Verbal Communication

Overview

From quick conversations to phone calls, meetings, formal presentations, and sales pitches, you must employ effective verbal communication skills at all times. While verbal interactions are extremely common, they can also be stressful. Every interaction contains the potential for success…and the danger of failure. To be “on your game” at all times requires purposeful practice, reflection, and adjustment based on input and feedback. No matter what your verbal communication skills are, you can improve them.

In this assignment, you will develop and deliver a verbal communication for the scenario you have identified. Your communication should match your challenge or opportunity. For example, if your challenge is an interview for a new position, you may choose to record yourself answering a few key questions that might be posed by the interviewer.

For the purposes of this course, your video presentation should not exceed 5 minutes. (Your scenario might require a much longer presentation, but limit your response to the key 5 minutes in this case.)

Instructions

For Part 1, create and deliver a verbal communication that aligns with your strategic communications plan. Record your presentation for submission to your instructor.

For Part 2, reflect on your presentation, and document your preparation and how you used feedback to refine your verbal communication.

Part 1 – Verbal Communication (Video)

1. Develop and deliver your verbal communication.
   1. Use an impactful opening statement to engage, set context, and/or create relevant meaning for the audience.
   2. Use compelling stories, statistics, or facts to support your key message.
   3. Where appropriate, make your request of the audience clear and actionable.
   4. Use visual aids (where necessary) that support and complement your verbal communication, but do not drive the conversation.
   5. Limit recordings to no more than 5 minutes.
2. Demonstrate professional presence.
   1. Be authentic and genuine in your delivery.
   2. Use the appropriate tone and vocabulary for your audience.
   3. Use body language and eye contact effectively.
   4. Speak concisely with clarity and confidence.
   5. Build rapport and connect with your audience to grow the relationship.
   6. Dress appropriately and employ an appropriate camera frame (with a neutral background that is free of distractions).
   7. Employ only professionally presented and appropriately prepared visual aids, if used.

Part 2 – Reflection and Feedback (Written)

1. Reflect on your presentation preparation.
   1. Describe the approach you took to plan for your presentation.
   2. Explain how you rehearsed for the presentation.
   3. Offer suggestions for how you might better prepare in the future.
2. Use feedback to refine your communication.
   1. Describe or list the feedback you received on your verbal communication from the Week 9 discussion.
   2. Explain how you used the feedback to revise and improve your message and/or delivery.

This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:

• Create a professional verbal presentation that is refined by reflection and feedback