Effective Presentation Tips

Reading Comprehension - Effective Presentation Tips
By Kenneth Beare, About.com

Above all know your audience and match what you say to their needs. Creating your presentation with your audience in mind, will assure that your audience will follow you. If your presentation doesn't appeal to your audience - no matter how well you have developed your presentation - your presentation will fall on deaf ears. This leads us to the next rule: Know your material thoroughly. Your material needs to be second nature to you. Practice and rehearse your presentation with friends, in front of a mirror, and with colleagues. If you are speaking in a second language, make sure that you record yourself and listen a number of times before going to practice with a native speaker (if possible).

Remember that you are an actor when presenting. Make sure that not only your physical appearance is appropriate to the occasion, but also the tone you use is well chosen. If your topic is serious, be solemn. However, it's always a good idea to begin your presentation with an ice-breaker. Don't worry about making friends, rather lead the audience through your materials in a calm and relaxed manner. Speak slowly and clearly, and remember to address everyone in the audience - even the person the farthest away from you.

To achieve the above goals follow these tips when giving your presentation:

* Speak with conviction. Believe what you are saying and you will persuade your audience.
* Do not read from notes. Referring to notes is fine, but do so only briefly.
* Maintain eye contact with your audience. Making direct eye contact with individuals will help them feel as if they are participating in your presentation.
* Bring handouts. Don't just use a PowerPoint presentation. Provide audience members with handouts of the most important materials so they can keep your most important take always in mind.
* Know when to stop. This cannot be underestimated. You need to make your case, but continuing for too long will only ensure that the audience forgets what you have said.

Key Vocabulary
audience - people watching a presentation of some kind
with someone in mind - thinking about a person
to appeal to someone - to speak to someone's interests
to fall on deaf ears - to not be heard
thoroughly - completely, entirely
to be second nature - to do something naturally, with little effort
to rehearse - to practice, repeat a number of times
to record yourself - to make an audio or video recording of yourself
appropriate - in the right place, in good taste
tone - the feeling of a presentation (i.e. funny, serious, etc.)
ice-breaker - a short story or joke to put everyone at ease before you begin
to address someone - to speak to someone
conviction - with belief
to persuade - to convince someone
to refer to notes - to look at your notes while speaking
to maintain eye contact - to look someone in the eyes
handout - sheets of paper with information presented
to make your case - to state information relating to your position

Check your understanding with this follow-up quiz.
Effective Business Presentation Tips - Quiz

Choose the correct answer to each question. Each question has only one correct answer. When you are finished click on the "Next" button. There are 10 questions to this quiz. Try to use only 30 seconds per question. At the end of the quiz, you will receive quiz feedback.

If you are not sure of an answer, go back to the effective presentation tips reading comprehension page.

1. What is the most important thing to remember when making a presentation?
a) Match your presentation to the needs of your audience
b) Make sure to wear your best clothes
c) Bring detailed handouts

2. What can the audience do if you have created your presentation with them in mind?
a) Not pay attention because they already know the information
b) Follow your presentation with ease
c) Have fun

3. Who should you rehearse your presentation with?
a) Your family
b) Your colleagues
c) Your friends
d) All of the above if possible

4. If possible, who should you also practice in front of?
a) Your boss
b) A native speaker
c) Your wife

5. What should you do before your practice your presentation in front of others?
a) Take photos of yourself presenting
b) Record yourself presenting
c) Read through your presentation

6. In which situation would jokes not be appropriate?
a) A comedy routine
b) A serious presentation
c) A mixed audience

7. What is the most important thing about speaking?
a) Speak with clear pronunciation
b) Speak quickly
c) Speak with conviction

8. Why should you know when to stop?
a) Because presentations are usually limited
b) Because going on for too long will bore your audience
c) Because you might have a plane to catch

9. You should:
a) Never look an audience member in the eye
b) Try to make eye contact with audience members
c) Wear sun glasses to make sure no one can look you in the eye

10. Handouts are important because:
a) They have your contact information written on them
b) They contain the key take aways of your presentation
c) They provide pictures that the audience can look at during your presentation

Congratulations!
You scored a 100%
You answered 10 of the 10 questions correctly.

** REFLECTION:
I practiced my reading skills and I can undestand more things every day. Also i have more business vocabulary and I learned a lot of tips to have a perfect presentations in front of my classmates.

