Presentations

Techniques for building the delivery

To maximize the effectiveness of your presentation, pay attention to the following tips.

USE OF WORDS IN A SPEECH
Start with an anecdoteSharing an interesting anecdote can be one way to grab the reader’s attention.In TED talk Learning a language? Speak it like you’re playing a video game, Marianna Pascal starts her talk with her personal experience as an ESL teacher in Malaysia. Watch it here.
Build a conversationA presentation is a two-way interaction, so find ways to interact with the audience if you can whether it be through Q&A or tone of delivery.Estelle Gibson, in her TED talk, The true cost of financial dependence, uses conversational style while narrating her experience to give the audience a chance to think through the talk. Watch it here.
SimplicityKeep the length of your presentation appropriate to your audience and purpose.Bill Gates, in his TED talk The next outbreak? We’re not ready, In spite of the complexity of the issue, makes his speech very easy to understand. Watch it here.

Tone of Voice

Andy Eklund (2012) says, “Tone vocalizes what the speaker is feeling. A positive tone might be described as ‘friendly’ or ‘confident,’ while a negative tone might be ‘bored’ or ‘dreadful.’” Use a speaking voice that is conversational, warm, and positive.

USE OF VOICE IN A SPEECH
Project your voiceProject your voice, so the person sitting farthest from you can hear you easily.
Vary your toneVary your tone to maintain interest and emphasize key points.
Alter paceMaintain interest and add emphasis by giving your speech a rhythm. “Speak faster to show excitement and/or build suspense. Speak slower to show the importance of an idea. Pause after important ideas to allow audience time to grasp them” (“Delivering the Presentation,” n.d.).

Body Language

Body language is extremely important. It provides non-verbal cues to the audience. Use these tips to make an impact right from the beginning of your presentation.

USE OF BODY LANGUAGE IN A SPEECH(adapted from “Delivering the Presentation,” n.d.)
Eye contactMake eye contact with your audience to keep them interested. This will allow you to notice if they are showing signs of being bored or confused, in which case you may want to change your tone or expression.
Facial expressionMake sure your face is enthusiastic. Smile and use your eyes to express feelings like joy or excitement. Avoid blank facial expressions, which will trigger disengagement.
PostureStand straight with your shoulders back, feet slightly apart, and arms naturally relaxed at your sides. Avoid slouching and leaning.
GestureFor a small audience, use more fine gestures with your fingers. For a larger audience, use big gestures with your hands and arms to add emphasis. Avoid fidgeting.

Now, let’s watch a video from Stanford Graduate School of Business, demonstrating the importance of using body language properly in a presentation.

Learn more about delivering a presentation here.