Osborne High School Senior Project 2017- 2018
III. DELIVERY & APPEARANCE
A. Delivery
1. Note cards may be used, but they should not be read; use your visual outline as you proceed through your presentation
(by pointing to items as you speak).
2. Feel free to walk around a bit, within a defined area.
3. Use your hands to gesture for emphasis if you are comfortable enough to do so.
4. Use voice inflection and repetition to highlight important points and to keep interest.
5. Make eye-contact with all of the judges -- not just one.
6. Face the audience at all times! Do not turn your back on your audience to look at a TV screen or an overhead
projection.
B. Appearance
1. You should be clean and well-groomed.
2. You should be dressed in a manner appropriate for a business presentation.
Osborne High School appreciates Joyce Taaffe for her expertise and guidance in the formulation of this manual.
Further Suggestions for Presentations
From Toastmasters International Better Speaker Series
Requirements: The student is required to present an eight to ten minute speech with visual aids before a panel of judges. He or she
should wear appropriate business attire. Students should avoid dressing as they would for a party or date.
Planning the Speech: The student should complete an outline to help organize the speech. It will help to write the main points of the
speech on note cards and use those cards when practicing. Sufficient practice is the key to a good speech. Students should time the speech
when practicing so they know the time limit is acceptable. Delivery techniques include: 1) speaking slowly and clearly 2) knowing the
material 3) making frequent eye contact with the judges and 4) not reading from cards or a script.
Organizing the Speech: Basic Speech Outline
1) The Introduction
2) The Body
a) Main ideas or points
b) Supporting material
3) The Conclusion
Begin in the Middle
1) List key points
2) Arrange them in order
3) Expand those points
4) Develop an introduction
5) Develop a closing
Successful Speech Openings
1) Get attention
2) Introduce the topic
3) Establish rapport
4) Take 5 – 10 percent of the speech time
Some Opening Techniques
1) State importance of topic
2) Startle the audience
3) Arouse suspense/curiosity
4) Tell a story
5) Ask a rhetorical question
6) Begin with a quotation
7) Reference the occasion
Successful Speech Conclusions
1) Achieve closure
2) Summarize main points
3) Make an impact
4) Take five to ten percent of speech time
Some Closing Techniques
1) Use a quotation
2) Tell a story
3) Call for action
4) Ask a rhetorical question
5) Refer to the beginning
6) Repeat main points
Thanks to Kelli Self – Reynolds High – for this page
16
This guide has been adapted and revised from Hillgrove Senior Project Student Handbook for Osborne Cardinal Capstone Student Handbook.