Deck 14: Planning Presentations

Question 1

You should avoid seeking the help of public relations specialists when developing high-stakes presentations because they will make it too slick or glib.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The higher the knowledge level of your listeners, the more presentation time you should spend informing them.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Slides that have visible white space seem skimpy and give the presentation an unprofessional appearance.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The main purpose of including true stories in presentations is to entertain.

Question 5

The use of high-contrast backgrounds and colors in your slides causes eye fatigue and makes it harder for the audience to process the content.

Question 6

Antwan has to plan a business presentation. The last step in his planning should be to gain a deeper understanding of the needs of his audience.

Question 7

You should use as many slides in a presentation as possible to make sure you cover all aspects of your message or story.

Question 8

While planning your presentation, the first task is to identify the two or three key messages you want to convey.

Question 9

Your colleague tells you that she is worried about persuading the audience to listen to her presentation. You should advise her to make her preview as compelling as possible.

Question 10

Making business presentations comes naturally to most people.

Question 11

When using a story line approach to business presentations, the stories should connect facts with people and their business goals.

Question 12

Professionals with green motivational value systems are most attracted to action-oriented and results-oriented language and logic.

Question 13

Presentations put a spotlight on speakers, providing them with the opportunity to build credibility.

Question 14

While designing slides, use bold, italics, and other formatting features to make key phrases or key components in figures stand out.

Question 15

Starting a presentation by telling the story of your company is usually effective at capturing audience attention and providing helpful background.

Question 16

It is important to ensure that your slides are the primary focal point throughout your presentation.

Question 17

Presentations should use analytical appeals rather than emotional appeals.

Question 18

While reviewing your presentation, it is important to seek feedback from colleagues and clients before and after your presentation.

Question 19

Typos on electronic slides are considered negligible errors.

Question 20

In order to design your presentation slides for ease of processing, limit the amount of information on any given slide.

Question 21

Which of the following is related to the first step in the AIM planning process?

A) constructing your message to focus on the key takeaway concepts
B) analyzing your audience to make sure you are addressing their needs
C) developing your ideas by identifying the key facts and conclusions related to your topic
D) providing supporting points for key concepts throughout the message
E) applying the story line approach to your presentation

Question 22

Which of the following is true of kinesthetic learners?

A) They like loud, clear voices.
B) They enjoy gestures and metaphors.
C) They believe emotion is best conveyed through voice.
D) They need breaks about every 20 minutes.
E) They make up about 40 percent of the population.

Question 23

Victor works for a manager who has a hub motivational system. In presentations to his manager, Victor should use language that is

A) action oriented.
B) results oriented.
C) characterized by precision.
D) option oriented.
E) relationship-centered.

Question 24

The beginning of your presentation is critical because

A) it helps gain audience buy-in on specific actions.
B) it helps you identify the key decision makers in your audience.
C) it helps you understand your audience members' chief concerns.
D) audience members form quick impressions about you and your message during this time.
E) audience members are more willing to take some type of risk during this time.

Question 25

When you are giving a presentation, your audience is likely to judge you as having character if you

A) have two or three well-developed takeaway messages.
B) base your recommendations on facts.
C) show that you clearly know what you are talking about.
D) offer your views transparently.
E) show that you are interested in the needs of your audience.

Question 26

Connie, who works for a textbook company, has put together a presentation proposing that the company try to sell its textbooks to the untapped homeschooling market. She needs to present her idea to the executive committee. Considering the content of her presentation, which of the following people on the committee should she most try to influence?

A) the editorial director
B) the design director
C) the marketing director
D) the production director
E) the human resources director

Question 27

If you want your presentation to appeal to professionals with a blue motivational value system, you should

A) discuss immediate goals.
B) use relationship-centered terms.
C) use dispassionate, precise language.
D) blatantly appeal to emotion.
E) stress the benefits to different stakeholders.

Question 28

If you want your presentation to appeal to professionals with a green motivational value system, you should

A) discuss immediate goals.
B) use relationship-centered terms.
C) use dispassionate, precise language.
D) blatantly appeal to emotion.
E) stress the benefits to different stakeholders.