** SOURCE:
http://esl.about.com/od/businessreading/a/present_tips.htm
October 28th 2008

The last week

Hi everyone!! I want to tell you that my last week was perfect.
Two weeks ago I was so worry about two difficult tests that I have to pass. I`ve never been very good in math and my two exams were about this subject. I was so nervous and for that reason I began my study a week before. Also, I had a lot of homework and my compresion of that topics wasn´t good. For that the day of the tests I went to the school early and I tried to practiced my exercises before the exam. When the test began I was really scared but I had to control my emotions. The day of the feedback, I was in shock because I had a perfect grade in all of my tests!!!! I was so excited and all my friends congratulated me. I was really proud of myself and in my house my mother was so happy too.
The last week was a difficult week because many emotions in one day is hard jajaja but now, i´m so confident about my intelligent and i´m sure that in my next exams I will be perfect too or ... i hope so!.

Basic Subordinating Conjunctions

Basic Subordinating Conjunctions
Click on the correct answer

1.- ________ it was raining, I didn't get wet.
a) Although
b) Because

2.- Jun couldn't buy any Christmas presents, ________ he didn't have any money.
a) even though
b) because

3.- ________ my wife likes to travel abroad, I prefer to stay at home for my vacations.
a) Whereas
b) Since

4.- Jerry passed the exam first time, ________ I had to retake it three times.
a) as
b) while

5.- I will be late today, ________ my car has broken down.
a) because
b) though

6.- ________ Mei Li doesn't speak English, she can't go to university in Canada.
a) Whereas
b) Since

7.- Paula got the job, ________ she had no experience.
a) as
b) even though

8.- I don't drink coffee, ________ it makes me nervous.
a) as
b) although

** REFLECTION:
I practiced some exercises of those, even though and althouhg because now it´s a little bit hard to me. I need to practice more how to combine sentences in the correct form. I´m sure about the meaning of every word but it´s difficult for me put these sentences in a correct order.

** SOURCE:
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/subcon1.htm
October 27th 2008

Telephone Conversations

** DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE EXERCISE:

These exercises were about telephone conversations. The internet page gives you three exercises, all of them are conversations between two persons on the phone. You should listen carefully and try to answer the questions below the instructions. There are six questions per conversation and at the final of the test you received a grade and a percent about your right answers. In the first conversation, the guy asked for Mary but He dialed wrong the number and that wasn´t Mary´s home. In the second listening, the person is looking for Alice but She´s not at home and at the final listening, You need to pay attention because the caller spells his name and he gives a message for Pete. I was so excieted at the final of the exercise because I have 100%. This is a really goal for me.

** REFLECTION:
This time, I have more security about my answers and I can undestand more things than the first time. I feel happy about my goals and I will try to practice more my listening.

** SOURCE:
http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/call/phoneconv.html
October 21th 2008

Idioms

Exercise

Below each underlined idiom write the letter of the correct meaning.

a) Dangerous situation f) hide something

b) all the time g) adopt good tactics

c) do something that has already been done h) bureaucracy

d) no conditions i) being discouraging

e) refused to j) experimental subject

1.- They should never have tried to sweep that pollution scandal under the carpet. ( f )

2.- That company will go bankrupt if they don´t cut some red tape. ( h )

3.- At the end of our presentation, he spent ten minutes pouring cold water on our proposal. ( i )

4.- The head of research herself agreed to be the guinea pig for the trials on the new drug. ( j )

5.- We agreed to do exercises every morning but we drew the line at wearing the company uniform. ( e )

6.- We must be very careful about promoting ourselves as an ethical company - we´re in a minefield! ( a )

7.- Chivers is going to damage his health - he´s been working round the clock. ( b )

8.- It´s yours for a million and no strings attached. ( d )

9.- They could get the contract if they play their cards right. ( g )

10.- We don´t want to reinvent the wheel. ( c )

** REFLECTION:

Idioms are one of my favorite things in english. I like to learned more vocabulary and this kind of word is really useful to watch movies and understand everything that the people say.

** SOURCE:

Flinders, Steve. (1997) PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH. Business: Intermediate. England: Penguin English Guides. Pages 36 and 37.

