Preparing an Oral
Presentation
By
Ameer Sultan
PhD (English) Scholar (IIUI)
M.Phil English (IIUI)
M.A. English (NUML)
Sequence of Presentation
 Initial Planning
 Organization
 Elements
 Structure
 Basic Rules
 Support Material
 Controlling your Audience
 Polish
 Conclusion
Initial Planning
• Determine the type of talk you’ll be giving.
• Determine the audience composition, particularly
the knowledge level.
• Determine the length of time for the presentation.
• What are your goals for this presentation?
Organization
• Start thinking about your topic as early as
possible
• Prepare background material – don’t assume your
audience is familiar with the basic concepts of your
topic
• Traditional manuscript format (introduction,
materials and methods, results, discussion,
summary/conclusions)
• Marketing modification (start with an overview or
abstract)
Elements
• Focus on communication
– Straightforward language
– Avoid “busy” slides
– Use fonts that are readable
• Full sentences are unnecessary
• Diagrams/images can be very effective
Elements (continued)
• Smooth transition between slides
• Summarize the key points as your last
slide
• Repeat questions before answering them
Pronunciation
Correct pronunciation is important if one is to be understood correctly.
Incorrect pronunciation is perhaps the first cause of communication
breakdown.
Few words fall in the category of more than one part of speech.
Mr. Ahmed is our associate.
They seldom associate with others
We have complete record of it.
Do you record phone messages?
The divers found one metal object.
They object to our leaving earlier.
The Structure
• Remember that this isn’t a conversation or written report.
• Start with telling the audience what you plan on telling.
them
• List the goals of the presentation.
• Summarize the content.
• In essence, tell them what you’re going to tell them and then
tell them
Basic Rules
 Communicate your passion
KISS – Keep It Short and Simple
 Use plain language
 Keep the focus on the information, not the razzle
dazzle effects
 Avoid last-minute changes

Rehearse the presentation and when you’re
comfortable, rehearse some more
 Don’t memorize or rely heavily on notes
It looks unconvincing
Basic Rules (continued)
 Pace yourself
 Don’t race through, leaving the audience

behind
Don’t drag on, losing the audience’s attention
Support Materials
 Your presentation may be clear and
concise but don’t rely on it to make a lasting
impression on your audience


Provide additional documentation or handouts
Provide a URL where the presentation can be
found
Controlling Your Audience
 Stand where you can be seen and where you can see




the audience
Observe the audience, making eye contact whenever
Possible
Try not to wander, fidget, or look down
Handle questions politely and professionally
Polish
 Use powerful words or phrases to make more of an




impact
Refer to the audience as “you”
Humor can help hold an audience’s interest and make
some points more memorable
Quotations can be a powerful tool for making a point
Thank your audience when you’re done
Comfort, Stretch and Panic Zone
Bibliography
Brown Mike (2008) Comfort Zone: Model or
metaphor? Australian Journal of Outdoor
Education, 12(1).
Hutchinson, T. & A. Waters. (1987). English for
Specific Purposes: A learning-centered
approach. Cambridge: CUP.
Powel, Mark (1996). Presenting in English How to
Give Successful Presentations. Boston: Thomson
Heinle.
Vilies, R,Price (1993). Modern Business English,
California: Macmillan.
Thank You