1.2 Types of Professional Presentations

Professional presentations come in three main flavors: informative, persuasive, and instructional. Each type has a unique purpose and structure, tailored to achieve specific goals with your audience.

Knowing which type to use is key. Consider your audience, primary goal, and setting when choosing. Then, adapt your content and delivery style to match the presentation type for maximum impact and effectiveness.

Presentation Types: Informative, Persuasive, Instructional

Informative Presentations

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Top images from around the web for Informative Presentations

• 

  Bringing Variable Renewable Energy Up to Scale : Options for Grid Integration Using Natural Gas ... View original

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• 

  The First Law of Thermodynamics | Biology for Majors I View original

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• 

  Renewable Energy : Evaluation of the World Bank Group’s Support for Electricity from Renewable ... View original

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• 

  Bringing Variable Renewable Energy Up to Scale : Options for Grid Integration Using Natural Gas ... View original

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• Aim to educate the audience about a specific topic, providing facts, data, and insights without attempting to change opinions or behaviors
• Focus on clarity, accuracy, and objectivity
• Examples:
  • A lecture on the history of ancient civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt)
  • A presentation on the latest advancements in renewable energy technologies (solar panels, wind turbines)

Persuasive Presentations

• Seek to influence the audience's beliefs, attitudes, or actions by presenting arguments, evidence, and emotional appeals
• Goal is to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a desired action
• Examples:
  • A sales pitch for a new product or service (smartphone, software solution)
  • A campaign speech advocating for a political candidate or policy

Instructional Presentations

• Focus on teaching the audience how to perform a specific task, process, or skill
• Provide step-by-step guidance, demonstrations, and practical examples to facilitate learning and comprehension
• Examples:
  • A tutorial on how to use a new software application (Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Excel)
  • A workshop on effective public speaking techniques

Purpose and Structure of Presentations

Informative Presentation Structure

• Clear introduction that captures attention
• Body that presents key information in a logical sequence
• Conclusion that summarizes main points and provides closure
• Purpose is to enhance the audience's knowledge and understanding of the topic

Persuasive Presentation Structure

• Similar structure to informative presentations but includes:
  • Clear thesis statement
  • Compelling arguments supported by evidence
  • Counterarguments and refutations
  • Strong call to action in the conclusion
• Purpose is to change the audience's perspective or motivate them to take a specific action

Instructional Presentation Structure

• Introduction that establishes the learning objectives
• Body that breaks down the process into manageable steps with demonstrations and examples
• Conclusion that recaps the key steps and provides opportunities for practice and feedback
• Purpose is to enable the audience to acquire and apply new skills or knowledge

Choosing the Right Presentation Type

Consider the Audience

• Assess the audience's prior knowledge, interests, and needs when selecting the presentation type
  • Informative presentation for an audience seeking to gain knowledge on a topic
  • Persuasive presentation for an audience that needs to be convinced or motivated to act

Align with the Primary Goal

• Select the presentation type based on the primary goal of the communication
  • Informative presentation to educate and raise awareness
  • Persuasive presentation to change attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors

Assess the Context and Setting

• Determine the most suitable approach based on the context and setting of the presentation
  • Instructional presentations for training sessions, workshops, or demonstrations where the audience needs to learn and apply new skills

Adapting Content and Delivery

Tailor Content to the Presentation Type

• Informative presentations: focus on clear explanations, well-organized content, and visual aids to support understanding; maintain an objective tone
• Persuasive presentations: craft compelling arguments, use persuasive language and rhetorical devices, and incorporate emotional appeals; adapt delivery style to convey passion and credibility
• Instructional presentations: break down complex tasks into manageable steps, provide clear instructions and demonstrations, and use visual aids and handouts; maintain a patient and supportive tone

Adjust Language and Examples

• Tailor the language, examples, and level of detail to the audience's background and expertise
• Use analogies, stories, and real-world examples to make the content relatable and memorable

Adapt Delivery Style

• Adjust pacing, vocal dynamics, and nonverbal communication to suit the presentation type and maintain audience engagement
  • Informative presentations may have a more measured pace
  • Persuasive presentations may require a more dynamic and energetic delivery
• Adapt delivery style to the audience's preferences and expectations to maximize impact and effectiveness