Page 381 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

364 Appendix B

contrary to your topic, then you need to create common ground with them and relate
your main ideas through the perspectives of the audience. For instance, if you plan to
argue for the medical use of marijuana to an audience that is opposed to drug use, then
you must connect to your listeners in some way. One way might be to talk about how
much all of us value pain management for our loved ones, then relate your main points
to those values. Audiences rarely think and feel exactly like the small group that pre-
pared the presentation, so it is imperative that you learn something about their perspec-
tives in order to craft your presentation accordingly.
Some audiences may not be there by choice. Your task still remains: Find out
about your audience so you don’t bore them or talk over their heads. The more you
know about the audience, the more you can connect them to your presentation and
make them feel like they matter to you.

Your Occasion
Why have you been asked to present your group’s final product? Who has asked you?
Often, this person can help you understand both the audience and the specifics of the
occasion. If it is a class presentation, clarify with your instructor the specific require-
ments for the presentation and what you can and can’t do. If this is not a class presen-
tation, try to visit the place to become comfortable with the setting. Ask about the
number of people expected to attend. Will there be other speakers? How much con-
trol will you have over your setting? Clarify why you have been asked to speak and
whether there are specific goals you will be expected to meet.

Your Purpose
Knowing clearly what you are trying to accomplish is an essential step in any effective
presentation. If you do not know what you are doing and why, how can you get
through to your audience? Many public group presentations are intended to educate
and distribute information. For example, if your university’s president has convened a
student task force to investigate how best to improve student- community relations,
then you may be asked to report your findings to the president and the city council.
Your purpose is primarily informational. On the other hand, if you are charged with
implementing a solution or presenting a recommendation, then your purpose becomes
persuasive. Persuasive presentations involve explicit calls to action on the audience’s
part. Group presentations that are part of a small group discussion course often
involve both informative and persuasive purposes.

Your Subject or Topic
Sometimes the most difficult part of planning is figuring out how to begin. The audi-
ence, the occasion, and your purpose help identify your specific subject and relevant
subtopics. Often, you cannot present all the information you have gathered over the
course of a project’s life. Sometimes the person or agency that invited you to speak has
an agenda that will guide your subject selection. You may be given a particular structure

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