November 14, 2008

Chapter 17

This chapter gave suggestions for carrying over your reader-centered approach in your writing to a listener-centered approach in your oral presentations. There are guidelines ranging from defining your presentation's objectives, to setting up your visuals and rehearsing. You must start similar to when you plan your writing. Determine what your listeners want to know, need to know, and best way to deliver it to them.

There are three different styles for oral presentations. The scripted style is good for complex information, but it limits your ability to interact with your audience and make adjustments should you discover you need them. The outline style starts with bulleted points, and while it allows for a more flexible presentation, you are less likely to seem unorganized and miss key points. The impromptu style is best when you know the subject forward and back. There is little preparation and allows for a more interactive presentation.

Group presentations do not require a whole lot of different preparation techniques. It is important to plan well, all for some individual differences, move well between presenters, respect each other, and practice together for the best results.

Chapter 18

This chapter gives guidelines for developing a web page or site with the reader in mind. While there were some points that made sense, even though I had not consciously thought of them while surfing websites on my own, constructing the site so readers with disabilities can use it was one area I had not considered. There was information on what type of text to use so a visually impaired person can enlarge it, and the tag that will help convert your written type to audio with specific programs. There are ways to add captions. Making a clickable area larger can help readers who have difficulty operating a mouse. It can also be important to include visual prompts as a supplement to audio cues for those with hearing impairment.

It is no surprise the book again offers excellent information on targeting your reader (or listener).