Speaking guide
Practise a presentation in English
A presentation is easier when the opening is automatic. If the first thirty seconds come out smoothly, the rest follows. Rehearse your opening, your transitions and your closing on camera; you don't need to learn every slide by heart.
A sample to rehearse
Good morning, everyone. In the next ten minutes I'd like to show you why our customers leave in their first month, and one change that could keep more of them.
I'll start with what the numbers tell us, then share three things customers said in interviews, and finish with the change we're proposing.
So, let's start with the numbers.
Change the details to your own, then practise your version out loud.
How to practise it
- Write it firstPut what you want to say into short sentences. Write your opening, one line to move between sections, and a closing that repeats your main message.
- Say it out loud and record itSay it out loud, or to the camera. Notice where you stop in the first take; it should sound like talking, not reading.
- Listen back, then try againListen to your take and try the same script once more. A third take is usually much smoother than the first.
Common mistakes
Instead of Today I will talk you about…
say Today I'd like to talk to you about…
Talk to someone about something.
Instead of Reading the slides aloud.
say Say the point, then let the slide show the detail.
People read faster than you speak; tell them what it means.
Instead of Ending with “That's all.”
say So, the one thing to remember is … Thank you.
Finish on your message, then thank the audience.
Useful phrases
- In the next … minutes I'd like to …
- I'll start with …, then …
- Let's move on to …
- What this shows is …
- The one thing to remember is …