English for Presentations

English for
Presentations
EXPRESS

SERIES

Marion Grussendorf

OXFORD

VNIV~RSITY rRESS


Contents
PAGE

UNIT TITLE

s

U

Let's get started

TOPICS

USEFUL PHRASES

Wet(Omlng yotir audience

Opening a presentation
Structuring a presentation
Organizational details (talking about
timing, handouts. questions)
Getting the audience's attention

Introducing yourself and

the topic
DeaUng with nervousness

15

t:J

23

t:J My next

Today's topi c
Is •••

slide
shows ...

32

ltJ As you cen

42

l::J To sum up ...

see from this
c,eph ...

Bodylansuage
Tips on presenUng to an
Engtlsh·spHklng audience

Signposting (phrases to o,sanize
your presentation)
Talking about difficult issues
Refening to other points
Adding Ideas

Presentation tools
Usin,g approxJmate numbers

Introducing visuals
Saying numbers

Cre.1tin1 effectivevisuals

The rule ofsix

Presenting •lsuals effecUvely

Emphasizing Important points
Making contrasts and describing

results

Types of •lsuals
Describing graphs and charts
Interpreting •lsuals
Tips for describing trtnds

Talking about visuals
Talking about trends (verb tenses.
adjectives and adverbs)

Concluding a presentation
Strategies for a good

Summarizing the main points
Making recommendations

conduslon

Phrases for effective concluslons

Using your voice effectively (stressing
words. making pauses)

so

l:.J

PAGE

APP£NOtX

s8

Test yourself!
Answer key

6o
66

Any questions?

Handling the quesUon and

answer session

Tranacf'lpts

70

A-Z WOfd lis.t

73

Presentationtrainer

78

UMfuJ ph.,....

and voeabul.llry

Dealing with questions
Asking polite questions
Anticipating questions
Dealing with interruptions
Reforming questions


5
6

UHll 1

Let'S get staned

Let's get started

fif

Work with a partner. Ask the questions below and make a note of the answers.
Then tell the group what you found out and dlscuss,

j;jjj,f

O How often do you give

presentations In your job?

@

Who do you normally presentto?

(Colloogues, customers, oUier
firms, etc.)

@)

When was the last Ume you gave

a presentation in English?
Was it a success? IIyes, why?
IInot, why not? Explain your

answer.

O How do you feel about presenting
in a foreign language?

@ Think of an excellent (or
terrible) presentation Uint you
havo attended. What made It
good
(or bad)?

.....
:;• •

1

Listen to the opening sentences of the three presentatlonsand

Presenter's name

Pruent1tlon
s

Presenter's position/function
Topic of presentation
Who is the presentation for?

Which presentations are formal and which less formal?

complete the table •

Prt:senttllon 2


....f:{) 2

Listen to the openings again and complete the sentences.
-tallon '

-------, let me thank you all for beinghere today.
2 let me-------

myself. My name is ..•

3 I'm here today to
4 My talk is

the different parts we supply.

our new semi-automatic shelving system.
relevant to those of you who

5 I'm happy that so manyof you could

for

today at such short

6 As you can see on the-------. our-------

today is

project documentation.
for all of us who are directly
7 This is extremely ----in international projectmanagement. right?

8 I'm
that you all have very tight-------, so I appreciate you
taking the time to come here today.
9 As you

know, my name is ..•. I'm the new

manager

here at Weston Ltd.
10

3

Today's topic will be very important for you as
your help to evaluate and selectcandidates for training.

Put the sentences from above In the
correct category (1-d).
a saying what the topic is:
b welcoming the audience:
c saying who you are: 2
d saying why the topic ls relevant for
the
audience:
Now put a-d In the orderyou would
use to start a presentation.

since


8

l/NIT 1

UNIT 1

L.,, 1•1 s••ned

4

ters

gtt st.trttd

Match these lus formal phr.ises with the more formal phrases In the table.
What I want to do today is ...

I know you are all very busy ...

As you know, I'm ...

OK. shall we get started?
It's good to see you all here.
Hi, everyone.
Today I'm going to talk about ...
In my talk I'll lell you about ...

--1

Less fonn1I

Today I would like to ...

