Hints and pointers on how to give oral presentations

Preparation is crucial

Ask yourself:

WHY?- to give information?- to persuade

(övertyga)?- to present an

argument?

WHOM FOR?- who are the audience?- what do they already

know?- what do they need to

know?- what would they find

interesting?

HOW LONG?- how much talk?- how much time for visual aids -how much time for questions?

WHAT SOURCES?

- written sources- interviews- study visits- visual material

IT IS ESSENTIAL TO USE A VARIETY OF SOURCE MATERIALS!

Once finished, it’s time for the next step:

the PREPARATION

This is an ORAL PRESENTATION: TALK don’t read.

Work from NOTES – possibly written on cards

Use your OWN LANGUAGE as much as possible.

Visual Aids

Can offer a variety of benefits: something to talk to serve as an eye catcher; reminder of what you’ve said simplify complex information e.g. statistics

Remember:

keep your visual aids simple limit the ideas presented on each one LARGE LETTERS (bokstäver) key expressions use COLOR to add to the appearance check grammar and spelling!!!!!

Make an outline of the presentation:

What will be mentioned in the introduction (a)? What will be in the main part – development (b) – of the presentation? What will be in the conclusion (c)?

a) INTRODUCTION

yourself your subject your purpose (syfte) the order of your presentation

An effective introduction should be brief (kortfattad) and to the point (koncis). You might start with one of the following:

a surprising or unusual fact a personal story and interesting example a quotation (citat) from an authority or expert impressive or significant statistics.

b) DEVELOPMENT

This is the main part of your presentation so it is important that it is clear. Remember the audience is only listening so:

do not give too much information too quickly space out the main points establish a logical order of points.

c) CONCLUSION

This section should not contain any new information. It should:

refer back to the purpose of the presentation as stated in the introduction summarize (sammanfatta) the main points and state your main conclusions ask if there are any questions

It is essential that you rehearse (repeterar, tränar) your presentation. You should:

- if a group presentation, decide who is doing what -check your timing – it must be right!!- become familiar with your visual aids - Practise- check that visual aids can be clearly seen at the back of the room- check your pronunciation (uttal), spelling, grammar and intonation – especially the third person “s”!!!

a) Physical

CLOTHES can be important – it is part of the message you are giving to the audience.

STANCE – do not look as if you are bored or uncomfortable. Use gestures.

Maintain contact with your audience. Smile occasionally (då och då).

Look reasonably confident and enthusiastic - credibility

b) Voice:

Are you audible? (Hörs du?) Are you speaking too fast? Are you mumbling? Are you talking to a visual aid instead of the audience? Is your voice monotonous? Do you have the right intonation?

Do not sigh! (Sucka inte)

c) Using Visual Aids

Only when they are appropriate – not just because they are pretty/funny etc.

Remember not to stand in front of them.

Give your audience time to look at them before talking about them.

Use a pointer to direct the audience’s attention to them.

Switch off machines (OHP, projector, VCR etc.) when they are not being used.

Make sure the furniture in the room – chairs, desks etc. – are arranged according to your desire.

Think about whether you are going to deliver standing up or…

Where are you going to stand? Can everyone in the room see you?

Nervousness is natural

Think of controlling your nerves

Breathe deeply

If your hands shake – do not hold

anything, make gestures.

If your knees knock – stand behind something.

You know what to say – not the audience.

Learn from your mistakes and do better next time.

When in doubt - SMILE

First of all

May I begin by

I would like to start by

to point out / as far as

as you can see on this…

on the contrary

on the whole

to sum up / finally

as you (may) know

in other words

draw your attention to

this indicates

in other words

on the other hand

in this particular/specific case

in conclusion