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.

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.
POINT #1 First of all, babies need to be
fed
Restate the first main point and
give some more
details/information about it.
POINT #2 Secondly, babies need to be
held. I will give you some tips
on how to do this and keep baby
happy
Restate the second main point
and give some more
details/information about it.
POINT #3 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 .
Restate the third main point and
give some more
details/information about it.
CONCLUSION 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.
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.