Thursday, February 23, 2006
Mid-term assignment: A road map to your presentation
Mid-term is approaching and it's time to concern ourselves with a road map to presentation success. The Mid-term isn't "busy work" by far and I hope you all don't see it that way. In every professional setting, there is time set for planning and budgeting. A team is formed, sometimes called a committee, and a course is mapped out before time and money is invested in a presentation.
Now is the time for planning and thinking this out.
Format for mid-term
This isn't a term paper or research paper, but I still expect a format fitting for a 400-level course. The assignment should be typed, single or double - you decide, include your name and identification and be separated into sections which will be laid out below.
As communication majors, I expect a higher level of attention to spelling, grammar and use of good thought processes. This should not be a casual conversation, but you can write in first-person if you choose.
Sections to be covered
Introduction of subject -- give me history and details on the organization, business or person that is the focus of your presentation. When it started, where it's located, who makes up the organization, how many members, a organizational flow of command, purpose, previous activities -- don't leave any thing left to the imagination. Give me a contact name and method of contact for your subject.
Describe PR needs -- tell me why this subject needs public relations and how the areas of the organization will benefit from good public relations. If the subject has used PR tools before, please explain what has been done and the outcome.
PR tool being used -- what vehicle will you use to deliver your PR message. Give specifics -- 5-page Web site for the organization, a series of radio PSAs about the new technology, a newsletter for company employees, an email newsletter to send to potential clients, etc. Give as much detail on the presentation as you can.
Form the team -- if you plan to use a team to create the presentation, please list team members and their part in the presentation.
Message -- what are you trying to say/show about the subject.
Cost considerations -- this will be two -fold. You need to give expected cost for a business using the presentation in mass and the ACTUAL costs that you will have to just complete something for the course. Use resources on the Internet and local businesses to give me close estimates of what this presentation would cost if used by a professional PR firm.
Delivery method of presentation -- briefly tell me how you plan to give me your presentation -- by CD, video tape, URL (Web address), printed piece, etc.
After I'm certain that we are on the right path, we will continue to discuss more message delivery methods after mid-term. We will look at the use of Web pages, brochures/fliers/posters and broadcast presentations.
Now is the time for planning and thinking this out.
Format for mid-term
This isn't a term paper or research paper, but I still expect a format fitting for a 400-level course. The assignment should be typed, single or double - you decide, include your name and identification and be separated into sections which will be laid out below.
As communication majors, I expect a higher level of attention to spelling, grammar and use of good thought processes. This should not be a casual conversation, but you can write in first-person if you choose.
Sections to be covered
Introduction of subject -- give me history and details on the organization, business or person that is the focus of your presentation. When it started, where it's located, who makes up the organization, how many members, a organizational flow of command, purpose, previous activities -- don't leave any thing left to the imagination. Give me a contact name and method of contact for your subject.
Describe PR needs -- tell me why this subject needs public relations and how the areas of the organization will benefit from good public relations. If the subject has used PR tools before, please explain what has been done and the outcome.
PR tool being used -- what vehicle will you use to deliver your PR message. Give specifics -- 5-page Web site for the organization, a series of radio PSAs about the new technology, a newsletter for company employees, an email newsletter to send to potential clients, etc. Give as much detail on the presentation as you can.
Form the team -- if you plan to use a team to create the presentation, please list team members and their part in the presentation.
Message -- what are you trying to say/show about the subject.
Cost considerations -- this will be two -fold. You need to give expected cost for a business using the presentation in mass and the ACTUAL costs that you will have to just complete something for the course. Use resources on the Internet and local businesses to give me close estimates of what this presentation would cost if used by a professional PR firm.
Delivery method of presentation -- briefly tell me how you plan to give me your presentation -- by CD, video tape, URL (Web address), printed piece, etc.
After I'm certain that we are on the right path, we will continue to discuss more message delivery methods after mid-term. We will look at the use of Web pages, brochures/fliers/posters and broadcast presentations.
