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There are many types of examples that a presenter can use to help an audience better understand a topic and the key points of a presentation.
These include specific situations, problems, or stories intended to help communicate a more general idea. There are three main types of examples:
Brief examples are used to further illustrate a point that may not be immediately obvious to all audience members but is not so complex that it requires a lengthier example.
Brief examples can be used by the presenter as an aside or on their own.
IN CONTEXT
A presenter may use a brief example in a presentation on politics in explaining the Electoral College. Since many people are familiar with how the Electoral College works, the presenter may just mention that the Electoral College is based on population and a brief example of how it is used to determine an election. In this situation, it would not be necessary for a presenter to go into a lengthy explanation of the process of the Electoral College since many people are familiar with the process.
Extended examples are used when a presenter is discussing a more complicated topic that they think their audience may be unfamiliar with. In an extended example, a speaker may want to use a chart, graph, or other visual aid to help the audience understand the example.
IN CONTEXT
An instance in which an extended example could be used includes a presentation in which a speaker is explaining how the "time value of money" principle works in finance. Since this is a concept that people unfamiliar with finance may not immediately understand, a speaker will want to use an equation and other visual aids to help the audience understand this principle.
An extended example will likely take more time to explain than a brief example and will be about a more complex topic.
A hypothetical example is a fictional example that can be used when a speaker is explaining a complicated topic that makes the most sense when it is put into more realistic or relatable terms. A hypothetical example helps the audience to better visualize a topic and relate to the point of the presentation more effectively.
IN CONTEXT
For instance, if a presenter is discussing statistical probability, instead of explaining probability in terms of equations, it may make more sense for the presenter to make up a hypothetical example. This could be a story about a girl, Annie, picking ten pieces of candy from a bag of 50 pieces of candy in which half are blue and half are red, and then determining Annie's probability of pulling out ten total pieces of red candy.
Examples are essential to a presentation that is backed up with evidence, and they help the audience effectively understand the message being presented.
An example is a specific situation, problem, or story intended to help communicate a more general idea. Examples are most effective when they are used as a complement to a key point in the presentation and focus on the important topics of the presentation.
One method of effectively communicating examples is by using an example to clarify and complement the main point of a presentation.
EXAMPLE
If an orator is holding a seminar about how to encourage productivity in the workplace, he or she might use an example that focuses on an employee receiving an incentive (such as a bonus) to work harder, and this improves the employee's productivity. An example like this would act as a complement and help the audience better understand how to use incentives to improve performance in the workplace.Examples are essential to help an audience better understand a topic. However, a speaker should be careful not to overuse examples, as too many examples may confuse the audience and distract them from focusing on the key points that the speaker is making.
Examples should also be concise and not drawn out, so the speaker does not lose the audience's attention. Concise examples should greatly impact audience engagement and understanding in a short amount of time.
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