Page 18 - Business-6

Unit 8

Let’s run through the secrets of a good presentation.

James: Hi Don, I saw your presentation a while ago.
Don: Really? I know I was such a chip on your shoulder.
James: Don’t be discouraged. We did our part. You’ve prepared for that presentation. We’ll
discuss your presentation and determine how you can improve it.
Don: Thanks! I really need help.
James: First, you have to get the audience attention so they’ll want to listen to you more.
Don: I tried to do that with jokes.
James: I noticed that, but you want to get them more interested with your subject.
Don: Oh, how do I do that?
James: You can check on unusual facts relevant to your topic to act as teasers for your audience.
Don: Ah, I understand.
James: Next, avoid information overload. Choose only the main points for your presentation.
Don: If I do that, I might miss out important matters. I can’t include everything in my visual aids.
James: Then, you should be using cue cards. Take note of important topics.
Don: Okay, I’ll take note of that.
James: I know that you’ve mastered your topic so you don’t have to be nervous. Have a more
confident stance and maintain eye contact with the audience.
Don: I try to but I really feel nervous when I see all those people watching me.
James: I understand. However, trust me; these things get better with more practice.
Don: I really hope so.
James: It’ll be okay. Just get back on that horse and you’ll notice that you’ve improved in no
time.
Don: Thanks very much James. I’ll keep those tips in mind.

1. Is animation in slides important to make a knockout presentation?

Sample answer:
Appropriate animation can enhance facilitation and audience understanding. Over-
doing it can be distracting and can draw away from the main goal of the presentation.
A presenter should not depend on animation alone to capture the audience’s atten-
tion; the audience would prefer to see the intellectual side of the presentation.

2. What should we remember in terms of language when doing presenta-
tions?

Sample answer:

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