Module 13: Oral Presentations
Technical Writing by Tiffani Tijerina is licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International
Technical Writing by Tiffani Tijerina is licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International
Analyze, plan, and structure technical, scientific, or business presentations to meet the specific needs, expectations, and cultural contexts of their target audience.
Design clear, engaging, and professional visual aids (using platforms like PowerPoint or Google Slides) that enhance technical message delivery without introducing visual clutter).
Manage vocal variety (pitch, tone, pace) and physical delivery (posture, body gestures, facial expressions) to confidently present technical data.
Recognize and decode nonverbal cues (such as facial expressions, kinesics, and environmental contexts) to accurately guage audience feedback and establish speaker credibility.
Assess how cultural backgrounds, situational contexts, and behavioral factors (such as micro-expressions or signs of deception) influence how communication is received and interpreted.
*Explainer and knowledge check questions generated with Notebook LM, using Open TC 2e, Chapter 21 as the source content.
Read all four sections of this chapter.
*Explainer generated with Notebook LM, using Communication in the Real World, Chapter 4 as the source content. Both are licensed CC BY-NC-SA.
Read all parts of this chapter (they are each very short).
More than Memos is a YouTube account with some really great analyses of different examples of technical communication. With each module, I'll assign you a video to watch with a different example. Enjoy!
In today's professional environment, technical communicators must be skilled at delivering both in-person and virtual presentations. Consider if you were to present your recommendation report to two different audiences, one in a virtual format and one in-person.
What specific adaptations would you need to make to your presentation style, delivery, and materials for each format?
How do audience engagement strategies differ between live and virtual settings?
What are the unique challenges and advantages of each presentation format?
How might you handle technical demonstrations differently in each environment?
What role does body language and non-verbal communication play in each setting?
How would you modify your visual aids and supporting materials for optimal effectiveness in each format?
Share your thoughts and experiences, considering both your (the presenters) and the audience's perspective.