Question 29

The main aim of your presentation is to draw support and

A) prove how confident you are as a public speaker.
B) influence key decision makers in your audience.
C) involve your audience as little as possible.
D) analyze the motivational value systems.
E) understand the various types of learners in your audience.

Question 30

Gregor, who works at a textbook company, has put together a presentation proposing that the company save money by getting its images from less expensive stock photo sites. Gregor needs to present his idea to the executive committee. Considering the content of his presentation, which of the following people on the committee should he most try to influence?

A) the editorial director
B) the design director
C) the marketing director
D) the production director
E) the human resources director

Question 31

Which of the following belongs in the preview of a presentation?

A) a positioning statement
B) supporting material
C) a call to action
D) a personalized case study
E) a recap of the message

Question 32

Enrique is giving a presentation to convince his managers that offering yoga classes at work will improve productivity because it will help employees clear their minds. Which of the following aspects of his presentation shows that he is trying to include kinesthetic learners?

A) He has several photographs of the activities the class will do.
B) He has a slide that lists bulleted points giving the benefits of yoga.
C) He has practiced speaking in a confident, clear voice.
D) He will ask the audience to stand and do a simple yoga pose.
E) He will practice with a colleague to make sure his voice carries sufficiently.

Question 33

The preview of a presentation should generally include a(n)

A) example of the PREP method.
B) personalized case study.
C) attention-getter.
D) recap of the message.
E) call to action.

Question 34

When you are giving a presentation, your audience is likely to judge you as caring if you

A) have two or three well-developed takeaway messages.
B) are honest about the sources of your information.
C) show that you clearly know what you are talking about.
D) offer your views transparently.
E) show that you are interested in the needs of your audience.

Question 35

Which of the following is true of auditory learners?

A) They learn best from illustrations and simple diagrams.
B) They enjoy gestures and metaphors.
C) They believe emotion is best conveyed through voice.
D) They need breaks about every 20 minutes.
E) They make up about 20 percent of the population.

Question 36

Which of the following is true of visual learners?

A) They like loud, clear voices.
B) They enjoy gestures and metaphors.
C) They believe emotion is best conveyed through voice.
D) They need group activities or hands-on activities.
E) They make up the smallest proportion of the population.

Question 37

One of the first tasks to accomplish when developing a presentation is to

A) understand the needs of your audience.
B) gather content for an effective review.
C) use headings to create a storyboard.
D) develop effective slides.
E) apply the story line approach.

Question 38

For your presentation to be effective, you must summarize your ______ and reemphasize them several times.

A) key takeaway messages
B) supporting details
C) attention-getters
D) examples and evidences
E) rhetorical questions

Question 39

By doing audience analysis, Radika discovers that the people she will be giving her sales presentation to know very little about her product. Because of this, she is likely to decide to

A) involve them in her presentation.
B) eliminate bulleted and numbered lists from her slides.
C) use only emotional appeals in her presentation.
D) spend more presentation time informing the audience.
E) include multiple anecdotal stories that highlight her company.

Question 40

Which of the following is related to the final step in the AIM planning process?

A) applying the story line approach to your presentation
B) analyzing your audience to make sure you are addressing their needs
C) deciding how to speak to the audience in a way that is appealing and easy to follow
D) constructing your message to focus on the key takeaway concepts
E) developing your ideas by identifying the key facts and conclusions related to your topic

Question 41

In order to design your slides to facilitate ease of processing

A) limit your text to ten words per line.
B) provide as much information as possible on every slide.
C) use at least one compelling image on every slide.
D) use complex charts for complex information.
E) use at least three different fonts on every slide.

Question 42

What is the purpose of an overview?

A) to broaden the message enough to accommodate everyone's interests
B) to provide examples, illustrations, analogies, and quotations to support the main point
C) to identify the key decision makers in your audience
D) to provide a recap of the key messages
E) to show how your audience will benefit from the idea you are proposing

Question 43

Stan begins his presentation about a new type of spreadsheet software by showing managers a sample of how it works. What type of attention-getter is this?

A) a rhetorical question
B) an intriguing statistic
C) a dramatic demonstration
D) an unexpected exercise
E) a testimonial or quotation

Question 44

Which of the following is a purpose of a positioning statement?

