This document provides guidance on planning a presentation by outlining key questions to consider about the purpose, audience, and logistics. Some questions to determine purpose include what the speaker wants the audience to know and do with the information. Other questions address audience expectations, motivations for attending, and concerns related to the topic. Additional considerations involve the type of presentation, whether it will be live or recorded, location, visual aids, speaker arrangements, audience seating, duration, and formality level. Answering these questions can help speakers choose a topic and tailor their message for maximum impact.
This document provides guidance on planning a presentation by outlining key questions to consider about the purpose, audience, and logistics. Some questions to determine purpose include what the speaker wants the audience to know and do with the information. Other questions address audience expectations, motivations for attending, and concerns related to the topic. Additional considerations involve the type of presentation, whether it will be live or recorded, location, visual aids, speaker arrangements, audience seating, duration, and formality level. Answering these questions can help speakers choose a topic and tailor their message for maximum impact.
This document provides guidance on planning a presentation by outlining key questions to consider about the purpose, audience, and logistics. Some questions to determine purpose include what the speaker wants the audience to know and do with the information. Other questions address audience expectations, motivations for attending, and concerns related to the topic. Additional considerations involve the type of presentation, whether it will be live or recorded, location, visual aids, speaker arrangements, audience seating, duration, and formality level. Answering these questions can help speakers choose a topic and tailor their message for maximum impact.
Complete the following fields to prepare your speech. This information can help you determine your topic and method.
• What is the purpose of my speech?
• What do I want my audience to know? • What do I want my audience to do with the information I am providing? • What do I hope to achieve (i.e. build credibility, garner support (for a cause), get funding? build exposure, etc.)? Do you want the audience to buy products, invest, approve something? • What are your/company/audience expectations for the presentation? • Why was I asked to present? • How will my audience respond to the message? • What is my audience’s motivation/purpose for attending my presentation? • Is attendance voluntary or required? • What keeps the audience up at night (related to the topic)? You want to make sure your content addresses what they are worried about—and how you can help. • What gets your audience up in the morning, (also related to the topic)? Why are they excited about your topic? • What are your strengths as weaknesses as a public speaker?
Other Considerations When Preparing A Speech
• Type of speech (online/webinar/in person/panel/interview/other)? • Recorded and/or live? • Location? • Number of participants? • Visual aids? • Sitting/standing? Podium/table? • Microphone (clip on or handheld)? • Featured (sole) speaker or one of a lineup (how many? What order?)? • Audience seating arrangements? • Duration and time of day? • Formal/informal?