2

let me just start by introducing myself. My name Is ...

J

~·s a pleasure to welcome you today.

4

In my presentation I would like to report on ...

s

The topic of today's presentation is...

6

I suggest that we begin now.

7

I'm aware that you all have very tight schedules ...

8

Good afternoon. ladies and gentlemen.

5

Now pr.ictlse the opening of a presentation. Use phrases from the box and follow the WISE
ftowch.irt.
Welcome
audience

Introduce
yourself

Say what the
topic is

Explain why audience
will be interested

OPENING lo. PRESENTATION

Welcoming tl1e audience
Good morning/afternoon. ladies and gentlemen.
Hello/Hi, everyone.
First of all, let me thank you all for coming here
today.
I'm happy/delighted that so many or you could
make It today.
ln1rod1 cini. yo, .ett
Let me Introduce myseir. I'm Oave Elwood from .
For those of you who don't know me. my name's .
As you probably know. I'm the new HR manager.
I'm head or logistics here at Air Spares.
I'm here In my function as the Head of Controlling.

Saying what your topic Is
As you can see on the screen, our topic today is
••. Today's topic Is ...
What I'd like 10 present lo you today is
... The subject or my presentation is ...
Explaining why your topic Is relevant for your
audience

My talk Is particularly relevant 10 those or
you/us who ...
Today's topic Is or particular interest to those or
you/us who ...
My /The topic is very important for you because
... By the end or this talk you will be famlllar with
...

I

Rememberto us• words Ilk@ wt. us, and our to
• highlight common lntere\t,

7


STRUCTURING A PRCS(NTATION

(1)

Most formal - and many inrormal- presentations have three main parts and follow this simple formula:
I Tell the audience what you are going to sayl • Introduction
2 Say it!
• Main part
3 Tell them what you s.iidl
• Conclusion
There are several ways you can tell the audience what you are going 10 say.
would Ilk,+ inffnidve
wlfl + lnflnltive
Today I'd like to tellyou about our new plans.

I'll begin by e,plainlng the function.
This momlng I'd like to bring you up to dote
t'II start aff by reviewing our
on
progress. After that, I'll move on to
our department.
my next point.
going to + infinidve
I'mgoing ta talk to you today about new
developments In the R 8 D Department.
This a{temoon I'm going ta bereportlngon
the

w/11 be+ verb ·Ing
I'll be ta/king aballt our guide/Ines forInternet
use. During the nexr hour we'll be looklng at the
advantages of this system.

_J

new division.

6

Complete sentences1-8 with the correct form of the verband a sentenceending from below.

you on the proposedtraining project

you up to date on SEKO's investment plans
you how the database works

vou

iR

9"r,e~·ie
·· ef Otir p1ese11t 111a1ket POSltlon
Ii

at business opportunities in
Asia

on our financial targets for the division

by telling you about what Jane's group is working on
about EU lax reform
t

give

Today I'd like to give you an overview of our proiunt market poeltlan.

2

show

I'll be •how,n

3 talk

During the next two hourswe'll be

4 bring

------------------ I'd like

5 report
7 look

to------------------------This afternoon I'm going to
Today I'd like 10

8 begin

This morningwe'll be----------------------

6 update

_

Today1·11 -------------------------


UNIT 1

STRUCTURING A PRESENTATION

Lei's 1•t M•n•d

9

(2)

The purpose or the introduction is not only to tell the audience who you are, what the talk is about, and why it is relevant to them:
you also want to tell the audience (brieOy) how the talk Is structured. Here are some useful phrases to talk about the structure.
rv« dlvfdN my presentation Into three (main) parts: x, y. and 1.
In my presentarlon I'll focus on rhree major Issues.
The most common way to structure
first (ofa/Q, I'll~ looking or ... , second .... and third
• a presentation Is to hav• thrtt

I

... I'll ~gin I start off by up/aining ... Tl!
en/Ntxt/A~trthat, I'll go on to ...
finally, I'll offer some solutions.

]

main parts, and thtn subdivldt
them Into (three) smaller sections.