A) to provide a recap of the key messages
B) to demonstrate value to the audience
C) to identify the key decision makers in your audience
D) to broaden the message enough to accommodate everyone's interests
E) to provide examples, illustrations, analogies, and quotations to support the main point

Question 45

You and your coworker Cho sit through a presentation that Cho laughingly describes as "death by PowerPoint." When you discuss the presentation afterward, you can think of only one thing the presenter did correctly. Which of the following characteristics of the presentation helped rather than hindered ease of processing?

A) using low-contrast backgrounds and colors
B) providing as much information as possible on every slide
C) using 10-point fonts for body text
D) eliminating most white space
E) using simple charts and diagrams

Question 46

Ellis gives a presentation to propose that his company, Ingenius Inc., eliminate its traditional departments and replace them with flexible teams that will allow employees to move from project to project as needed. He decides to use the PREP method of justifying this position. Which of the following is an example of the second step in the method?

A) He describes another company in their industry that has benefited from using the system he is urging Ingenius to adopt.
B) He cites two studies that analyze the positive effects that adopting the flexible team system has on productivity.
C) He closes by reiterating his position and summarizing the benefits he thinks Ingenius, Inc. will gain from adopting a flexible team system.
D) He explains that, with the current structure, employees in one department may be underutilized while other departments are overtaxed.
E) He opens by clearly stating that he favors a reorganization that eliminates departments in favor of flexible teams.

Question 47

What is one of the purposes of the preview in a presentation?

A) to provide examples, illustrations, analogies, and quotations to support the main point
B) to identify the key decision makers in your audience
C) to broaden the message enough to accommodate everyone's interests
D) to generate interest among the audience
E) to gain buy-in on specific actions

Question 48

Kyle's preview of his presentation has a statement that frames his message in appealing terms and a breakdown of the key takeaway messages for the audience. What is his preview missing?

A) an attention-getter
B) a positioning statement
C) a call to action
D) a list of benefits
E) a demonstration of value

Question 49

Which of the following components in a presentation is analogous to the introduction in written documents?

A) the preview
B) the call to action
C) the view
D) the review
E) the storyboard

Question 50

Which of the following is the last step of the PREP method of justifying your views in a presentation?

A) restating your position
B) providing reasons
C) giving an example
D) stating your position
E) providing evidence

Question 51

Which of the following is the first step of the PREP method of justifying your views in a presentation?

A) restating your position
B) providing reasons
C) giving an example
D) stating your position
E) providing evidence

Question 52

Jamal begins his presentation on supplemental insurance by telling a dramatic story about an employee who was able to keep his home because of having such insurance. What type of attention-getter is this?

A) a rhetorical question
B) a vivid example
C) a testimonial
D) an intriguing statistic
E) a challenge

Question 53

Khandi gives a presentation to advocate that her employer, Let-Us, Ltd., which offers services such as personal shopping and event planning to assist busy professionals, expand its offerings to include dog walking. Which of the following sentences is a call to action that Khandi might use at the end of her presentation?

A) Many people view their pets as substitute children who have equal status to other family members.
B) Studies show that most pet owners feel guilty for leaving the animals alone too long while they are at work.
C) For all these reasons, I propose we hire three dog walkers and begin offering this service by year's end.
D) Most dogs need 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day, but the average dog gets much less than that.
E) Did you know that the number of households with pets is increasing?

Question 54

Which of the following components in a presentation is analogous to the body portion of written documents?

A) the preview
B) the overview
C) the view
D) the review
E) the attention-getter

Question 55

Gina starts the preview of her presentation with an intriguing statistic and a statement that frames her message in appealing terms. What is her preview missing?

A) an attention-getter
B) a positioning statement
C) a call to action
D) a takeaway
E) an overview

Question 56

The view should be about ______ percent of the whole presentation.

A) 5 to 10
B) 10 to 15
C) 30 to 35
D) 45 to 50
E) 85 to 90

Question 57

Khandi gives a presentation to advocate that her employer, Let-Us Ltd., which offers services such as personal shopping and event planning to assist busy professionals, expand its offerings to include dog walking. She decides to use the PREP method of justifying this position. Which of the following is an example of the third step in the method?

