Learning goals

We are learning to…

communicate clearly, using proper structure and style for a specific purpose for an intended audience
demonstrate an understanding of appropriate speaking behaviour in most situations, using a variety of speaking strategies and adapting them to suit the purpose and audience

Success criteria

I am able to…

explain the structure needed to communicate clearly, depending on topic and audience
identify and choose effective and appropriate style and structure to communicate in specific situations
plan a presentation for a specific audience, choosing the appropriate structure, style and main idea for that audience

Minds On

Preparing a presentation

You have been asked to prepare a presentation next week at school. You are able to choose one of the following topics and one of the following audiences. The presentation is to be 10 minutes (maximum) and needs to be engaging for that audience.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Work with a partner, if possible, or record your ideas using a method of your choice on a plan for this presentation.

Possible presentation topics

Possible presentation audiences

bus safety
things to do at recess
what sinks? what floats?
the provinces of Canada
how to be a good friend
how can we effect positive change

the grade 7 & 8 classes
the kindergarten students
the grade 4, 5, 6 teachers
the office staff
the community

Be ready to share your ideas!

Action

Analyzing different scenarios

Communicating clearly and coherently (which means that our audience understands) is important. The style of communication and the way in which we communicate will be different depending on:

who we are communicating with
the topic we are communicating about
why we are communicating about this topic

In the Minds On activity, you were asked to plan a presentation on a topic for an audience. Return to these options. Would the presentation be different if you chose a different combination of topic and audience? How would it be different?

Consider the following audio clip scenarios and determine how you would communicate clearly and coherently to that audience (paying close attention to the topic, the purpose and the audience)?

You can use the following checklist to help you examine the scenarios.

Presentation Planning

What would the style of my presentation be?

Will I use humour? Will it be a passionate plea? Will it be informational or persuasive?

What would the structure of my presentation be?

Will it be formal with the use of visual or auditory aids? Will it be chairs in a circle and more of a discussion?

Access the following audio recording entitled “Presentation Scenarios” to examine the three scenarios to consider for this task.

Presentation Scenarios

Record your ideas in the following fillable and printable “Scenarios Analysis Chart” or use another method of your choice.

Scenarios Analysis Chart
Situation	Ideas for communication style and structure (purpose, audience, topic)
Scenario 1: You are speaking to a community group about the possibility of creating a new community garden in a public park area that everyone can benefit from. You would really like support and assistance to make this garden a reality.
Scenario 2: You are on Student Council and speaking to the students at the school assembly to gauge their interest in performing a musical at the school. This has never been done before.
Scenario 3: You are speaking to various groups in your community about the fact that there has been litter found in the streets and sidewalk areas of the neighbourhood that you live in.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Scenarios Analysis Chart.

Activity

Consolidation

Preparing your presentations

Now that we have discussed the different styles and structures of presentations in order to communicate clearly and coherently, you are going to choose two of the following options.

In each option, the type of presentation has been given. You are to plan:

who the audience could be
what the main idea of the message could be
what style and structure you will use

Consider the following options:

a supportive message to a sports team
a situation in a school meeting discussing important school year plans
new facts about where to place a new water fountain in an office
a gathering where humour is needed in a group setting
a passionate statement at a large public gathering

Use the following checklist as you prepare your presentations.

Presentation Planning

Presentation 1	Presentation 2
What would the style of my presentation be? Will I use humour? Will it be a passionate plea? Will it be informational or persuasive? What would the structure of my presentation be? Will it be formal with the use of visual or auditory aids? Will it be chairs in a circle and more of a discussion?	What would the style of my presentation be? Will I use humour? Will it be a passionate plea? Will it be informational or persuasive? What would the structure of my presentation be? Will it be formal with the use of visual or auditory aids? Will it be chairs in a circle and more of a discussion?

Presentation 1

Presentation 2

What would the style of my presentation be?

Will I use humour? Will it be a passionate plea? Will it be informational or persuasive?

What would the structure of my presentation be?

Will it be formal with the use of visual or auditory aids? Will it be chairs in a circle and more of a discussion?

What would the style of my presentation be?

Will I use humour? Will it be a passionate plea? Will it be informational or persuasive?

What would the structure of my presentation be?

Will it be formal with the use of visual or auditory aids? Will it be chairs in a circle and more of a discussion?

Record your responses in the following "Presentations Planning Chart" or using a method of your choice. Practice recording your ideas as an audio recording, if possible.

Presentation Planning Chart
Presentation choice	Who is the audience for this presentation?	What is the main idea of my message?	What is the plan for the style of my presentation?	What is the plan for the structure of my presentation?

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Presentations Planning Chart.

Activity

Reflection

As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.

I feel…

I have an excellent understanding of the concepts I have a very good understanding of the concepts I have some understanding but need to review some more my understanding of the concepts needs a lot more work

Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.