Complete the sentences with the words In the box.

after • all • areas • divided • finally • start

• then • third

rll be talking to you today about the after-sales
service plans we offer. I'll

• by
describing the various packages in detail.
------'
I'll go on to show you some
case studies.
i. I'll discuss how
you can choose the best plan to meet your
customers' needs.

3

8

2

I've
• my talk into three
main parts. First or
s,
1"11 tell you something about the history of our
company.
6 that I'll describe
how the company is structured and finally, I'll
give you some details about our range of
products and services,

I'd like to update you on what we've been working on over the
last year. I'll focus on three main
7: first,
our joint venture in Asia: second, the new plant in Charleston.

And
8, our redevelopment project.

Complete the sentences with the prepositions In the box.
about • at • for • into • or • on • to • with

s

t

Thank you

2

I've divided my presentation----

3

First or all, I'll give you an overview

4

First. we'll be looking

In the first part of my presentation
6
Point one deals

7 Secondly, I'll talk---8 Arter that I'll move on

coming all this way.
three parts.
our financial situation.

the company's sales In the last two quarters.
I'll focus

the current project status.

APG's new regulations for Internet
use.
our investment in office technology.
the next point.


10

UNIT 1

•' 9

lot\, ••siantd

The project manaaer of I construction companyIs 1Mna a presentation to his colle.aues. Put

the

'

.enttnces In the rlaht order. Then listen and check.

a This morning I'd like to update
you on the current status of
work at the construction site.
The information I give you today
should help you with planning
your next steps.
b

For those of you who don't
know me, my name is Gordon
Selfridge. Let me just write
that down for you. OK. I'm the
project manager in charge of the
Bak Tower building project in
Oubai.

c

I've divided my presentation into three parts.

d Hello, everyone.
e Then I'll move on to the problems we're facing with our local suppliers.
First of alt, let me thank you for coming here today. I'm aware that you're all busy preparing
for the annual meeting this week, so I really appreciate you taking the time to be here.
g

I'll start off by showing you some photos of the building site and discussing the progress
we've made since January.

h

Mt talk should take about 30 minutes. Please feel free to interrupt me at any time
with questions.
I'll end with some ideas for reducing labour costs that we've been looking into.
Oh, and don't worry about taking notes. I'll be handing out copies of the PowerPoint slides.

Now put these points in the order In which Gordon mentions them.
0

Kp«"te o"' ,..n-e....t

G

st..,tw
E

c

30 mi>Upresw..,ti4>1.

lt""'4o..t

s«pplius

efter

presW'ltiOl'I,
pro3res1 "'"de si""'-

; ... YlJ.114 ry

problem.r with lo,"l

H

qitestiol'IJ ditri"!9
prese....t"tio"' OK..
three

"'"j"' pt11rt.s


UNIT 1

10

Look 1g1ln

L••~ &•I start•d

at these sentences from the presentation and replace the hlghllshled words

with words or phr1ses from the box.
after that • .begiTf • I'm • realize • responsible for • sections • turn
1

_

I'll start off by showing you ... -'1-.'.1.b1..•. 9.._l'".t.n,.y....._..•o.hwln_...yg.._uo _•.•_

2

I've divided my presentation into three parts.

3

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Gordon Smith. ----------

4 Then I'll move on to the problems ...

s I'm the project manager in charge of our Dubai building project. -----------

6 I'm aware that you're all busy preparing for the annual meeting ... ------------

ORGANIZATION

The final part of the introduction deals with the organization or the talk: how tong it will last,
whether there will be handouts. and how questions will be handled.
nming
My presentation will take about 20 minutes.
It should take about 30 minutes to cover these issues.
Handouts
Does everybody have a handout/brochure/report? Please take one, and pass them on.
Don't worry about taking notes. I've put all the important statistics on a handout for
you. I'll be handing out copies of the PowerPoint slides at the end or my talk.
I'll email the PowerPoint presentation to you.
Questions
There will be time ror questions after my presentation.
If you have any questions. reel free to interrupt me at any

time. Feel free to ask questions at any time during my talk.

11

Match the two p1rts to make typical sentences from the Introduction.
Forthose or you who don't know me,\
Feet rree to
This won't take more
I'll be passing out

a
b
c
d

to take notes. Everything is on the handout.
about 10 minutes.
I'm Bob Kay In charge of the software
division.
ask questions at any time.