A) She cites a personal services company in another city that increased its business by adding dog walking to its services.
B) She describes how busy professionals view their pets as family members, almost like children.
C) She reiterates her position that adding dog walking to the company's services would increase business.
D) She explains that many professionals feel guilty that their schedules do not allow them to give their pets enough attention.
E) She opens by clearly proposing that Let-Us, Ltd. add dog walking to its list of services for busy professionals.

Question 58

Your coworker LaRita has asked you to review her slide presentation. You notice that it is difficult to recognize and process the most important ideas and information. To help her fix this, what will you recommend that she change?

A) She should limit her text to five words per line and three to four lines per slide.
B) She should choose dark backgrounds and text colors.
C) She should include a compelling image every few slides.
D) She should use bold or italics to highlight key ideas.
E) She should make sure her charts are large and complex.

Question 59

Vicki begins her presentation on vacation policy by asking, "Have you ever been so busy that you couldn't take all your vacation time in a given year?" What type of attention-getter is this?

A) a rhetorical question
B) a vivid example
C) a dramatic demonstration
D) an unexpected exercise
E) a challenge

Question 60

You have created a presentation for work, and you ask a colleague to review it. Which of the following will your colleague tell you must be improved for ease of processing?

A) You have only four to six lines of text of every slide.
B) You used 14-point fonts for titles and 12-point fonts for body text.
C) You kept a margin of white space as a border on every slide.
D) You used bold to accent key ideas and italics to accent key terms.
E) You used light yellow for the background and black for the text.

Question 61

Briefly describe the PREP method for effective communication during presentations.

Question 62

What is a positioning statement? Explain its purpose.

Question 63

Describe the components of business stories.

Question 64

Briefly list everything that the preview of a presentation should contain and accomplish.

Question 65

Discuss how to conclude a presentation with an effective review.

Question 66

Pavel is using the story line approach in his presentation. He says that the coffee shop chain he works for faces the challenge of improving its customer service orientation and presents the goal of improving the customer satisfaction rating from 80 percent to more than 95 percent. What aspect of a business story does this represent?

A) the plot
B) the setting
C) the characters
D) the resolution
E) the moral or lesson

Question 67

Stories in presentations should typically last for

A) less than 20 seconds.
B) 30 seconds to one minute.
C) three to five minutes.
D) five to ten minutes.
E) fifteen to twenty minutes.

Question 68

Explain the process of identifying a few takeaway messages while planning presentations.

Question 69

Pavel is using the story line approach in his presentation. He says that the coffee shop chain he works for faces the challenge of improving its customer service orientation. After telling the story of a sandwich chain that trained its workers in a particular customer service approach, he says, "Within six months, their complaints dropped by half and their customer satisfaction increased by 18 percent." What aspect of a business story does that statement represent?

A) the plot
B) the setting
C) the characters
D) the resolution
E) the moral or lesson

Question 70

What are the questions you should consider as you analyze your audience before a presentation?

Question 71

Briefly describe how to present to people with the various motivational value systems.

Question 72

In the context of reviewing your presentation for fairness, which of the following questions pertains to the facts of your presentation?

A) Does the message offend or pressure in any way?
B) Have you fully disclosed information that colleagues, customers, or consumers should expect to receive?
C) Have you made recommendations to colleagues, customers, and consumers that are in their best interests?
D) Have you carefully considered various interpretations of your data?
E) Would a neutral observer consider your communication respectful?

Question 73

Pavel is using the story line approach in his presentation. He says that the coffee shop chain he works for faces the challenge of improving its customer service orientation. After describing a sandwich chain that is similar to his company in size and target market, he explains the specific approach to training that the sandwich chain implemented in order to improve customer service. What aspect of a business story does his explanation about the training program represent?

A) the plot
B) the setting
C) the characters
D) the resolution
E) the moral or lesson

Question 74

Explain the process of reviewing presentations for fairness and effectiveness.

Question 75

Which of the following is a guideline to follow while reviewing a presentation for effectiveness?

A) Make sure that your preview takes up the majority of your presentation time.
B) Put compelling pictures or simple charts on every slide.
C) Double-check every aspect of your supplementary materials.
D) Put all your information on the slides so you can just read them aloud.
E) Make sure that you start by telling the story of your company.

Question 76

Explain the various approaches that facilitate ease of processing while designing slides.