Oral Presentation: Structure1
This is the standard structure of a well-done presentation:
I. Introduction
SECTION
GREETING
FUNCTION
Gets the audience's attention.
EXAMPLES
"Good morning."
"Good afternoon."
Introduce yourself if necessary "Hello, everyone."
WHAT
Introduce the main topic of
"Today I will talk about [TOPIC]."
your speech.
"My presentation will be about [TOPIC]."
"I would like to tell you about [TOPIC]."
WHY
Explains why the main topic is "[TOPIC] is important because [REASON]."
interesting or important
"I want to tell you about [TOPIC] because
[REASON]."
OVERVIEW Explains the main points of
"First, I'll tell you about --."
your speech.
"Then, I'll talk about --."
"Next, I'll tell you about --."
"Finally, I'll tell you about --."
II. Body
a. Mentions main points clearly
b. Uses sufficient examples and details (evidence) to support each main point
c. Organizes information effectively
d. Develops ideas logically
e. Uses clear transitions
III. Conclusion
SECTION
WHAT
FUNCTION
Mentions the main topic again
SUMMARY
EMPHASIS
Summarizes the main points
Emphasizes some key examples
or evidence from each main
point.
ENDING
COMMENT
THANK
YOU
Gives advice or some kind of
suggestion
Thanks the audience for
listening.
QUESTIONS Asks the audience for questions.
EXAMPLES
"Today I talked about [TOPIC]."
"My presentation was about [TOPIC]."
"In this presentation, I've told you all
about [TOPIC]."
“Today I have talked about ~.”
"Please remember [EXAMPLE /
EVIDENCE]."
"For example, I discussed [EXAMPLE]."
"I hope you remember [EXAMPLE]."
"Don't forget [EXAMPLE]."
"Thank you."
"Thank you very much."
"Thank you for listening."
"Are there any questions?"
1
I own this handout to Greg Nakai. One of the students commented that knowing the basic
structure helps her preparing presentations for any class.