COMM 1800 Workplace Writing and Presentation Skills

Oral Presentation Assignment

Topic

Prepare an oral presentation to deliver to your fellow classmates. The topic is

open, except that it must be business-related. You should choose a topic that you
are interested in, that your audience will find interesting, and that you are already
knowledgeable about. Do not choose a topic that will require a great deal of
research. If you are in doubt about the suitability of your topic, discuss it with me.

Use of Visuals or Props

You must use visuals or props to complement the content of the presentation.
Visuals can include PowerPoint or overheads. Handouts are strongly
discouraged. A Bristol board presentation is not appropriate. Photographs are not
appropriate unless they are scanned and put onto an overhead transparency or
PowerPoint slide. Photos must not be passed around during the presentation.
Props must be relevant and integral to the presentation. They must be referred to
in the presentation.

Organization of the Presentation

You must develop a three-part presentation: introduction, body and conclusion.

Each part of the presentation should achieve its purpose, as outlined in your text.
See Communicating for Results, pages 428-430. Include linking or transitional
words (signpost words) to guide your audience through the presentation and
establish coherence.

Time Limit

Your presentation should be five minutes in length. Time will be called at the five-
minute mark. You will be stopped when you exceed the limit by 30 seconds.

Dates

Oral presentations will be conducted during Week 14 and 15. Specific dates will
be assigned during class in Week 12. You are responsible for familiarizing
yourself with any equipment you will use during the presentation.
Value 10% of your final mark

Marks will be distributed as follows:

Preliminary assignments: Topic statement

Point form outline 2% 10 marks

Oral presentation 10% 50 marks

You must deliver the presentation on the date that is assigned. Failure to do so,
without providing appropriate documentation to explain your absence, will result
in a mark of 0 for the assignment.

Evaluation

You will be evaluated according to the Oral Presentation Marking Standards

which you will find in the Oral Presentation folder on eConestoga. In addition,
see the Marking Sheet, also on eConestoga, to understand how marks will be
distributed.

Attendance

All students are expected to attend each oral presentation. A penalty will be
applied for failing to attend classmates presentations. Absence will result in a
10% penalty for each double class missed and a 5% penalty for each single
class missed while presentations are being given. Any applicable penalty will be
deducted from an individuals oral presentation mark. For example, a student
who receives a mark of 75% on the oral presentation assignment and who
misses a 2-hour class in which others are presenting will receive a mark of 65%
for the assignment. To avoid this penalty, documentation for absences will be
required.