skill: "Simple Answer First"
What To Do When You Don’t Know the Answer
Handling Multiple Questions
Handling Complex Questions
Postponing Questions
Diverting Off-Track Questions
Stopping People From Monopolizing the Discussion
Closing the Session with Style and Focus

Handling Hostile Questions

Problem #1: The Unsettling Effect of a Surprise Attack
Problem #2: The Lingering Effect of the Caustic Question Or Remark
Problem #3: The Tendency for the Attack To Continue

16 Dealing with Unpleasant Surprises
Equipment Troubles
The "Shrinking Time" Problem
Bored or Turned-Off Audience
Sleepers
Side Shows
Impromptu Presentations

Prepared "Impromptu" Speeches
Dealing with True Surprises

17 Moderating a Conference Session

Common Complaints About Conference Sessions
Learning Your ABC – Or PQR
The Power of Early Preparation

Motivating Speakers To Prepare Well and Early
Getting a Head Start on Your Own Contributions

Laying the Groundwork for Interesting Questions
On the Scene: Making Your Contract with the Speakers
Getting Off to a Strong Start
Keeping the Session Lively But Under Control
Actions Ten Minutes Before the Session
Closing the Session in Style
The Art of Stimulating Discussion Through Good Questions

Using Focused Questions
Specific Use of Focused Questions in Panel Discussions
Controlling Uncivilized Or Otherwise Out-of-Line Questions

Part 3: Making the Most of Presentation Technology

18 Making the Transition to Electronic Slide Shows

Scenario 1: Gone with the Wind II
Scenario 2: Hot Under the Collar
Is It Worth Getting Involved?
A Painless Migration Path Via Color Transparencies
Incorporating Color Photographs
Moving to Electronic Slide Shows
Typical Equipment
Audio and Video Integration

19 Using Presentation Software Intelligently

Making Visuals Easy To See and Understand
Achieving Consistency and Balance Through Slide Masters
Using Content Templates
Using and Customizing Electronic Clip Art
Preparing Slide Shows

The Triple Challenge
Transitions
Text Animation Or Build-up Slides
Animating Graphics
Hidden Slides
Optional Branches to Embedded Presentations
Black Slides
Embedding Video, Sound, and Other Applications in Your Show

20 Practicing and Delivering Slide Shows

The Radical Approach to Practicing
A Sample Practice Session Without Projector

Practicing Setup
Practicing How To Troubleshoot Image and Sound Problems
Practicing Slide Show Control

Practicing with a Projector
Delivering Your Electronic Presentation

Basic Setup
Projector Setup
Troubleshooting
Issues with Remote Controls
Show Time!

21 Web Presentations and Web Meetings

What Is an E-Meeting?
Why Meet This Way?
Getting Started
Presentations, the Web, and Multimedia

Visiting the Web During a Presentation
Saving a Presentation for Web Delivery
Adding Animation, Transitions, and Video Or Audio Clips
Narrated Presentations

Appendix A Sample Annotated Presentation Structure

Appendix B Procedure and Worksheet for Analyzing Audience/Purpose

Appendix C General Presentation Outline Form

Appendix D Specific Outlines for Common Presentation Types

Appendix E Checklist for Presentations

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