In addition to understanding your task thoroughly, you need to carefully assess the knowledge, expectations, and values your audience brings to the presentation. It is only when the audience's needs are genuinely acknowledged by the speaker that effective communication can take place.

Determine the nature of the background information that the audience brings to your subject by listing key terms and concepts that you can reasonably assume they understand.

Itemize what the audience needs to learn from you about the specific topic and focus upon these items as controlling concepts for your presentation.

Identify the significant values that the audience brings to the presentation. Answer these questions:

• What are the notable characteristics of this audience? Curious? Inhibited? Cautious? Eager? Expert? Novice?
• Does this audience respect a formal or informal style?
• Does this audience value simplicity or complexity?
• Would this audience respond more favorably to traditional or innovative approaches?
• Is this audience participating voluntarily or by external request?

All your plans need to be developed with consideration of the time and space constraints.

The next step is to Structure your information.