Presentation

Skill
English for Biology Students
Faculty of Biology
Universitas Gadjah Mada
“The brain starts working the moment
you’re born and never stops until you
get up to speak in public.”
– Anonymous
 Presentation
An activity to express an idea to an audience.
Purpose:
 To get a message across with a maximum effect.
 Either providing information (“tell”) or doing
persuasion (“sell”).
 In this course --> to enhance communication skills.
Involving speaking, visual media, and participation.
A presentation is NOT SIMILAR
to a lecture.
 Active vs. passive task.
Written vs. Spoken Language

Written language Spoken language

• Long sentences • Shorter sentences

• Complex vocabulary • Simpler vocabulary
• Complex arguments • Simpler arguments
• Impersonal style • Personal style
How to make a good presentation…
Watch out!!
So how do I make
a good oral
presentation?
Elements of a good presentation
 Clear about its purpose.
 Has an attention-getting opening;
memorable closing.
 You are the center of attention.
 Organized.
 Enthusiastic.
 Meets needs of audience.
 For the ear to hear as well as the eye to see.
 Stories and examples.
Important factors in your delivery
Pay attention to the following aspects:
 Appearance
 Dress appropriately.
 Voice
 How you say is as important as what you say.
 Speak a little slower, with a variety of tones.
 Eye contact.
 Body language and gesture.
 Involvement of audience.
 Give some things to think of, to avoid boringness.
 Concise but interesting presentation material.
Preparation
 Identify the expectations of the assignment
 How long?
 What is the intent of this presentation? To inform?
Entertain? Persuade? Critique? Educate? Inspire?
 Know your subject
 Have something of substance to say.
 Learn more than you will say.
 The more you know, the more enthusiastic you will be.
 Know your audience
 What do they know about your topic? About you?
 What do they expect?
 Are they interested? Biased?
Delivery: Voice
 Clarity
 Speak clearly. Don't slur words together.
 Muttering over a slide is terrible.
 Loudness
 Make sure you speak loudly enough.
 If you speak loudly and distinctly your voice will project
much better.
 To project your voice, you must open your mouth,
especially true with “o”.
Delivery: Voice (cont’d)
 Using tone for emphasis and avoiding monotony
 The pause
 Pausing can be very effective, especially in drawing
attention to finishing one point and starting another.
 Attention-getting words/phrases
 Welcome, Now, Look, Let me begin, Attention! Even
Good morning/afternoon/evening can be used this way.
 Speed
 Often, oral presenters who are nervous talk too fast.
Slow down, take it easy, be clear.
Delivery: Verbal Gestures
 Avoid using negative aspects
when speaking, it can be very
irritating:
 “um”, “er”, “yeah”, “uh”, “you
know”, “OK”, and other kinds of
nervous verbal habits.
 Instead of saying "uh," or "you
know" etc. every three seconds, try
not saying anything at all.
Delivery: Body Language
The gestures, poses, movements, and expressions
that a person uses to communicate.
Very important to make a presentation more
convincing.
Includes:
 Eye contact.
 Facial expression.
 Use of the hands.
 Posture and movement.
Delivery: Hand Gestures
 To emphasize points.
 Draws the attention of the audience.
 Aiding clarification.
 Not too much hand waving.
 Can be distracting and a bit comical.
 Use the hands in different ways.
 In general, make only occasional hand gestures.
 Plan to keep your hands clasped together, or;
 Holding on to the podium, cue cards, etc.
 Be careful!
 Development of particular habits; some can be irritating.
 Try to avoid habitual behaviors using your hands (fumbling
change in pocket, or twirling the chair in front of you, for
example).
Delivery:Face Gestures
 Do you think the audience will like it if:
 You appear to be happy?
 You are smiling?
 Do you think the audience will notice if:
 You appear tired?
 You are angry (at the audience or any person)?
 You are nervous?
 Facial expressions can show most of these.
 A happy, smiling face showing interest is
important.
 Avoid an expressionless face.
Delivery:Eye Contact
 Look at the audience as much as possible.
 But don't fix your attention on one individual or at
a select few individuals.
 Intimidating or annoying.
 Do not:
 Face the display screen behind you and
talk to it.
 Look at the computer screen
and talk to that.
 Read a script.
Delivery:Posture and Movement
 How do you stand?
 At attention, at ease, leaning against something, sitting on
the edge of a table or on a chair?
 Gestures are used to draw further attention to
yourself.
 Position yourself so that everyone can see all of you.
 The audience likes to see the person speaking.
 Do not block the screen from the audience.
 However, avoid moving about too much.
 Pacing up and down can unnerve the audience.
Introducing yourself and your talk
 Greeting name, position
 Good morning, my name is………….., I am …………..
 Ladies and gentlemen, it’s an honor to have the
opportunity to address such a distinguished audience.
 Good morning, let me start by saying just a few words
about my own background.
 Title/subject
 I’d like to talk (to you) today about ……………
 The subject of my talk ………………
 The focus of my presentation ………..
 The topic of my paper/my speech …………
The content of a presentation (1)
 Purpose/objective
 We are here today to decide …./ agree … / learn about ..……
 The purpose of this talk is to update you on……. /put you in the
picture about……..../give you the background of ……….
 This talk is designed to ………..

 Outlines/main parts
 I’ve divided my presentation into …. parts/sections. They are …...
 The subject can be looked at under the following headings ……...
 We can break this area down into the following fields:……………
The content of a presentation (2)
 Content
Describe/explain the content of your talk clearly and
systematically.
 Questions
 I’d be glad to address any questions at the end of my talk.
 If you have any questions, please feel free to interrupt.
 Closing sentence
 This has been my talk. Thank you for your attention/for
listening.
Do:
 …. prepare in advance.
 …. keep calm; just relax and breathe normally.
 …. speak clearly.
 …. dress appropriately.
 …. maintain eye contact with the audience.
 …. display enthusiasm and genuine concern.
 …. use appropriate tone.
 …. use transitional devices, words, and phrases coherently.
 …. allow time for a question/answer period.
 …. answer questions credibly. If you don't know, say so.
 …. start and stop your presentation on time.
 ….. make excuses for not being properly prepared.
 ….. read your presentation without looking at the audience.
 ….. hide behind a desk or computer screen.
 ….. use slang or informal language.
 ….. speak too quickly
 ….. pace back and forth.
 …. talk at and stand in front of your visual aid.
 …. speak in a monotone or mumble.
 …. slouch.
 …. sit or lean on the desk.
 …. sway or rock in place.
Now you’re ready to deliver your
presentation!