Presentation SkillsPresentation SkillsPresentation SkillsPresentation Skills

Speak Smart, Stand Smart, Speak Smart, Stand Smart,

Be SmartBe Smart

First of all, address your audience with

• Good morning/good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen

Introduce yourself

• I’m …, a first-year student from…

• My name is …/I’m… and I’d like to introduce my fellow presenters: X, Y and Z.

Introduce your topic

• Today, We’d like to talk to you about…

• I would like to begin by giving you a brief background to…

Attention-grabbing technique (1)

• Asking audience’s experience

• e.g. “How many of you…?”“Did you know that…?”

Attention-grabbing technique (2)

• Telling a short anecdote that illustrates the topic

Attention-grabbing technique (3)

• Benefits of listening• e.g. “This presentation will show

you how you can…”

Using your outline• I will cover the following sections

in our presentation:…• In our presentation today, we will

discuss…• Our presentation will be divided

into… parts:…

Using your outline (con’t)

• X will talk about… And Y will tell you about…

• There are three main areas. Firstly…, secondly…and finally…

Which do you prefer? And why?

• Video 1• Video 2

An example of a good introduction

Main body

• Explaining the brief points given in your introductory outline;

• Justifying any claims made in your introduction;

Main body (con’t)

• Adding examples to clarify points;

• Providing evidence to support your statements.

Useful Expressions

• Let’s begin with…• First of all, let’s look at…• Now I’d like to tell you about…• Now I ‘ll move on to..

Useful Expressions (con’t)

• That was… Now let’s look at…• Let’s turn to…• Let’s move on to…• Moving on to…

Useful Expressions (con’t)

• I’ll leave that for the time being and move on to…

• So much then for… Now let’s consider…• So there I’ve explained…• Finally, I’d like to examine / discuss /

consider / explain

Conclusions

• Let me remind you of the main points once again

• I’ll just go over the main points briefly

• Let me sum up by saying…

Conclusions (con’t)

• In conclusion then…• To sum up…• If you would like to ask me any

questions, I’ll be happy to answer them

PROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS NEVER SAY

‘THAT’S THE END OF MY PRESENTATION!’

‘THAT’S ALL FOR MY PRESENTATION!’

Which do you prefer?

• Video 1• Video 2• Video 3

Which do you prefer? (con’t)

• Do these points related to the introduction?

• What else has been included?

Handling questions

• Listen to Susan Leung’s advice on question-and-answer sessions

Language of clarification

• I’m sorry, could you say that again?

• Could you repeat the question please?

• I’m afraid I didn’t quite catch that

Language of clarification (con’t)

• Am I correct in thinking that…?• Do you mean…?• Are you saying that…?• Does this mean that…?

If you really don’t know the answer to a question, you could

• Thank you for your question. I’m not exactly sure about that. I’ll try and find out and let you know.

Visual Aids

• Overhead transparencies• PowerPoint Slides • video

Transparencies & Slides

• No more than 20 words per slide• Use large plain fonts (min. 20

points)• Bullet points only – not sentences

Transparencies & Slides (con’t)

• no spelling mistakes • Use colours sparingly ( but more

than 3 can make visuals too busy)• Use charts and graphs to illustrate

trends

Transparencies & Slides (con’t)

• Charts and graphs should be enlarged

• Highlight any numbers or columns that you want the audience to focus on

Which one is not so good as the others?

• PowerPoint 1• PowerPoint 2• PowerPoint 3• PowerPoint 4

Delivery• Voice• Stress and intonation• Pronunciation• Body languages

Voice• Not too loud nor too soft• Your voice should be clear• Your pace neither fast nor too slow• Using microphone if necessary

Scope of Body languages

• The way you stand• The way you look at the audience• The way you use your hands• The use of pauses to emphasize a

point

Positive Body Languages

• Eye contact• Stand up straight – head up, look

at the audience• Relaxed and positive attitude• Use appropriate gestures, e.g.

counting points on fingers

Negative Body Languages

• Hands in pocket• Shuffling feet• Nervous, distracting gestures• Swaying to and fro

Tips for increasing eye contact

• Be familiar with what you are going to say

• Don’t memorize the whole speech

(Introduction + Conclusion)

Reasons for Rehearsal• Timing• Logical sequence• Familiarity with content• Coordinating talk with visual aids

Tips for Rehearsal• Might rehearse at home in front of

a mirror• Be familiar with the content of

your talk• Practise out loud, not in your head• Might ask a friend to listen to your

talk

Tips for increasing eye contact(Con’t)

• Don’t turn your back to the audience to look at or read from the screen

• Write the ideas in note form (NOT full sentences) on small cards

Examples of good presentation

• Example 1 – Susan• Example 2 – Simpson• Example 3 - Maggie

When doing presentation, please

remember to

• Appear confident• Look at the audience• Vary the pace, stress and

intonation of your voice• Use pauses for emphasis

When doing presentation, please

remember to

• Use appropriate gestures• Explain technical terms• Have clear visual aids• Dress up appropriately

Thank you