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Elena Orduna
Oral Presentations 1
GIVING PRESENTATIONS
PART ONE: WARM- UP QUESTIONS
These are some typical key phrases speakers use when giving a
presentation. Can you correct them?
Ok, For begin, let we look for the most basic issue.
Of course, related with that, …
I’m disagree with your point.
That’s all I’m having time for on this issue. Let’s moving on to
our second point.
As you can be seeing in this slide, there are two key features
in relative to…
Time is moved on, so let’s turn up to our main point
1.1. Objectives
Why are you giving this talk?
Who will you be talking to? How much do they know about the
subject already?
What effect do you want your presentation to have?
Prof. Elena Orduna
Oral Presentations 2
1.2. Limitations
How long have you got? Do you have to follow a certain format?
Where will you be giving your presentation?
Can you change the room around to suit your preferences?
1.5. Beginning
Briefly introduce yourself
Check that they can all see and hear you and let know if you are
going to take questions as you proceed or invite discussion at the
end.
You may want to give an outline of the structure of the talk to guide
the audience.
You'll need to gain the audience's attention, so think carefully how
you will introduce your topic-for example, you could start with an
anecdote, a question , a contradictory statement..
1.6. Middle
Prepare your talk so you lead the audience through your main points in
a logical and interesting way. It helps if you plan for variety in the
ways you present your case. When appropriate, you could plan to use:
examples, anecdotes and case histories
charts and graphs
handouts (will you issue them at the start? in the middle? at the
end?)
slides and video clips
Realia and artefacts which people can pass round.
1.7. End
Summarise what you have said: ‘In this talk we have discussed...' and
make your personal conclusions: ‘It is clear that...' Plan to leave the
audience a parting shot to stimulate their thoughts.
When you have written your presentation, look it over carefully, from
the viewpoint of your intended audience.
Does it meet the objectives?
Is the structure as logical as it can be?
Is the content right for the audience?
Is it appropriate on time and length?
Then revise the presentation.
1.9. Visuals
Prepare your visuals (PowerPoint slides, Overhead Projector foils, etc).
Make sure they are clear, and that any text is big enough (24 points or
larger).
1.10. Language (we will devote a section to this)
2.2 Visuals
Are your visuals effective? Practise using your visuals:
talking to the audience, not to the screen
combining giving your talk with changing the slides.
2.3 Script
Unless you are good at reading stories aloud, it is best not to read from
a script - it can sound very 'wooden' and the fact that you are reading
distances you from your audience. A far better solution is to write key
words, phrases and facts on index cards. Make sure that the writing is
large enough to read at a glance and take care to keep the cards in
sequence.
2.4 Space
Arrive in good time. Spend a few minutes getting familiar with the room
and any audio-visual equipment you'll be using.
2.5 Breathing
When people are nervous, they tend to take quick shallow breaths,
which makes their voice sound weak. This makes them feel even more
nervous. How to overcome this and feel more relaxed?:
1. Breathe in slowly and deeply, concentrating on filling your tummy
with air with each breath
2. Breathe out slowly, getting rid of as much air as you can. Repeat five
times.
3.3. Voice
Speak slowly and clearly
Speak loudly enough so everyone can hear
Remember to breathe slowly and deeply
3.4. Move
You are allowed to move as you give your presentation, but avoid pacing up
and down or fiddling with your hands, spectacles or pen. Keep your hands
out of your pockets and away from your face. It can help add variety and
interest to come to the front of the podium to deliver a telling point. Try to
avoid hiding behind the lectern.
2.- Signposting
When you drive on the roads, you know where you are because there are
signals. When you give a presentation, how can your audience know where
they are? How can they know the structure of your presentation? How can
they know what is coming next? They know because you tell them by
putting up signposts for them, at the beginning and all along the route.
This technique is called 'signposting' (or 'signalling').
During your introduction, you should tell your audience what the structure
of your presentation will be. You might say something like this:
4. 1. INTRODUCTION
The introduction is a very important - perhaps the most important -
part of your presentation. This is the first impression that the audience will
have of you. You should concentrate on getting your introduction right.
The following table shows the main parts or functions of a good
introduction and five examples of language for each of these functions.
at...
Finally, let me remind you of some of the
issues we've covered...
If I can just sum up the main points...
Ordering Firstly...secondly...thirdly...lastly...
First of all...then...next...after
that...finally...
To start with...later...to finish up...
4. 3.- CONCLUSION
The following table shows the main functions of a good conclusion and
gives examples of language for each of these functions. You may need to
modify the language as appropriate.
1 Summing up To conclude,...
In conclusion,...
Now, to sum up...
So let me summarise/recap what I've said.
Finally, may I remind you of some of the main
points we've considered.
4. QUESTIONS
Questions are a good opportunity for you to interact with your
audience. It may be helpful for you to try to predict what questions will be
asked so that you can prepare your response in advance. You may wish to
accept questions at any time during your presentation, or to keep a time for
questions after your presentation. Normally, it's your decision, and you
should make it clear during the introduction. Be polite with all questioners,
even if they ask difficult questions. They are showing interest in what you
have to say and they deserve attention. Sometimes you can reformulate a
question. Or answer the question with another question. Or even ask for
comment from the rest of the audience.
Prof. Elena Orduna
Oral Presentations 8