Public Speaking in English ( 1 )
A presentation is a formal talk to one or more people that "presents" ideas or information in a clear, structured way. People are sometimes afraid of speaking in public, but if we follow a few simple rules, giving a presentation is actually very easy. This guides us through each stage of giving a presentation in English, from the initial preparation to the conclusion and questions and answers. This guidance is itself set out like a mini-presentation. We can follow it logically by starting at the introduction and then developing it to the end.
1. Focus on Content
Think very deeply about the message we want to send to our audience. When we are preparing, MOST of our time should be spent on crafting this message. Even if our speaking style is awkward, we will be successful if the message is right.
Think very deeply about the message we want to send to our audience. When we are preparing, MOST of our time should be spent on crafting this message. Even if our speaking style is awkward, we will be successful if the message is right.
2. Have Strong Openings and Conclusions
An interesting opening using a question, statistic or interesting quote will make the audience wonder what is next. A strong conclusion will ensure our audience remembers our message!
An interesting opening using a question, statistic or interesting quote will make the audience wonder what is next. A strong conclusion will ensure our audience remembers our message!
3. Remember Key Words, not the Whole Speech
People who try to memorize their entire speech word for word often look awkward and uncomfortable. What is worse, if they forget something, they are lost and look very unprofessional. Instead, just remember five or six keywords and fill in the sentences as we go.
People who try to memorize their entire speech word for word often look awkward and uncomfortable. What is worse, if they forget something, they are lost and look very unprofessional. Instead, just remember five or six keywords and fill in the sentences as we go.
4. Prepare with a Watch
Teacher Joe prepares his speeches wherever he goes - on his way to work, during a break, while sitting on the toilet. To make sure he will not waste his listeners' time, he always uses a stopwatch. By timing ourselves, we will be able to cut out unnecessary parts of our speech and really fine-tune our message. (See number one above!)
Teacher Joe prepares his speeches wherever he goes - on his way to work, during a break, while sitting on the toilet. To make sure he will not waste his listeners' time, he always uses a stopwatch. By timing ourselves, we will be able to cut out unnecessary parts of our speech and really fine-tune our message. (See number one above!)
5. Use Stories
Stories are one of the most powerful ways to communicate. Stories help our audience listen carefully and remember our message better. We don't need long, complex stories. Simple events from our own experience are an excellent way to show what we mean.
Stories are one of the most powerful ways to communicate. Stories help our audience listen carefully and remember our message better. We don't need long, complex stories. Simple events from our own experience are an excellent way to show what we mean.
6. Speak with Emotion
Our schools and work environment encourage us to use our logical left brain, but most people make decisions using their imaginative right brain. When we appeal to people's emotions, we reach them in a way facts and figures can rarely do.
Our schools and work environment encourage us to use our logical left brain, but most people make decisions using their imaginative right brain. When we appeal to people's emotions, we reach them in a way facts and figures can rarely do.
7. Relax!
Take some deep breaths before we speak and keep our body upright and relaxed during our presentation. Only use hand movements or body movements when they really match what we are saying. With more experience, we can add more "body language", but at first, keep it simple.
Take some deep breaths before we speak and keep our body upright and relaxed during our presentation. Only use hand movements or body movements when they really match what we are saying. With more experience, we can add more "body language", but at first, keep it simple.
8. Speak Slowly
When we speak slowly, we have more time to think about what we want to say and how we can adapt our message to this particular audience. The audience will also be more likely to remember what we say, which is, after all, our main goal!
When we speak slowly, we have more time to think about what we want to say and how we can adapt our message to this particular audience. The audience will also be more likely to remember what we say, which is, after all, our main goal!
9. Videotape Ourselves
Teacher Joe often makes a-before and after-video of his students. They are always shocked to see their first presentations but very pleasantly surprised by the improvements in later presentations. Rather than just say "Practice makes perfect".
Teacher Joe often makes a-before and after-video of his students. They are always shocked to see their first presentations but very pleasantly surprised by the improvements in later presentations. Rather than just say "Practice makes perfect".
10. Join Toastmasters
Teacher Joe joined Toastmasters in 2003 and it changed his life. Toastmasters has a great plan, and we will benefit immensely from not only speaking and receiving evaluations, but also by learning to give evaluations ourselves!
Teacher Joe joined Toastmasters in 2003 and it changed his life. Toastmasters has a great plan, and we will benefit immensely from not only speaking and receiving evaluations, but also by learning to give evaluations ourselves!
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