Page 294 - Nutrition Counseling and Education Skills: A Guide for Professionals

people are not aware that the organization of a presentation is critical to the response of the audience. An
audience might retain about the same amount of information after hearing an organized presentation
compared with a disorganized presentation, but only attendees at the organized presentation would consider
its message seriously or possibly change their attitude toward the subject matter. An audience that hears an
organized speaker is more likely to infer that the speaker is competent. An organized presentation gives the
audience a sense that he or she knows exactly where the talk is going by structuring the talk with a defined
beginning, middle, and end.6–8,10–12

Title and Speaker Introduction

Two important pieces precede the presentation itself: the creation of the presentation title and format of the
speaker introduction. The title, as the initial impression, sets the stage by providing an interest level to the
audience of the presentation. The title should be engaging but informative. It should prompt a degree of
curiosity without deterring from the actual purpose of the presentation. The program organizer may suggest a
title early in the process. The presenter should strive to have input into the final decision as a method of
ensuring an initial energy level of audience expectation. For example, compare the following title options of
“Diabetic Management” or “Innovative Methods to Improve Diabetic Management.” The audience
anticipates the active learning setting and value that the second option suggests.7

The introduction of the speaker should provide the information necessary for the audience to establish his
or her credibility with the subject matter in a concise manner. The goal is to highlight only the pertinent
information relevant to the audience rather than share the speaker’s entire life history. The speaker
introduction is most effective when it weaves professional information with a personal touch to connect the
audience with the speaker. The speaker should provide a brief written introduction to the presenter to help
link the content to the audience’s recognition of the speaker’s professional expertise. For example, the
introduction could begin with pertinent educational and work experience. The introduction could continue
with a suggested phrase such as “You may have read Mary’s current article on this subject in the June issue of
the Journal of the American Medical Association . . .” or “You will be interested to know Mary engages in the
physical activity philosophy she will share today by being an avid walker herself . . . .”

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1

How would you be introduced if you were asked to give a talk on nutrition? Write out an
introduction for yourself.

Each of the three main organizational components of the actual presentation serves a specific function. The
introduction begins the presentation by providing basic information to create interest. The body presents the
actual data, details, and substance of the topic. The summary concludes the presentation and provides a take-
home message for the audience. Generally, the introduction and summary sections should each take about 5
to 10 minutes of presentation time. The body should comprise the remainder of allotted time to cover the
material while allowing for audience questions after the summary.7–12 A detailed discussion of each component
follows.

294