S3 PC Eng - Session 8 + 9

Semestre 3 PC (2017-2018)
Communication scientifique en Anglais

Session 8 + 9 (3h): Oral Presentation
I- Introduction to oral presentation

Presentation skills are absolutely essential in almost all work areas. In order to be effective and impressive in your
presentations you need to prepare the presentation before you actually deliver it. Every scientist should be able to prepare
and deliver a good oral presentation.
II- Preparing an oral presentation

II.1. Basic outline of a paper
A paper should follow the format of having an introduction, body and conclusion. It is generally admitted to use the same
format for a standard oral presentation.
Introduction:
The introduction must have the following elements:
- Start with an attention grabber: a short story, example, statistic, or historical context that introduces the paper topic. You
can give an overview of any issues involved with the subject.
- Tell what the overall paper will focus on (give your thesis).
- Briefly outline the main points in the paper (give your plan).
N.B: It is the typical introduction of a written paper. In an oral presentation, you should begin the presentation by
introducing the topic. For that purpose, you use a signpost.
Body:
- Clearly present the main points of the paper as listed in the introduction (one paragraph per idea).
- Give strong examples, details, and explanations to support each main point.
Conclusion:
- Restate your thesis from the introduction in different words.
- Briefly summarize each main point found in the body of the paper (avoid going over 2 sentences for each point).
- End with an appropriate, meaningful final sentence that ties the whole point of the paper together (may refer back to the
attention grabber).
II.2. Useful expressions and signposting specific to a presentation
a. Introduction:
Greeting:
 Good morning ladies and gentlemen / everyone…………..
Topic:
 I’d like to talk to you about………….

 I’d like to say a few words about…………….
 I’m here to make a presentation on…………
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 I’m going to present...
 What I am going to talk about is...
 This talk is about...
 My presentation deals with...
 This morning I’m going to be talking to you about / telling you about / showing you / reporting / taking a look
at…………….
Outline:
 I’ll be dealing with three areas.

 I’ve divided my talk into………….
 So I’ll start off by filling you in on the background to / bringing you up-to-date on / giving you an overview of/ making
a few observations about / outlining…………
 and then I’ll go on to discuss in more depth.../ then I am going to discuss... / highlight what I see as the main / make
detailed recommendations regarding………….
 I will conclude with……… /At last, I would like to.../ I will end my presentation with………………. / At the end of my
presentation I will invite you to ask me any questions that you may have.
b. Signposting:
Signposts help to guide the audience through a presentation.
Showing steps:
 First of all let’s look at / Firstly/ To start/ To start off…………………………

 Then / Regarding/ Concerning………………………..
 Next/ Now we move on to………………………..
 I want to spend some time on/ For the rest of the time...
 Lastly………………………
Introducing a visual:
 I’d like to show you……………………

 Have a look at this……………………..
 This graph shows / represents………….
 Here we can see………………………..
 On the next slide...
 Let’s look at this……………………….
 As you can see in this graph / table……
c. Conclusion:
Concluding:
 Finally, to sum up…………………….

 I’d like to sum up now………………..
 To conclude…………………………..
 In conclusion………………………..
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Closing:
 That concludes my presentation.

 “Thank you (very much) for your attention”
d. Inviting questions:
 Are there any questions?

 If there are any questions I’ll be glad to try to answer them.
 I’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have.
 Now we could have a discussion on…………
III- Criteria for a good presentation

III.1. The content
Because the attention span of the audience is very limited in an oral presentation, the presentation should stay focused on
the chosen topic. The ideas should be logical, well-chosen and well organised. The outline should be relatively easy to follow
and should ideally be explicitly provided at the beginning of the presentation.
III.2. Voice and delivery
Ensure you have a good pronunciation and intonation in order to be clearly understood. Make sure you can be heard by the
entire audience. Do not speak too softly. Soft speech signals that the speaker is uncertain. However, do not speak too loudly
either.
Speak neither too fast nor neither too slow. A good talk requires speech that is slower and clearer than in normal
conversation. Speakers who are nervous often speak too fast. Try using a deliberate pace in speaking. Listen to yourself as
you talk, and talk only as fast as you can comprehend it.
III.3. Body actions and motions
Head and eyes: Be very conscious of head and eye movements. Eye contact with the audience is essential. Do not look at
your notes or your Powerpoint slides excessively.
Body: Keep the front of your body facing the audience as much as possible.
Arms and hands: Use gestures to reinforce and complement your talk. When you are not using your hands and arms, let
them hang naturally. Do not stick your hands into trouser pockets. Do not use your hands to straighten your clothing, rub
your nose, explore your ears, smooth down your hair etc. Do not stand rigidly.
Feet: Your foot should be securely on the floor, each leg carrying an equal share of your body weight. Balance may be
shifted occasionally but only for body comfort. When you show slides, turn halfway toward the screen rather than turning
your back on the audience. Face the audience again after pointing out relevant parts of each slide.
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IV- Other tips: The most important Do’s and Don’ts for an oral presentation
Do
 Memorize the first few sentences

 Look at the audience as much as possible
 Simultaneously show on your slides the information you are providing verbally
 Explain everything that is on a slide
 Proofread your visuals for spelling
 Use spoken English
 Use simple words but technical terms
 Use visually attractive slides
 Use informative headings
 Be yourself-it is the most valuable asset of a speaker
 Pay attention to your body, arms, hands, and legs
 Dress appropriately
Don’t
 Do not look only at the screen

 Do not look only at your notes
 Do not read word for word from your Powerpoint slides or from your notes
 Do not utter sounds such as “ah” and “um”
 Do not speak in written English
 Do not fiddle with objects or play with your hair
 Do not use uninformative headings or text
 Do not skip over information on a slide
 Do not argue with a questioner in the audience
V- Preparing for the oral exam

During the final session, students have to make an individual short presentation on a topic of their choice.
It will be graded by the teacher following the evaluation table.
Criteria:
 3 to 5 minutes per student.
 A general and simple topic, not necessarily a scientific one.
 Respecting the structure of a paper (introduction, body, and conclusion).
 Using useful expressions, signposts and transitional devices.
 It is a presentation, not a reading session. The students can have a little paper with notes but they should not
just read it.
 They should respect the criteria for a good presentation which have been given in the lesson (voice, posture,
eye-contact, etc.).

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Semestre 3 PC (2017-2018)

Communication scientifique en Anglais

I- Introduction to oral presentation

II- Preparing an oral presentation

II.2. Useful expressions and signposting specific to a presentation

 Good morning ladies and gentlemen / everyone…………..

 I’d like to talk to you about………….

 I’ll be dealing with three areas.

Signposts help to guide the audience through a presentation.

 First of all let’s look at / Firstly/ To start/ To start off…………………………

 I’d like to show you……………………

 Finally, to sum up…………………….

 That concludes my presentation.

 Are there any questions?

III- Criteria for a good presentation

III.2. Voice and delivery

III.3. Body actions and motions

 Memorize the first few sentences

 Do not look only at the screen

V- Preparing for the oral exam

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