Topic 4: Teaching Communication Arts Presentations

Communication Arts
In an ever-changing technological society, students examine the art of human communication.
During his or her undergraduate career, it is one of the most useful courses a student can take. Not only
does it concentrate on the abilities involved in the collection, study, organization and writing of persuasive
messages, it teaches students the abilities they need to successfully present their ideas in public.
Students learn to communicate their ideas effectively using verbal, written, and visual methods in a
small, welcoming classroom setting. They also gain essential listening abilities, and an important part is
assessment of student speeches.

Communication Arts Categories

1. Demonstration: Demonstrations are presentations that reflect skills and procedures on all topics.
They show “how to do something,” “how to make something” or “how something works” and may
display a finished product. Watch the Youtube video titled Wrapping a present demonstration
speech at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn-bcBLFX0U

2. Illustrated Talk: Illustrated talks are speeches using visual aids. They are presentations in which
charts, posters, figures or real objects are used to explain an idea or procedure. Example of
Illustrative talk is found on Youtube video Illustrative examples the propaganda movement at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRwFl2wAPzI

Difference between Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks?

In a demonstration, the presenter shows “how something works” or “how to do
something” by using objects and explaining the steps. In an illustrated talk, the presenter
explains “how something works” or “how to do something,” but does not actually show the
working object or demonstrate the process; instead they use visual aids to complement their
talk.

3. Prepared Speech: Prepared speeches include the presentation of speeches that are composed by
the presenter. Notes may be used for reference.

4. Interpretive Reading – Humorous or Serious: Interpretive readings are oral presentations of

works taken from any published source. The presenter should be familiar with the piece and it is
presented by being read. The presentation begins with a brief introduction with the source, the
author, and may also explain the reason for the selection.

5. Dramatic Presentation: Oral dramatic presentations are based on an original or a published piece
performed by combining words and actions to either entertain or educate the audience. This begins
 with a brief introduction, including the source, the author of the material, and perhaps an
explanation of why it was selected.

Difference between Interpretive Reading (Humorous or Serious) and Dramatic

Presentations?
In interpretive readings, contestants use vocal and facial expressions to
communicate the author’s thoughts expressively. Visual aids, tapes or costumes are not
permitted. In dramatic presentations, full body movements, costumes, makeup and/or props
are used to perform pieces in a creative, thought provoking manner.

6. Commercials: Commercials are presentations to convince an audience to buy an idea or product.

Commercials need to include an introduction, a body and a closing statement. Commercials are
intended to demonstrate the ability to sell an item/project/idea. The end result should sway the
audience to want more of the item/project/idea.

7. Short Take: Short takes are presentations given from a topic drawn by the participants when they
enter the room without advanced preparation. After participants receive their topic, they are given
10 minutes to prepare. Presentations need to be organized to include an introduction, body, and a
summary.

8. Broadcasting: Presenters prepare a radio or television broadcast that may be read from a script.
The broadcast may have four to five items of about 30-45 seconds each or a more in-depth story
addressing a topic.

9. Video Production: Youth shoot footage, edit and produce a three- to five-minute video, present
their final product to the judges and present information on the production, including when, how and
why their video was created.

10. Web Site Design: Contestants create a website on a topic of their choice and are judged on
content, appearance, design, technical performance and the presentation of their website.
Participants talk about what they learned, why they decided to use the chosen topic, and show their
website.
11. Blogging. The word “blog,” a contraction of “web log,” is an informational web page that consists of
discrete units called “posts.” The term “log” comes from the history of nautical navigation and
originally referred to a record of chronological events kept by a ship’s crew. Like a ship’s log, blogs
on the web tend to maintain an ordered chronology, although they often unfold in reverse order.
Blog posts are often shorter and less formal than other types of writing. Blogs can be personal,
artistic, academic, or professional. It is a unique form of online publishing that creates opportunities
for producing knowledge, sharing research, building social networks, developing professionally, or
documenting personal growth.
 Composing a post. You want your blog to invite readers in and keep them coming
back for updates. Great blogs are vibrant and visually interesting, but they are also
thoughtful and purposeful. Every post matters for generating and holding attention. Consider
the following principles when composing:
- Make a point. While posts do not require a formal thesis or claim, it is important
to have an argument, opinion, or purpose in mind when you compose.
- Be concise. Use precise language and coherent syntax to make your posts easy
to read.
- Post often. Blogs should be updated regularly to hold readers’ interest. Actively
generate new and interesting content on a daily or weekly schedule.
- Consider inviting guest bloggers to appeal to diverse readers, broaden your
blog’s scope, or refresh your own perspective on the project.
- Proofread. Careless mistakes and errors can distract readers and make you
appear less credible as a writer.
- Create visual interest. Consider which aspects of your content would pair well
with visual elements such as photographs, figures, or videos. Break up large
chunks of text with visual elements to make your blog more readable.

Using Multimedia Audio and visual interest helps grab a reader’s attention. Blogs
give writers the opportunity to use design, images, audio, and video to supplement their
writing. Take advantage of these innovative ways to enhance your presentation! Here are
some guidelines to have in mind when you choose your blog’s multimedia elements:
- Use appropriate content, size, and quality. Make sure your chosen images
complement the layout of your text visually. Images should be easy to see
without obstructing the text of a post. Choose the highest possible quality image
while also making sure it is easy to load. You don’t want your readers squinting at
blurry pixels, but you won’t want them to wait 10 seconds for something to load,
either.
- When linking to an online video, consider using a screen shot from that
video as your hyperlink. A screen shot can make a reader more likely to click
on a link. It can provide a visual preview, as well as demonstrate the clip’s
relevance to your post.
- Attribute your sources. Like ideas, images and videos are someone else’s
intellectual property. Whenever possible, provide captions for the reader.

References

Communication arts. (2011). https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/casscountyextension/4h/pdfs-picture-shows/Comm

%20Arts.pdf

Department of Communication Arts (n.d.). Composition Arts 100: Introduction to speech composition.
https://commarts.wisc.edu/courses/ca100/
Writer, S. (2020, March 25). What is communication Arts?. https://www.reference.com/world-
view/communication-arts-9b25b1b27a1f87a3