1. Explain how to define the purpose of a presentation.

It is important to remember that different types of presentations work for different goals. Be sure to know the purpose of your speech in relation to the situation of the presentation.

2. Summarize the characteristics of different types of presentation.

Selecting the right type of presentation is key to being successful. Understand the differences between epideictic, informative, and persuasive presentations

3. Describe the ways to choose a topic that is suitable for the type of presentation.

Choosing your topic is one of the most important tasks of the process. Use your resources to find the right topic. Be sure to pay attention to the needs of the audience, the occasion, and yourself when choosing the topic, whether it is in a face-to-face setting or a computer-mediated setting

4. Explain how to conduct an audience analysis to achieve the most impact.

Spend time working on audience analysis and know how to conduct one. Many beginning students will skip or not spend enough time on this step. A good audience analysis will help you alter your approach to achieve the most impact.

5. Create the basic structure of a presentation. 

The basic structure of your presentation is important to help your audience remember the message you are trying to convey. In later chapters, we explore the structure of a speech in greater detail.