5 This part of the presentation will take
6 I'll start off by giving you
7 There's no need
8 There will be time

e

for questions after my talk.
an overview of our product range.

handouts In a rew minutes.
than 20 minutes of your time.

I

2
3
4

t

g
h

U


12

UNIT 1

ltl'\ lfl Slarted

-'.:..t.i

a a rhetorical question?
b an interesting fact?

c

an anecdote?

d a problem to think about?

Listen again and complete the

sentences •
--------. I was sitting in the waiting room at the dentist's the other day when I
something very interesting in one of the -----you worl
2

-----would you

3 --------

that was lying there.

company and were

for making people in your company aware of health and safety issues. How
?
that 1he number of possible ways of playing the firs! four moves per side

in a game of chess is ... ?
4

So, let me start by---------·

Why should we introduce a double quality

check here at Auto Spares & Parts ... ? Well, I'm here today to --------

GETTING THE AUDIENCE'S ATTENTION

Elq)erts say that the first few minutes of a presentation arc the most important. If you are able to get
the audience's anenlion quickly, they will be interested In what you have 10 say. Here are a few
techniques you can use to start your talk.
Ten !hem a story or anecdote
Ask a rhetorical question
I remember when I anended a meeting In Paris ••••
Is market research Important for brand
At a conference in Madrid, I was once asked the
development?
following question: _
Do we really need quality assurance?
Give them a problem to think about
Start with an Interesting fact
Suppose you wanted to set up a new call
According to an article I read recently. central banks
centre. How would you go about it?
are now buying euros instead of
Imagine you had lo reorganize the sales
dollars.
department. What would be your first step?
Did you know that fast rood consumption has
increased by 600% in Europe since
2002?

1J

Match Items from the thrff columns to make attentlon-gr1bbin1openin~s.
I

Did you know that

that can't Is a four·lener word.

Who would you tell first?

2

I read in an anlcle
somewhere

cempete with the Chinese?

by elimlnat,ng one olive from each
salad served in first-class?

we can!

3 Imagine

American Airlines saved
$40.000 In 1987

or course

4 Can we really

you won a million euros.

I tend to agree with that!

What presentation topics could you use each of the openings above for7 Choose one of the
openings and use It to practise the introduction of

a talk.


UNIT 1

14

L
Put the words In the right ord r to make sentences with expressions from this unit.
1

2

shall

mv

OK get we started
today subject presentation

3 will presentation

15

of satisfaction is the customer

thirty my about take minutes

4

issues on three focus I'll

5

by looking

6

that did know popular China car is this very in you

of status will the current project we the start at

Put the notes In the coned order, then prepare two openings of I presentation: a formal one
and a less formal one. Use the checklist for Introductions below If you need help.

r

8

~

U) M-il'IJ,(tU

proiK,t ''""114.JU.
FIT-HU1lthuire

r
c

G

Good morning,

rtleV'111tfor selcs
steff

ladies and gentlemen.

~11~

0

proiK,ts

,,,.,
~

pr-omotio114/ viiec

tkru parts

,.

"

,.

>tew well>teSs prot{~

r

-EJ

ql(Utio11.1

CHECKLIST

llft

eni

wel,oM.e, eec.

FOR INTRODUCTIONS

./

1

Welcome the audience .

./

2

Introduce yourself (name, position/function) .

./

3

State your topic .

./

4

Explain why your topic Is important for the audience •

./

s

Outline the structure of your talk .

./

6

./

'What comes when?' say when you'll be dealing with each
7 point.
Let the audience know how yotfre organizing the presentation
(handouts, questions, etc.).

16

Now It's your turn. Think of a talk
prepare your Introduction. Try

you

have given or would like to give and use the checklist to

to use phrases from this unit.

13


14

UNIT 1

[l)i)i4'ii

ters 1.i .io~cd

Rud this utlcle from a website on business questions which follow.

