Resources
AUDIO- AND VIDEOCASSETTES
Kushner, Malcolm. Public Speaking for Dummies. New York: Harper Audio, 1998, 90 min. audiocassette.
This audio program teaches how to research and organize a presentation, grab and keep the audience’s attention, project confidence through voice and body language, turn nervousness into an advantage, and use humor in the presentation.
National Seminars Group. PowerPoint for Windows. Kansas City, MO: National Seminars Group, 110 min. (avg.) videocassette, also available on CD-ROM.
This series of beginning, intermediate, and advanced instruction is available in two different formats to teach the use of PowerPoint for producing presentation visuals.
Pike, Bob. Creative Training and Presentation Techniques: 96 Ways to Bring PIZZAZZ Into Your Presentations. Minneapolis, MN: Creative Training Techniques, 1993, 48 min. videocassette.
This title is a step-by-step guide to preparing a presentation that moves audiences into action. Included are four 15-minute video modules on preparation, opening/closings, motivation, and creative techniques as well as a facilitator’s guide and participant workbook.
Smith, Debra. Powerful Presentation Skills. Boulder, CO: CareerTrack, 1994. 147 min. videocassette, also available on 228 min. audiocassette.
This program is geared to help presenters get a group’s attention, hold people’s interest, and persuade people to act. It includes strategies for creating effective visuals, practicing presentations, controlling nervousness, and putting the audience “in the palm of your hand.”
Sutton, Helen, and Michele Chik. Speaking Without Fear or Nervousness. Boulder, CO: CareerTrack, 1995, 115 min. videocassette, also available on 161 min. audiocassette.
This program provides remedies for symptoms of nervousness, strategies for establishing rapport with a group, and mental imagery techniques to help you prepare for a presentation. By replacing self-defeating thoughts with positive expectations, you can increase poise when making presentations, leading meetings, or joining group discussions.
Video Arts Limited. Making Your Case. Chicago, IL: Video Arts Limited, 1982, 25 min. videocassette.
Alice in Wonderland characters demonstrate areas in which presenters can go wrong and how they can follow a simple set of rules to go right. Included are a leader’s guide and briefcase booklet.
BOOKS
Brandt, Richard C. Flip Charts: How to Draw Them and How to Use Them. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Pfeiffer, 1987.
The quintessential guide for using flip charts to focus attention, record ideas, and generate involvement.
Burn, Bonnie E. Flip Chart Power: Secrets of the Masters. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Pfeiffer, 1996.
A source of innovative flip chart techniques proven to increase retention, engage the audience, focus attention, and prioritize items and ideas.
Diamond, Lynn, and Stephanie Robers. Effective Videoconferencing. Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1996.
In a self-study format, this title provides videoconferencing tips and methods. Included are the tactics for evaluating videoconferencing costs, preparing storyboards, avoiding scheduling headaches, and conducting videoconferencing meetings.
Hoff, Ron. I Can See You Naked. Kansas City, MO: Andrews and McMeel, 1992.
A complete guide to public speaking that describes the qualities of a good presenter and discusses openings, nervousness, boredom, audiences, question handling, and more. This title is known as “the first to look, sound, and play like a presentation.”
Kearny, Lynn, and Colleen Wilder. Graphics for Presenters: Getting Your Ideas Across. Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1996.
“A 50 Minute Book” on using pictures, symbols, and color to present key ideas, develop images, and give instructions.
Krannich, Caryl Rae. 101 Secrets of Highly Effective Speakers: Controlling Fear, Commanding Attention. Manassas Park, VA: Impact Publications, 1998.
Carefully following each step in the presentation process, this book pulls together the major principles and techniques used by today’s most effective speakers, with an emphasis on preparation.
MacManus, Judith A. How to Write and Deliver an Effective Speech. Indianapolis, IN: Macmillan General Reference, 1998.
As part of Arco’s “How To Series,” this book offers practical advice on every aspect of public speaking, from research to writing to delivering.
Mandel, Steve. Effective Presentation Skills. Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, 1993.
“A 50 Minute Book” on preparing and delivering presentations. Included are guidelines for organizing thoughts, developing visual aids, using effective body language, and conducting Q&A sessions.
Pike, Bob, and Dave Arch. Dealing with Difficult Participants: 127 Practical Strategies for Minimizing Resistance and Maximizing Results in Your Presentations. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Pfeiffer, 1997.
The authors identify the most common traits of difficult participants that a trainer can encounter and address both preventative and corrective strategies to turn aggravating participants into active learners.
Pike, Bob, and Randy Johnson. Powerful Audiovisual Techniques: 101 Ideas to Increase the Impact and Effectiveness of Your Training. Minneapolis, MN: Lakewood Publications, 1994.
The how-to’s assembled here represent tried-and-tested ideas for creating high-impact visuals. A valuable resource for putting together a training session.
Rabb, Margaret Y., and Molly Joss. Looking Good In Presentations. Scottsdale, AZ: The Coriolis Group, 1999.
The newest trends in presentation design are covered in this title. The authors help people avoid common mistakes, communicate with the greatest punch, and add pizzazz to their presentations.
Reilly, Brian. Create PowerPoint Presentations in a Weekend. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1998.
This fast-track guide gives you the know-how and resources to master the elements of attractive, interesting, and effective presentations.
Robbins, Jo. High-Impact Presentations: A Multimedia Approach. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1997.
The focus is on using multimedia to enliven material, engage audiences, and make presentations more effective. Computer-aided presentations and related software packages are highlighted. Tips on speaking and encouraging audience participation round out the focus.
Wilder, Claudyne, and David Fine. Point, Click & Wow!! San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Pfeiffer, 1996.
All aspects of laptop presentations are covered in this text. Learn how to balance on-screen activity with human interaction; create and manage visuals for maximum effect; rehearse a laptop presentation; and organize the presentation to manage software and hardware issues, travel, and equipment constraints.
Zelazny, Gene. Say It with Charts: The Executive’s Guide to Visual Communication. Chicago, IL: Irwin Professional Publications, 1996.
Includes a portfolio of 80 different charts and a dictionary of 150 visual images to help presenters choose the best chart form and translate data and ideas into visual concepts.
MULTIMEDIA
Weadock, Glenn E., and Emily Sherrill Weadock. Creating Cool PowerPoint 91 Presentations. Foster City, CA: IDG Books, 1997.
The expert’s techniques—for creating graphics, charts, borders, and backgrounds, adding action to complex data and dull statistics, integrating multimedia clips, and producing handouts that are useful to your audience long after the show is over—emphasize that it takes more than software alone to make a successful presentation. A bonus CD-ROM is included.
WEBSITES
The home page for Presentations magazine. Here is an excellent source of information on the technical resources available for presenters. Each issue also includes a few tips or guidelines for making effective presentations.
http://www.trainingsupersite.com
Lakewood publications’ website offers a wide variety of resources, including books, videos, audiotape programs, and seminars, on subjects related to making effective presentations.