Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Part of: Synthesis digital library of engineering and computer science.

Series from website.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-120).

1. Introduction --

2. Background preparation -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Learning about your audience -- 2.3 Collecting specific kinds of audience information -- 2.3.1 How many people will (or could) be in your audience? -- 2.3.2 What connection does each audience member have with your presentation? -- 2.3.3 Is the background of your audience members technical, non-technical, or both? -- 2.3.4 How much does each audience member know about your topic? What do they understand the problem to be? -- 2.3.5 What does each person expect you to do, and what do they expect to get out of the presentation? -- 2.3.6 What does each audience member value most? -- 2.3.7 What is the relative authority level of each audience member? -- 2.4 The setting for your presentation -- 2.5 Avoiding notes -- 2.5.1 Using a laser slide-advancer --

3. Presentation: customizing to your audience -- 3.1 Initial audience connection -- 3.2 Using appropriate language -- 3.2.1 Clearly defining and explaining technical terms -- 3.2.2 Using acronyms or abbreviations carefully -- 3.2.3 Using appropriate grammar and spelling -- 3.3 Relevant details -- 3.4 Taking questions --

4. Presentation: telling your story -- 4.1 Sequencing -- 4.1.1 Storyboarding -- 4.1.2 Making transitions -- 4.2 Emphasizing the key points -- 4.3 Context -- 4.4 Sensitivity to time --

5. Presentation: displaying key information -- 5.1 Layout and design -- 5.1.1 Slides with bullet points and more -- 5.1.2 Slides with color -- 5.1.3 Slides with information highlighted -- 5.2 Focused content -- 5.3 Amount of text -- 5.4 Engaging graphics -- 5.4.1 Charts -- 5.4.2 Slides with graphs and other graphics --

6. Delivering the presentation -- 6.1 First/last impressions -- 6.2 Flow -- 6.2.1 Avoiding memorization -- 6.2.2 Avoiding the use of "um's" -- 6.3 Elaboration -- 6.4 Stature -- 6.5 Vocal quality -- 6.5.1 Tone -- 6.5.2 Volume -- 6.5.3 Inflection -- 6.5.4 Pace -- 6.6 Personal presence -- 6.6.1 Energy -- 6.6.2 Eye contact -- 6.6.3 Movement --

7. Other oral communication skills -- 7.1 Challenges in oral communication -- 7.2 Choosing the right medium for supplementing your oral communication -- 7.3 Cross-cultural communication -- 7.4 Listening -- 7.5 Oral communication by phone -- 7.6 Oral communication in meetings -- 7.7 Oral communication in teams -- 7.8 Using oral communication to build social networks on the job --

8. Advanced oral communication skills -- 8.1 Making effective elevator talks -- 8.2 Creating and presenting an effective poster -- 8.2.1 Guidelines for creating posters -- 8.2.2 Preparing to present your poster --

References -- About the author.

Abstract freely available; full-text restricted to subscribers or individual document purchasers.

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Many of us have implemented oral communication instruction in our design courses, lab courses, and other courses where students give presentations. Others have students give presentations without instruction on how to become a better presenter. Many of us, then, could use a concise book that guides us on what instruction on oral communication should include, based on input from executives from different settings. This instruction will help our students get jobs and make them more likely to move up the career ladder, especially in these hard economic times. Oral Communication Excellence for Engineers and Scientists: Based on Executive Input is the tool we need. It is based on input from over 75 executives with engineering or science degrees, leading organizations that employ engineers and scientists. For the presentation chapter, the executives described what makes a "stellar presentation." And for every other chapter, they gave input, on, for example, how to effectively communicate in meetings and in teams, how to excel at phone communication, how to communicate electronically to supplement oral communication, and how to meet the challenges of oral communication. They also provided tips on cross-cultural communication, listening, choosing the appropriate medium for a communication, elevator pitches, and posters; and using oral communication to network on the job. Oral Communication Excellence for Engineers and Scientists includes exercises and activities for students and professionals, based on instruction that has improved Georgia Tech's students' presentation skills at a statistically significant level. Slides demonstrating best practices are included from Capstone Design students around the country.

Also available in print.

Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on August 14, 2013).