Dealing with nervousness
Tne American author Mori Twoin ooce put it like /his: 7here ore two type, of people: /hose /hot ore
"""'°"'
and /hose lhot ore liars.' So, ooce you accept /hot (almost} everybody who g~ a presen·
lotion
just - whelhor formal or informal, long or short, lo slrongers or oo/1«,gues- i, """'°"', /hen you
need lo find ways lo dealwi/h ,.,..,.,.,,,..,. and ffV8n loom how lo use it lo yocx od.ontoge.
Lor, first look at woys IO deal w,th and reduce nervousness.
Prepare well. 'Foiling IO ppresentation. Noth,ng will relox you more than knowing exoctly what you wonl IO soy ond
having proctised saying ii. Make sure you proclise your talk until you feel al
home wilh it- then you con coocenlrale on other things.
2 Learn to relax. Doing stretching or breathing exercise~
before your folk con help you IO reduce nervousness.
,
One example: before you, p~
comfortably with your bock straight. Breathe in
slowly, hold your breath for abovt five seconds, then ~
slowly exhale. You con relax your facial muscles by
opening your eyes and mouth wide. men closing
them tightly.

.-m.

3 Check out the
Make yourself familiar
with the ploce where you will be speaking. Arrive
early, walk around the room, and make sure
everything you need for your tolk is there.

Practise using any equipment (e.g. microphone,
video projector, OHP} you pion IO worl< with.
4 Know your oudienIt will be easier to $peak IO people who ore not complete strangers.
5 Concentrate on the message. Try lo focus on the message and your audience - not on your
own fears.

6 Visualize success. lmogone yourself speaking to your audience on a loud ond clear voice.
Then visualize the audience opploud,ng loudly 011he end of your talk as you smile
Use the steps above to reduce nervousness, but also remember that being nervous isn't all bod.
Many experienced presenters soy that you con also use your nervousness IO give you thot exlro
energy thot you need to give a good perlormonce.

What other tips can you think of for dealing with nervousness?


Today's topic is .••

Do this quiz about body language. Sometimes morethan one answer Is possible.

tif i;iiJ;I

1

.
"

Ho'" .Jiould
,ou ,tand't
• Arms

crossed
oncbesr. b
S1rJ1rh1 but
rd.a,ed
c
Knct"\
unk,cJ.n
l

.a
lfolJ.aptnotc.1rJ,1
n)Ourh.1nd\..
b
\
\
,
i
l
l
.

2

\
\hat,hould,ou
do"ilh

~
o
or

h
a
n
d,
·!
•

b
.
1
,
l
.
;
n
J

Put

h.tnd) on
h1f'I'
b Put one hand m J pocket
c lti;.ttp h,1nJ\ b) )QUI' ,.Jc

3

llo" can ,out1l1pha.,t.1t '4..lllltlhlng'.'
Po1n1 fin,n ;111hc 11uJ1<1"11.c
b \IMccx lcJn Jorward 10 ,ht;v.
~n,c1h1ng

•

th.11

"
t
m
p
o
r
t
.
J
n
l
c

u~.a JX.llntcr todr11...,

f
t
'
m
:
h
c
l
o
o

k
.
J
t

auennon 1-0

1mf".,
.rt-'nl

1
h
c

l.a..1'~ \\ hjt \hc,uld ",u do "ht·n
n
c
n
1
M
J
.

~OUrttl

n
1
r
i
c

b
a
n
o


r
audicn«)
Itu
w ,
hfH1
ld )
OU
kee
p ej
e
con
tact
"
i
t
h

S

b Ch()()SC)OH~lnd1\1dut1l1and loolat them
ii~ often a, l)0.!>)1bk.
c Spread .d1c:1111on around the audseece

6 llon

u

ro\l ..,hould
About 2(1' .. more
,lilwl) th.,n nonn.,I

)OU

enth
u,h,..
,n·:
,1 O)" rn1,1n1
vosce Incl b
H)" " ..",nf arm

,pc.1k?

...
c 0) ,n.alang hi.Ind or

a,

ma
b Ju)I a\ (,tSI
nonnal convercmon

arm

JC''l1Ur~ for
1mf'l(lnJn1

c r,01cr th,111 u1 a normal
.:o,,\cr"111on.

