Lothery & Associates

Communication Quiz

  1. When I make a presentation my preparation includes:
    • Nothing. I'm at my best when I wing it!
    • Understanding my audience, pick three main messages, outline, build slides, practice.
    • Sketch key points, make slides and what I'm going to say, and get a good night's sleep.
    • I think about what I'm going to say as I make my slides.
  2. When preparing my notes, talking points, or speech, I:
    • Make appropriate notes to reflect the mood or pace of the different sections.
    • Write down whatever comes to mind and go with that.
    • Amateurs use notes!
    • Throw something on a napkin at the last minute, and it goes ok.
  3. The night before a presentation I:
    • Practice, review my handouts and/or slides, do visualization, and get plenty of sleep.
    • Can't sleep.
    • I put my slides together, develop outline/ talking points. Everything will be fine. I know my job.
    • Obsessively practice or review everything I'm going to say so I don't make a mistake.
  4. On presentation day I:
    • Want to throw up.
    • Have a little anxiety, but once I go through my material I feel much better.
    • Have a good breakfast, practice, run through slides, visualize how the presentation is going to go.
    • Put my slides together, make an outline, and think about what I'm going to say.
  5. Right before my presentation begins I feel like:
    • Dancing! When can I start?
    • Running away!
    • I just need to get through it.
    • I'll be ok, I've prepared.
  6. My speech anxiety is typically:
    • Off the charts: cotton mouth, shakes, uncontrollable sweating.
    • What anxiety? Someone show me the spotlight!
    • A little noticeable to others, but it usually passes in the first three or four minutes.
    • Noticeable to me, but three deep breaths and I'm home free!
  7. When I present most would describe me as:
    • Polished, poised and perfect!
    • A bumbling, boring, buffoon.
    • Interesting but short on organization and clear messages.
    • Packed with information and professionalism, but a cure to insomnia.
  8. My vocal quality in a presentation is:
    • Melodic
    • Monotone
    • Mesmerizing
    • Maddening
  9. My body language in a presentation typically:
    • Has a mind of its own
    • Fully choreographed
    • "Au natural"
    • Nothing noteworthy to mention
  10. When I speak I use the fillers "like", "um" and "you know":
    • Never. That's teen talk.
    • Only when I'm like transitioning to my next thought.
    • Like um, a lot, but that's um natural.
    • Probably more than I think I do.
  11. When I speak to an audience I:
    • Know what they want to hear, and include it in my message.
    • Never think about what they want to hear, I have a message to say.
    • Hope they understand my point, but I can't tell if they do.
    • Know I've prepared well, and am confident we're connecting.
  12. Whenever I use slides or PowerPoint:
    • I put enough text up so I don't forget what I'm going to say.
    • I never use slides/PowerPoint.
    • I always have pictures, graphs, text, charts, anything to keep the audience engaged.
    • I tend to read what's up there. It's not sexy, but it works.
  13. My audience participation level is:
    • Non-existent. They came to hear me speak.
    • A partnership. I've built in opportunities for them to get involved.
    • Never thought about it. They show up and ask questions.
    • A dull roar. They respond when spoken to.
  14. I've been complimented on my presentation skills and talent:
    • Only by my parents. Gotta love Mom!
    • Once, when I did that thing…
    • Almost every time I give a presentation.
    • Once in a while, nobody's great all of the time.
  15. When my audience leaves my presentation they feel like:
    • In need of a good stretch.
    • Coming to talk to me about it more.
    • They got some good information.
    • Their time was well spent and value was added.