Improve your reading skills

7. Read the talking of Pamela Pickford who trains business people to make presentations. What is the main point of each part? Write your answer in the space.

A. ………………………….

The key is preparation. So the first step is to find out who you’re going to be presenting to. Now you need to do this on two levels. Firstly, how much does

the audience know about the subject? Are they experts or do they know very little?

Secondly, are you presenting to a group from the same or from different countries? And adjust your language so that everybody can understand. If possible visit the room where you’ll be giving the presentation beforehand and organize it precisely to your own requirements. Check you are familiar with the equipment, re-arrange the seating and try to make yourself feel comfortable and relaxed in it.

So, once you know who you’re presenting to and where, you’re ready to start preparing what exactly you’re going to say.

2. …………………………………

The first stage is the opening – that all-important first few moments that can make or break the presentation. Then stage two, a brief introduction about the subject of your talk. Then three, the main body of the presentation. And four, the conclusion, which should include a summary of your talk and your final opinion or recommendations. Finally, the question and answer session.

3. ……………………………………..

Now the most important stage is the opening minute or so and I’d suggest that people memorize it exactly as if they were actors. Write down the opening with all the pauses and the stress clearly marked, and then record it, listen to it, and practise it again and again. This is so important because if it’s properly done, you not only get the audience’s attention immediately, but you feel confident during what can be the most frightening part of the presentation.

4. ………………………………………………

After that, you can start using your notes. So the first step is to write those notes. Write the whole presentation out just like an essay. Then select the key points. But read the full version over and over again until it’s imprinted in your mind. The next step is to buy some small white postcards and write no more than one or two of the key points or key phrases onto each one.

5. …………………………………………………..

Some visual aids, like overhead transparencies, are very important of course. But most people put far too much information on them. Don’t – because it’s difficult to read and it bores the audience. Limit yourself to a maximum of five points on each. Remember to turn off the projective when you’re not actually using it. And don’t talk to the machine or the transparency, which again lots of people do. Face the audience at all times.

6. ………………………………………………

Finally, remember that it’s not just what you say. How you say it is just as important. Quite unlike meetings and negotiations, a good presentation is very much a performance.

Check your vocabulary

Exercise 1. Translate the following word combinations into the Russian language.

1. to know the audience …………………………………………………………

2. to adjust the language………………………………………………………….

3. to give the presentation …………………………………………………….. …

4. to visit the room beforehand ………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………

5. to organize the room to your own requirements ……………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………

6. to be familiar with the equipment ……………………………………………..

7. make yourself feel comfortable ………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………….

8. all-important first few moments………………………………………………..

9. the question and answer session………………………………………………..

10. to include a summary of your talk……………………………………………

11 the main body of the presentation……………………………………………..

12. the opening minute or so…………………………………………………….

13. to talk to the machine…………………………………………………………

14. unlike meetings and negotiations……………………………………………..

15. to get the audience attention…………………………………………………..

Exercise 2. Form nouns from the following words:

1. meet – ………………………… 6. confident –…………………..… .

2. present –…………………....... 7. recommend –……………….…..

3. prepare – …………………….. 8. perform –……………………….

4. conclude –………………........ 9. equip –……………………….…

5. negotiate – ……………………. 10. important –…………………..…

Exercise 3. Match words from each box to form word partnership.

1)opening a) presentation

2) answer b) body

3) write c) minute

4) know d) confident

5) feel e) the audience

6) main f) session

7) make g) notes

Check your understanding

Exercise 1. Read the text again and find answers to these questions

1.How could you improve your presentation?

2. Should you know your audience? Why? Why not?

3. Why is it necessary to know what country your listeners are from?

4. How many parts are there in a presentation? What are they?

5. Which part do you thing is the most important?

6 Why is the opening minute very important?

7. How much information should be put on overhead transparencies?

8.Why is it important to write down the opening?

9. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. What is meant by proper

preparation?

Exercise 2.

Read the text again. Which of the points below does Pamela Pickford make?

1……… When preparing a presentation, try to find out what your audience

already knows.

2………. Everyone in your group should be at the same level.

3………. Visit the room in which you are presenting before you make the

presentation.

4 ……… The first stage of your presentation is when you start with your

questions.

5……….. If you memorize the introduction, you will be more confident when

making a presentation.

6……….. The whole text of your presentation should be written on postcards.

7………. If you use an overhead projector, you should remember to turn it off

when you don’t need it.

8………. Remember that the content of the presentation is much more important

than your presenting style.