Purposes of presentations
At the same time you consider the specific purpose of your presentation,you may want to
pick a generic presentation purpose to help you guide the design of your presentation.
These are the main presentation purposes.
1.Informative
An informative presentation is brief and to the point.Present the facts and avoid
complicated information.Present the information using either a logical,temporal,
geographical or cause and effect structure.
2.Instructional
An instructional presentation leaves the participants with a new skill.You may have to
cover the topic thoroughly and design activities for the participants to attempt to use their
new knowledge and new skills.
3.Arousing
An arousing presentation makes people think about a problem or situation.You may be
trying to get their active support or just their understanding.Arousing presentations use
vivid language and visuals,they are often emotional and a bit manipulative.But never
cold hearted
4.Persuasive
A persuasive presentation attempts to convince the audience to accept your proposal or
solution to a controversy,dispute,or problem.You must convince the audience that you
have fully examined the problem and all solutions,and have selected or produced the best
solution possible.You may need to directly address alternative solutions.You may need
to use logic,evidence and emotion.
5.Decision-making
As with persuasive presentations,in a decision-making presentation you have a suggested
action that you want your audience to take.However,they could decide to do nothing.
You must convince them to carry out your requests,and how to do so.You should also
tell them the consequences of doing nothing.
While scientific presentations tend to be either informative or instructional,they often
include elements of the arousing,persuasive and decision-making presentation purposes.
For example,why is the problem (and solution) you are presenting interesting?Why
should your audience accept your solution?Given two alternatives,which should they
choose to solve problem