Team Presentation Theory: The Five Formats

Wednesday, Aug 21, 2024 • Jeremiah Valentine : jeremiah.valentine@uta.edu

Team Presentations are routinely used in academia. However, there is a significant lack of published research outlining a framework for team presentation strategies and techniques that can be applied to students, faculty and business professionals. 

 

Dr. Daniel Usera, Clinical Marketing Professor, walks readers through the dynamic task of presenting as a team with different examples. While comparing and contrasting different styles that are well explained and easy to understand. The article instructs and informs readers about transitions styles and presentation styles. 

 

Initially, he highlights the speech writing five-point outline. Typically starting with an introduction, three main points, and a conclusion. After highlighting topics, he explains various speaker's roles. The opener who delivers the introduction, each following speaker presents a main point, and a closer who finishes with the conclusion. 

 

Each group member should access and lean into their strengths during the presentation to complete the experience. Usera mentions in the article that speaker roles should depend on talent, subject matter experience, and the size of the team. To facilitate a team’s transitional periods between speakers, Usera spotlights four different options which are Hosted, Un-hosted, Overhand, and Topical transitions. 

 

Two students pitch during a group pitching event on Dec. 13, 2022.

Two students pitch during a group pitching event on Dec. 13, 2022.

 

Transitions

 

  • Hosted Transitions

  • A host conducts the handoff between two team members

  • Un-hosted Transitions

  • Transitioning speakers conduct their hand-off without a host

  • Overhand Transitions

  • Preceding speaker says the transitions statement before handing off the microphone or microphone

  • Topical Transitions

  • The next point is set up without a hand-off

 

The article focuses on presentation styles and how teams interact internally during a presentation. Usera presents 5 different presentation options including Hosted, Relay, Hybrid, Popcorn, and Duo. Each format can utilize the same material while presenting a different way. 

 

Team Presentation Formats

 

  • Hosted Format

  • Relies on one speaker to open and end the presentation and conduct transitions between main point speakers (uses hosted transitions)

  • Relay Format

  • Spreads speaking responsibilities equally between all group members

  • Three Advantages: most common and natural format that audiences might expect speakers to use; one speaker is not emphasized over the rest; un-hosted transition style can be quicker than hosted ones

  • Hybrid Format

  • Uses the same speaker to open and close while executing un-hosted transitions

  • Benefits of Hybrid method

  • Opener/closer engage the audiences with their strong speaking skills establishing a connection and credibility

  • Reengaging with the audience can create a memorable ending

  • Popcorn Format

  • Creates a more conversational and casual presentation

  • All speakers can participate in the introduction, main points, and conclusion

  • No distinct speak roles; can be completely improvised 

  • Duo Format

  • For teams of two; both speakers conduct the introduction, main points and the conclusion

  • The duo format allows group members to take turns speaking throughout the presentation, moving through topics rather than speakers

  • Risks Associated 

  • Requires additional coordination or rehearsal

  • Can be imbalanced towards one team member over the other

 

The presentation styles can be used dynamically, allowing a team to keep the audience engaged with different topics, multiple speakers and keeping a constant pace throughout the presentation. Usera mentions, “An essential strategic decision that all teams must make is how they deploy their speaking talent. The five team presentation formats offer different approaches and trade-offs to this question.” Talent and strengths should be considered as a team chooses a format to work with. 

 

Dr. Usera, Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing at The University of Texas at Arlington, published this article titled “Team Presentation Theory I: The Five Formats” in the Business and Professional Communication Quarterly academic journal in January 2024.

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