How to give a presentation
in English - Session 7
By Viv Quarry
(www.vivquarry.com)
Highlighting information
There are a number of different ways you can emphasise and highlight key points in your presentation to give it more impact, and to sound more persuasive. Here are some of them:
Stressing an auxiliary
verb.
You can highlight key ideas by stressing auxiliary verbs like: is, was, were, will, has.
With negatives put stress on words like: no or not e.g.: is not or will not.
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EXPRESSIONS*************************
It's costing a lot of money. BECOMES It IS costing a lot of money.
We aren't recommending any BECOMES We are NOT recommending
major changes. any major changes.
The company doesn't see any BECOMES The company sees NO need for
need for change. change.
Adding the auxiliary do,
does or did in an affirmative statement.
You can emphasise an idea by
adding the auxiliary do, does, did in front of the main verb.
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EXPRESSIONS*************************
We see a need for change. BECOMES We DO see a need for change.
Personnel knew about it before. BECOMES Personnel DID know about it...
I think it's very expensive. BECOMES I DO think it's very expensive.
Changing the word order of
a sentence.
You can also add emphasis by
adding 'what' and changing the word order in a sentence
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EXPRESSIONS*************************
We're suggesting cuts in production. BECOMES What we're suggesting are cuts...
They propose a major reorganisation. BECOMES What they propose is a major....
More investment is needed, not cuts BECOMES What is needed is more
in investment. investment not cuts in investment
Repeating key words and
ideas.
Repeating important ideas or
vocabulary is also a useful way of reinforcing a point.
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EXPRESSIONS*************************
We need to reduce production BECOMES We need to reduce production
and packaging costs. costs, and we also need to reduce
packaging costs.
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EXERCISES
Choose one of the frameworks below as the basis for a presentation. If possible, record yourself and play it back afterwards.
1 Describe a current situations.
Give the benefits and weaknesses.
Make a proposal,
Give the benefits and weaknesses then counterbalance).
2 Describe a problem.
Give two options.
Give the benefits and weaknesses of both options.
3 Describe a procedure or organisation
Give the benefits and weaknesses.
Give three options.
Describe the benefits and weaknesses of all three options.
CHECKLIST
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YES/NO |
EXAMPLE PHRASES |
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Evaluate your organisation: Have you used: |
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signals to move from point to point? |
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linking words to make your arguments clear? |
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Evaluate your delivery: |
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Have you emphasised and highlighted your main ideas? |
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Are there any changes you need to make? |
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