7

p
o
m
t
c

Ito" ,hould ,ou t·,pn'°',

t
h
e
a
u
r
l
i
~
n
(
'
r
'
?
a

M
a
k
c
c
)
'
C
C
.
.
"
0
1
1
1
,
t
c
..
1
w
i
t
h
e
a
c
h
1

n
d
1
,
t
d
u
o
i
l
crt
cu

-

DIScultureInfluence your body language during a presentation?

~

1

llsten to theH ucerpts fromlour different presentations. Write the numberof

the presentation
next to the topic.
short·time
work

insurancema

rket

handbooks
regulations

Nowdecide in which preHntatlon(s) the presenter is:
• informing the audienceabout something:
• suggestingsome solutions to a problem:

_
_

transport


16

U~IT2

.....,..,,

lodoy\

2

lop,< is -

Listen again to how the presenters talk about the purpose of their talks. Completethe

sentences.

I

What
today is to make some suggestions on how
handbooks more user-friendly.

we can make our

2 The
of my talk is to provide you with information on
the-------- in the insurance market in the last few months.
3 What'-----hours.

this morning is to show you how we could reorganize our working

4 The
is to bring you up to date with the latest changeswhich will be
introduced on January 1.

3

Usethe notes to write sentenceswhich can be usedto stale the purpose of a
presentation. (Put In prepositions and other words where necessary.)
I

purpose of talk today/update you/new developments/R&D

2

what I want to do/present alternatives/existing booking procedures

3 my aim/show/how cut costs/IT support
4 objective or presentation/give overview/British job market

s

our goal/determine/sales targets/next year

6 here today/report/company's investment plans

-..
, -,

.

4

An expert is talking about the Traffic Support Centre(TSC)In her city. Listen to the talk and
put the points below In the order she mentions them.
a what the TSC does (main activities)
b how traffic data is
collected c why the TS( was
started
d how motorists benefit from the system
e how traffic information is given to motorists


._T
'O
••

Now listen to the presentation again and complete the
sentences.

OK,
1
the background
and the reason we
developed the
programme.
Any
questions?
OK. So,
' to the next
point and
take a closer
look at the
Traffic
Support
Centre itself.
3, the TSC
was set up
in

2001

to

help traffic
flow more

smoothly.
and
basically to
make the
lives of
motorists
easier. In
this part of
my
presentation
4

you about

the centre's
activities,
how we
work exactly
and how
motorists
benefit from
our services.
S
o
.


sa

data from a number of different sources. we analyse them

media.

brief

and

Let me

ove

then

show

view

we

you a

of

infor

few

the

m

examples

TSC'

the

of how

s

media

this

activ

. the

works.

itie

police

(...)

Our

. or

main

other

activ

author

--------'
collecting data.

ities
are
to
colle
ct,
ana
yse,
and
com
mun
icat
e
traff
ic

ities,

8

and -

to the next

last

issue. How

but

do we

not
least
- the
motor
ists.
(...)
This now
leads us
to

communicat
e
information
to
motorists?
We do this
in a

number of
ways: by
using

6. How

electronic

mati

does the

road signs,

on.

TSC collect

the Internet

Aft

data?

and radio,

r

Traffic-

and state-

coll

monitoring

info

ect
ng
traff
ic

equipment
has
been installed across the main traffic routes. which helps
us

of· the-art
telephone
technology.
(...)

gather real-time information on traffic speed

Let

and traffic now. Additionally, we use variable

me

traffic sensors and cameras. We also work

now

together with other partners and authorities,

come

for example the police, traffic officers. and the

back


to
9.

The
TS
wan
ts
to
mak
e
the
lives
of
mot
orist
s

easi
er.
So,
in
wh
at
way
s
doe
s
the
mot
ori
t
ben
efit
We
, ...
first
thro
ug
real
·tim
e
info
rma
tion
ab

18

UHIT 2

5

Today\ top,c is -

'Signposting' phrues 1re used to help guide the audience through a presentatlen.
Complete this boxof useful phraseswith highlighted phrases fromthe presentation in enrdse +
SIGNPOSTING

Saying what is coming
1
In this part of my preserriation. I'd like to

tefl you al,out .. ,

2

Moving on to the next point
This leads directly to the next part of my talk.
)

4

5
lndiating th• end of• section
This brings me to the end or my second point.