Carla´s Party

This weekend will be the Carla´s party. Carla is one of my best friends and I love her a lot. This Wednesday, I went to have the dinner with her in an Italian restaurant and she told me about her idea for her birthday party. She´s thinking about doing a costume party with all our friends and her family too. I like the halloween parties and I`m sure about that this party will be the best parties of these holidays. I don´t know what will be my costume but I need to see it soon. I was thinking about dress me like devil, angel or cat. Maybe there will be a lot of people with those costumes but i don´t have many ideas and with the school, i don´t have enough time to create a perfect costume for this party.
I´m so worry about my friend´s gift because i don´t know what can i give her. She is so special to me and I have to give her a perfect birthday gift. This week will be a busy week. I need to do many things. I have to go shopping, prepare my costume and do all my activities for the school. I hope that this week i won´t have a lot of homework and quizzes because I should share my time in many activities that i have to do.
Carla´s party will be a great party and I´m sure that it will be a lot of fun.

Phone Message

Phone Message
Listening Exercises

phone message
conversation
man - girl
00:45

II. Listening Exercises [Top]I. Listen to the conversation by pressing the "Play Audio" button and answer the questions. Press the "Final Score" button to check your quiz.

1. What is the name of the caller?
A. Nick B. Nate C. Neil

2. According the girl, her father:
A. is not home. B. is on another line. C. can't come to the telephone.

3. What is the man's telephone number?
A. 598-7482 B. 587-4728 C. 589-7248

4. The man tells the girl:
A. that he will call again sometime after 7:00 PM.
B. to ask her father to call him later.
C. that he will drop by around 8:30 PM.

5. What does the girl refuse to tell the caller?
A. her age B. her name C. her address

** REFLECTION:
I should try to see more kvies in english to improve my listening because there are many things that I can´t undestand in a conversation.

** SOURCE:
http://www.esl-lab.com/meet/meetrd1.htm#list
October 14th 2008

Exercise - Phrasal Verbs

EXERCISE:
Use the following verbs (believe, fill, get, look, put, switch, take, throw, turn, try) and the prepositions (away, down, for, in, off, on, out) an form meaningful sentences.

Example:
My parents are out. So I have to _________ my baby-brother.
Answer: My parents are out. So I have to look after my baby-brother.

1) Quick! Get on the bus. It's ready to leave.
2) I don't know where my book is. I have to look for it.
3) It's dark inside. Can you switch on the light, please?
4) Fill in the form, please.
5) I need some new clothes. Why don't you try on these jeans?
6) It's warm inside. Take off your coat.
7) This pencil is really old. You can throw it away .
8) It's so loud here. Can you turn down the radio a little.
9) The firemen were able to put out the fire in Church Street.
10) Does your little brother believe in ghosts?

** REFLECTION:

I need more practice with the meaning of the phrasal verbs because sometimes I`m confused about how can i use them.

** SOURCE:

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/structures/phrasal_verbs_sentences.htm

October 14th 2008

My nephew!!!

My nephew´s name is Jorge Emilio. He´s a little boy that only have 3 years old. He´s really smart and handsome. Jorge Emilio is the best thing that i´ve ever had in my life. My brother is his father and my family love him a lot. He always has to be doing something. He loves to play with me and my sister because there aren´t other children to play with. When my family knew that my sister in law was pregnat, everybody was so happy. For me, could be a little bit more difficult because i´m the "baby" for my parents and they give me everything that i want, but with a new kid in the house , i thought that the things could be different... but i undestood that It wasn´t truth. When he borned was the best day of my life. I was in the school and i had to leave my basketball class to go to the hospital to know my new nephew. I was so excited to see him the first time. He was perfect. My family took care of him maybe for six months because his mother worked and his father too, for that reason my sister and i always were with him. Jorge Emilio is so brave and he doesn´t have afraid to try new things. He´s really special and his personality is strong like me jajaja. I love Jorge Emilio more than anyone and i´ll always want to be part of his life.

I´m so tired...

Since the last week i have a busy life. The school now is really tired to me. I have a lot of homework to do and many of my tests are a little bit difficult, for that reason i have to study a lot every day. This week i had a really long test, i didn´t sleep all night and in the morning i was so tired. I can´t pay attention to my other classes i only wanted to go to sleep in my bed jajaja.
For example, next week i will have two tests. One on Wednesday and other on Thursday. No, i don´t want to study for that tests. The information is too much and i´m really bad with math jajaja and microeconomy. The good thing is that my teachers give us the oportunity to write formulas and come with them for our test. Also, i have a lot of homework too. Many math problems, essays, exercises, etc. I need more time in my day because if my classes finish late, i don´t have enough time to do everything that i need to do.
Maybe next week will be so busy, but i hope that in a few weeks my life will be normal again.

My new Portfolio!!!!

