Great guide to making a public speech
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Cause and effect
When you are giving a presentation, your job is to not only present the facts but also to give the reasons (why), the purpose (objectives) and the results. In a presentation, the language used is often very simple, much simpler than if we were writing. For example: Reason: We sold the land because we needed to release […]
Focusing attention
When we really want to focus the attention of our audience on an important point, we can use this “What ……. is ….” Look at these examples: We must cut costs. What we must do is cut costs. We need more reliable suppliers. What we need is more reliable suppliers. Loading Focussing attention
Rhetorical questions
Presentations are more interesting if you use a conversational style. They are more lively and you establish a rapport between you and your audience. You can do this by using a question and answer technique – you ask a question and then answer it. Your questions create anticipation and guide your audience to your point […]
Dealing with questions 3
ere are some ways of dealing with questions when you are the SPEAKER: When you don’t want to answer: To be honest, I’m not really the person to ask about that. When someone interrupts you: Sorry, could I just finish? When you finally understand what they want to know: Oh I see. So what you […]
Dealing with questions 2
Here are some useful expressions for when you are making a presentation or talk, perhaps in a meeting or in a congress or perhaps more informally in a discussion around the coffee machine. Or, if you work at Google, over the table football or going down the slide Are there any questions? That is all […]
Dealing with questions
Sometimes you can only ask questions at the end of a presentation. In that case, you need to refer back to the point in the talk you need clarification on. Here are some useful expressions to help you do that: First focus on the point you want to discuss You talked about You talked about […]
Clarification 2
Sometimes you can only ask questions at the end of a presentation. In that case, you need to refer back to the point in the talk you need clarification on. Here are some useful expressions to help you do that: First focus on the point you want to discuss You talked about You talked about […]
Clarification
When we are talking to somebody, we don’t always understand everything they say. There are two useful techniques for dealing with this. Firstly, we can simply ask them to repeat what they said. Could you say that again please? I didn’t follow that. Could you repeat it? Secondly, we can ask them to say again […]
Softening
Sometimes you want to soften the impact of what you are saying and give it less importance. Here are some ways to do that: Little The quality could have been a little better.The speaker should have spoken a little louder. Slight There is a slight problem we need to deal with.I have a slight doubt […]
Emphasis 2
Emphasizing 2 Here is some more language to help you make your presentation more persuasive and make your points stronger : openly admit I openly admit that I have made mistakes.If they openly admit that they were at fault, they may get the public back on their side. totally agree I totally agree with what […]
Emphasis
Make your presentation more persuasive by making your points stronger. Here is some language to help you: a total disaster The whole project was a total disaster from beginning to end. extremely good We have an extremely good chance of getting the contract. a terrible mistake It wasn’t a minor error. It was a terrible […]
Visual aids
When we are giving lots of information, we often use visuals to give an overview. However, we often need to highlight only one or two key points or figures and then comment on them. Here’s some language to help you.
Giving numbers
When we talk about changes, we often show graphs. We don’t need to give precise figures but we do need to comment on them, interpret them and point out relevant facts. Let’s look at some language to do this
Adjectives of change
When we talk about changes, we often need to point out how big or rapid these changes have been. To do this, we need to use adjectives.
Describing changes
When we are giving a presentation, we often talk about changes. Usually we illustrate these changes with visual aids to show these changes. We need, however, to explain these changes. To do this, we need special verbs
State your purpose
It is important to state your purpose clearly at the beginning of your talk. Here are some ways to do this: talk about = to speak about a subject Today I’d like to talk about our plans for the new site. I’m going to be talking to you about the results of our survey. report on = […]
Stand up
I don’t think you’re going to like today’s point. I don’t like it very much myself but it’s got to be done. For most purposes, when you give a presentation you should stand. Not clutching the back of your chair for support, not leaning against the podium but two feet on the floor facing your […]
Emphasis
When we really want to focus the attention of our audience on an important point, we can use this “What ……. is ….” Look at these examples: We must cut costs. What we must do is cut costs. We need more reliable suppliers. What we need is more reliable suppliers.
Microphones
Microphones can be a real problem. Very few of us use them frequently and so, when we have to talk into them in an already nervous state, we can easily make elementary mistakes. As a general rule, try to speak more clearly when you are using a microphone. (It will probably help if you speak […]
A friendly face
When you stand up in front of that audience, you’re going to be really nervous. Poor speakers pay little or no attention to their audience as people. Big mistake. If you can see your audience as a group of individuals, you’ll be much more likely to connect with those individuals. Start looking around your audience. […]
Survival Language
If you get your facts wrong. I am terribly sorry. What I meant to say was this. Sorry. What I meant is this. If you have been going too fast and your audience is having trouble keeping up with you. Let me just recap on that. I want to recap briefly on what I have […]
Starting a presentation
In modern English, Presentations tend to be much less formal than they were even twenty years ago. Most audience these days prefer a relatively informal approach. However, there is a certain structure to the opening of a Presentation that you should observe. Get people’s attention Welcome them Introduce yourself State the purpose of your presentation […]
Get some coaching
Public speaking is not natural to most of us. Why not get some help from a friend or a professional coach? There is no reason to feel embarrassed.
Take questions
Fear of the unknown makes us wary about taking questions. But fear not. Questions will allow you to explain in more depth where you need to. It is the easiest way of finding out how successful your presentation was.
Act naturally
When we are self-concious, our body movements become unnatural. This communicates fear to the audience. Try to relax. Act naturally.
Dealing with mistakes
One thing is for sure – you are going to make mistakes. Nobody is perfect – and your audience will not expect you to be perfect. If you make a minor mistake, just ignore it. If you make a major mistake, use humour to diffuse the situation.
Getting it wrong with your body language
Most people do not pay enough attention to their non-verbal communication. This can seriously effect your ability to convince an audience. Let’s see how we can improve our credibility.; Coming across as false If you don’t believe what you are saying, your body language will give you away. Unnatural hand gestures It’s perfectly natural to […]
Eliminate the Fillers
We all use fillers from time to time. Erm, you know, ah etc. As we get more nervous we tend to use fillers more. Bad idea. They make your speech more difficult to follow and are a sure sign of your nerves.
4 Ways to Communicate Better
Communication is an important skill, both for your career success and for your private relationships. Be plausible You’ve got to get across to your audience that you are plausible, worthy of trust. This applies equally to an audience of one or an audience of 300. And applies equally to written communication. Make it clear from […]
Slow down
When we are nervous, we tend to speak more quickly. Not good when you are speaking in public. Learn to control your pace. Breath deeply and speak slowly.
Everybody gets nervous
Nervy? Normal. We all get nervous before public speaking. Once you start speaking, you will relax.
Dress Confidently
Public Speaking is a lot to do with confidence. One way to feel confident is to dress smartly. Make an effort with your clothes and see the difference.
Practice, practice, practice
We can argue over the spelling. You may prefer to write it practise, practise, practise. But the message is clear – before you make a speach or presentation, you’ve got to rehearse it again and again until you are good at it.
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