6
7
Rtftnlng back

As I mentioned before. -·
8
ters 10 back 10 what we were discussing earlier.
9
Summarizing a point
I'd like to sum up the main points.
let me brieffy summarize what rve said so far.

6

Mike 'signpost' sentences using elements from each column.
l

Before I move on to my
next point,

come back to

next question.

2

This brings

the issue

point, which is price.

3 This leads

let me go

this question later.

4 Let's now turn to

we were discussing

our new sales strategies.

5 As I mentioned

to the next

a brief overview of our activities.

6 I'd like to

before, I'd like to give you

earlier.

7 Let's go back to what

us directly to my

through the main issues once
more.

8 As I said earlier,

I'll be focusing on

of customer service.


UNIT 2

7

t

let me now summarize the

2

We wilt be

3

In

• inform • leads • main points

s

our sales targets today.

my talk I'll

you about new marketing techniques.
what l'Ve said so far.

I think we have

everything

6 OK, that's all I

for today.

to say about time management.

7 This

directly to my second point.

8 let's go

to what I said at the beginning of my presentation.

Write the sentences using expressions with

EXPRESSIONS

os

and the information In the notes. Add missing words
where necessary
I

we/no budget for new software/this year (I mentioned
this before)
A

2

mt nc.. ned Hfore.

• sum up • wanted

_

4 Before I move on, let me just

~l

WITH

AS

As you all know, ...
As I've already esplalned ....
As I mentioned before/eartier ....
As I pointed out ln the firs! section ....
As you can see....

havttno i1udg.-tfor new •oftwsrtJ thl• yt1ar.

Tony Dale/new marketing manager/print

3 can'c operate from local airport/because

media (you all know this already)
no permission (I said this at the beginning of my talk)

4 choose between two options (I explained this ten minutes ago)

s

• 9

IOPot Is -

Complete the sentences with words from the box.
back • covered • discussing

8

Tollan

sales have increased/ 10% since beginning

of year (you can see this on the slide)

A managerls updating her group on some problems they'Ve been having

with one of the company's product lines. listen to this excerpt from her
informal presentation and say whether the following sentences are true or
false. Correct the false sentences.
1

The company is having problems with their new men's cosmetic products.

2

The problems are in three areas: supply, distribution,

and production.

3 She identifies two problems in the area of supply: the plastic bottle
supplier can't deliver the quantity they need and the quality of the
bottles is poor.
4 They have had to return around 14% of the bottles.
They have to take care of the supply problem soon or they'll have trouble

s

with Father's Day sales.

19


20

UNIT 2

.,

':. ,'

10

Today's 1opk Is -

Completethese sentencesfrom the presentation with the corred form of verbs from the
box• Thenlisten again to check.
accept • cope • deal • have • identify • prevent • run • solve

As you probably know. we
_
currently
' difficulties
with our new men's cosmetic line.

I'd like to quickly
, the problems
and then make some suggestions on how

we
can

l with the consequences.

We"ve been trying to
• with these
problems - the delays. the poor quality- all along,

but so far we"ve not been able to find ways to
s them from happening again.

lt"s clear we can no longer continue
to
• these
conditions.

II we
r (not) our supply
problems within the next two weeks, we
• into serious trouble
with respect to our Christmas business.

TALKING AIOUT (OIFFICULT) ISSUES

I 1h,nk we first need to ldenUfy the problem.
Of course we'll have to clarify a rew points before we stan,
We will have to dul with the problem of increasing prices.
How shall we cope with unfair business practices?
The question is: why don't we tackle the distribution problems?
If we don"t solve this problem now, we'll get Into serious trouble
soon. We will have to take care of this problem now.
RErERRING TO OTHER POINTS

I'd like to mention some critical points In connection with/concerning payment.
There are a rew problems regarding the quality.
With respect/regard to prices. we need more details.
Auording to the survey, our customers are unhappy with this product.
ADDING IDEAS

In addition to this, I'd like to say that our IT business is going very well.
Moreover/Furthermore. there are other interesting tacts we should take a look
at. As well as that. we can offer e.cellent conditions.
Apart from being too expensive. this model is also too big.
To increase sales we need a new strategy plus more
people.