First, i have to say that i hated the idea for the portfolio in a kind of space. The reality is that i don´t have enough time to enter at internet and i´m a little bit slow to undestand the computer things.
Now, I can say that i like writting in my space because i can do my homework everywhere and the internet is great for search information and exercises for our labels.
I hope that i can learn more things every day with this activities. I want to improve my english and memorize new vocabulary.
Also, I like this space because i love to meet new people and i like to visit other spaces for my classmates. My space is an interesting activity and i hope that this can help me to learn more things in English.

Thomas Edison

Thomas Alva Edison lit up the world with his invention of the electric light. Without him, the world might still be a dark place. However, the electric light was not his only invention. He also invented the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and over 1,200 other things. About every two weeks he created something new.
Thomas A. Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, on February 11, 1847. His family moved to Port Huron, Michigan, when he was seven years old. Surprisingly, he attended school for only two months. His mother, a former teacher, taught him a few things, but Thomas was mostly self-educated. His natural curiosity led him to start experimenting at a young age with electrical and mechanical things at home.
When he was 12 years old, he got his first job. He became a newsboy on a train that ran between Port Huron and Detroit. He set up a laboratory in a baggage care of the train so that he could continue his experiments in his spare time. Unfortunately, his first work experience did not end well. Thomas was fired when he accidentally set fire to the floor of the baggage car.
Thomas then worked for five years as a telegraph operator, but he continued to spend much of his time on the job conducting experiments. He got his first patent in 1868 for a vote recorder run by electricity. However, the vote recorder was not a success. In 1870, he sold another invention, a stock-ticker, for $40,000. A stock-ticker is a machine that automatically prints stock prices on a tape. He was then able to build his first shop in Newark, New Jersey.
Thomas Edison was totally deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other, but thought of his deafness as a blessing in many ways. It kept conversations short, so that he could have more time for work. He called himself a "two-shift man" because he worked 16 out of every 24 hours. Sometimes he worked so intensely that his wife had to remind him to sleep and eat.
Thomas Edison died at the age of 84 on October 18, 1931, at his estate in West Orange, New Jersey. He left numerous inventions that improved the quality of life all over the world.


1. Thomas Edison did things in this order:
a.
he became a telegraph operator, a newsboy, and then got his first patent
b.
he became a newsboy, got his first patent, and then became a telegraph operator
c.
he got a patent, became a telegraph operator, and then became a newsboy
d.
he became a newsboy, a telegraph operator, and then got a patent




2. Edison considered his deafness:
a.
a disadvantage
b.
a blessing
c.
something from a priest
d.
a necessity



3. Of all the inventions, __________ was probably the most important for civilization.
a.
the vote recorder
b.
the stock ticker
c.
the light bulb
d.
the motion picture camera



4. The main idea of this passage is:
a.
Thomas Edison was always interested in science and inventions, and he invented many important things.
b.
Thomas Edison could not keep a job.
c.
Thomas Edison worked day and night on his experiments.
d.
Deaf people make good inventors because they can focus without the distraction of spoken conversation.



** REFLECTION:
I learned about Thomas Edison. I practice my reading and i undestand more everyday.

** SOURCE:
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/exercises/exreading/topic1a.html
OCTOBER 8th 2008

YOUR COMPANY

Fill in the missing words in the sentences below. Choose from the words in the box. You can then use similar sentences to talk about your company.

COMPANY COMPETITORS CUSTOMERS EMPLOYEES LEADER PRODUCTS
PROFIT SHARE SHAREHOLDERS SHARE PRICE SUBSIDIARIES TURNOVER



1.- I work for a COMPANY called Kwikshoe.
2.- Our main PRODUCTS are sport shoes.
3.- Kwikshoe is a world LEADER in the tennis shoe sector.
4.- It has a national market SHARE of 23%.
5.- It has 2,500 EMPLOYEES in this country.
6.- It has seven SUBSIDIARIES in five different countries.
7.- its main CUSTOMERS are young people and people who do sport.
8.- Its main COMPETITORS are in Britain and the USA.
9.- Its main SHAREHOLDERS are banks and pension funds.
10.- Its TURNOVER last year was $1.2 billion.
11.- Its PROFIT last year was $16 million.
12.- Its SHARE PRICE today is $57.

** REFLECTION:

I learned many words for my major. I have more vocabulary now and i can do sentences with these words.

** SOURCE:

Flinders, Steve. (1996) PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH. Business: General. England: Penguin English Guides. Page 2.