Presentations in English

Tips for a successful presentation

Keep to the time limit. Your instructor/listeners wont cut you off, but they will get very (quietly) impatient. Culturally, usually when a time limit is given, the giver really means it. Dont memorize your presentation word-for-word. it will sound bad. Dont read your presentation from a piece of paper, either. Dont read your PowerPoint slides. PowerPoint slides should be used to put just a few words showing the main points, or a relevant chart, picture, etc. Smile. Its ok to smile. Youll still look serious. Dont go too fast. I have heard many ESL presentations over the years, and almost everyone goes too fast. Your listener should know what is coming next before you say it. Remember the sandwich principle! Especially when stating main points, use a focus word to guide the listeners attention.

Example Presentation: How to care for a baby

[NOTE: We have used an imaginary topic with very simple vocabulary so we can focus on the arrangement of the content, not the meaning]

1) Select the topic of your presentation. 2) Choose the central idea, or thesis, of your essay. For example: Babies need to be fed, held, and loved. 3) Outline your presentation to include the introduction, body with main point, and conclusion. a) Optionally/depending on the circumstances: Begin the presentation by telling who you are, and why you are qualified to speak on the topic at hand. For example: My name is _____, and I have two children and they both have survived so far. Today I am going to speak about how to care for your baby. b) The introduction often continues with an interesting example, illustration, or question. For example: Most of you will become parents someday. But do you know how to take care of a baby? c) After this introduction, add your thesis statement from above. You may add a goal statement, or some more brief information about the order of what is to follow.

Babies need to be fed, held, and loved, and today I will teach you how.

4) You will then have 2-3 sections, where you will elaborate on each of the 2-4 points previously presented. a) First of all, babies need to be fed[additional info on this topic] b) Secondly, babies need to be held. I will give you some tips on how to do this and keep baby happy[additional info on this topic] c) Finally babies to need to be loved. Research has shown that babies may fail to thrive, that is, not grow properly, or even die, if they are not given affection and attention . [additional info on this topic] 5) The conclusion briefly restates your main points. a) Begin the conclusion by quickly restating the principal ideas of your presentation. Today I have showed you how to care for a baby . A baby will need to be fed, held, and loved, and I have given you tips and advice on doing all those things. b) Your final statement can be a future prediction based on what you have shown in the presentation. For example: When and if you become parents, youll need to perfect these skills in order for your baby to thrive.

Summary
So what we might get something like:

INTRODUCTION

My name is _____, and I have two children and they both have survived so far. Today I am going to speak about how to care for your baby. Most of you will become parents someday. But do you know how to take care of a baby? Babies need to be fed, held, and loved, and today I will teach you how.

POINT #1

First of all, babies need to be fed Secondly, babies need to be held. I will give you some tips on how to do this and keep baby happy Finally babies to need to be loved. Research has shown that babies may fail to thrive, that is, not grow properly, or even die, if they are not given affection and attention . Today I have showed you how to care for a baby . A baby will need to be fed, held, and loved, and I have given you tips and advice on doing all those things.

POINT #2

1) Interesting introductory statement grabs readers attention + 2) Main point contained in thesis. + 3) first body paragraph will explain how internet conferencing and telephony services replace what used to need to be in an office, 4) second body paragraph will explain how Google (and other search engines) have made physical sources of knowledge less important. 5) Goal or further opinion stated here. Restate the first main point and give some more details/information about it. Restate the second main point and give some more details/information about it. Restate the third main point and give some more details/information about it.

POINT #3

CONCLUSION

Restate your thesis. You may then give a prediction or a suggestion.

Does this look just like the outline for an essay? Its very similar. Both operate on the sandwich principle: Say what you are going to say, say it again with more details, and then say what you said.