UNIT 2

11

Toda"{SlOpi(

Is -

21

Choosethe correct verb to fit the sentence.
1

How are we going to so/ve/deol/tock/ewith delivery problems?

2

I don't think we can

cope/tackle/toke core with fewer people.

3 We think it's important to identify/deal/copethe problems now.

toke core/deal/tackle of our business clients?
We have been trying to cope/solve/tokecore the software problem.

4 Who will

s

6 Before we go on, let's identify/clarify/solvethis question.

12

Complete the sentenceswith the words from the box.
according to • apan from • concerns • moreover • regarding • with regard
1

I'll give you an overview of some figures

to car exports.

2

------, I'd like to tell you something about the new software.

3 let's now turn to the next question which ------

a few spelling mistakes, the new brochure is very good.

4

s

let me give you some details------

our Chinese factory.

the handbook, the scanner is user-Iriendlj.

6 ------

13

customer service.

Put the words In the right order to make sentenceswith expressions from this unit.
move now to point next let's on the
all topic as today is you know our globalization
3 inform is to aim about my latest you the developments
4 be additionally figures discussing most will we the Important
s said brief give I you earlier a I'll as overview
6 study customers according with this it satisfied to our are
I

2

14

It'syour tum now. Preparethe main part of a presentation using phrases from this unit.
Usethe checklist to help.

CHECKLIST

.I
.I
.I
.I

the main part.

FOR THE MAIN PART OF A PRESENTATION

3 Signal the beginning of each part.

.I
.I
.I

4 Talk about your topic.

./ 8

1

Briefly state your topic again .

2

Explain your objective(s).

5 Signal the end of each part.

6 Highlight the main points.
7 Outline the main ideas in bullet-point form.
Tell listeners you've reached the end of


22

UNIT 2

!•)•04•0

lodr(s

lop,< is -

lnfomedla, a US telecommunications company, expects all employees to give presentations In
English. Read this text from the newsletter of an lnfomedla subsidiary In Asia and discuss the
questions which follow.

))),-'lj

<>«

~

~

As you all know, INFOMEDIAhas been
able to establish some impo,ta ,t r.w

business contacts with par1nars in the us
this year. This also ..-,s
that the Med for
English in meetings and Pf I I I Ilalio, IS
has i o a as II d. That's why we have asked
our American colea111 ie AJed Hughes

tan
our Miami office to share a fewtips with
us.

Repeating new Information
Clear and simple structure
Remember that your audience will benefit
most from a very clear and log.ical
structure.
0on, overload the aud,ence and try to
use simple language.

Your Introduction
Some expens say this Is the most important
part of your presentation. In the first few
minutes you can ger your audience·s
attention, build rapport, and creete a positive
Impression.

Topic and objective
Cleany say what the topic and objective (or
purpose) of your talk is. Repeat the topic and
objective at some later time.

Signposting
Let the audience know al all limes what you
want lo do and how you want lo do ii. This
method is common in the American
business WO
Always repeat new details. This helps
your audience to remember them and
ensures optimal flow of information.

Summarizing points
Al the end of each section summarize
the main facts to make sure everybody
is following.

Interaction with the audience
American audiences expect direct interaclioo.
So treat them as individuals; show them that
you care about their individual needs.

Presenter's role
The presenter is often considered as import·
ant as his or her topic, and the presenter's
role is to make sure the presentation - even
or,e
on a dry topic-is interesting and
entertaining. To achieve this goal American
presenters
often use their personalities more and tend to

be more enthusiastic than people from
many other parts of the world.

lfdi-lJ.IUHI
Which of these tips do you find most useful? Can you add any other tips?
Have you ever presented to an American audience? How different are American audiences from
those in your own country?


23

My next slide shows...

Do you know the English names of these media and tools used in presentations?

·iO,IOif

I

)

4

s

6

2

10

When, If ever, do you use the above me,dla and tools In presentations? Which
do you find the most effective? Why?

,Y,, 1

••

Listen to the three eatruts

from presentations
1

2

3
R
i
p

c
h
a

and tick (.f) the media used •