Oral Presentation

Give the audience a roadmap

Your audience cannot reread what you have just said.

This makes structure especially important when speaking.

At the beginning, make the purpose clear.

For example:

Today I will explain why fast fashion has become an environmental issue and discuss three possible ways to reduce its impact.

The audience now knows what to expect.

Organise the main part

Divide your presentation into a few clear sections.

Useful transitions include:

• First, let’s look at…
• The next issue is…
• This brings us to…
• Finally,…

These expressions help listeners understand when you move from one idea to another.

Explain instead of listing

Avoid turning your presentation into a spoken list.

Instead of:

Fast fashion uses water. It creates waste. It uses energy. Workers have poor conditions.

Develop each important point and explain why it matters.

Use visual aids carefully

Slides should support your presentation, not replace it.

Useful slides may contain:

• images
• diagrams
• key statistics
• short quotations
• a few keywords

Avoid filling slides with long paragraphs that you then read aloud.

Think about delivery

Your voice communicates meaning too.

Consider:

• volume
• pace
• pauses
• emphasis
• pronunciation
• variation

Speaking slightly more slowly than normal conversation can make complex information easier to understand.

Imagine a presentation about climate change.

Weak slide

Climate Change

A paragraph of 150 words explaining global temperatures, greenhouse gases and emissions.

The presenter reads the paragraph.

Better slide

Why is the planet warming?

Greenhouse gases trap heat

CO₂ levels have increased

Human activity is the main driver

A simple diagram illustrates the greenhouse effect.

The presenter explains each point in their own words.

The second version allows the audience to listen instead of choosing between reading the slide and listening to the speaker.

1. Decide what the audience should understand at the end.
2. Divide your presentation into three to five main sections.
3. Create a clear opening.
4. Add transitions between sections.
5. Use slides only where they improve understanding.
6. Practise aloud with a timer.
7. Check that you can explain your ideas without reading everything.
8. Prepare a clear final summary.

Weak: Slides contain complete paragraphs.

Better: Use keywords and visuals while explaining the details orally.

Weak: Speaking extremely quickly.

Better: Slow down and use pauses after important points.

Weak: Looking only at the screen.

Better: Look towards the audience regularly.

Weak: Spending three minutes on the first point and ten seconds on the final three.

Better: Practise with a timer and plan how long each section should take.

Which slide would normally work best during an oral presentation?

• A. A 250-word explanation that contains everything the speaker will say.
• B. Five short keywords and a relevant graph that the speaker explains.
• C. A screenshot of an entire webpage.
• D. Ten complete quotations in small text.

Answer: B. Visual aids should support the speaker and help the audience understand the information.

• Give the presentation a clear structure.
• Help the audience follow transitions between sections.
• Explain ideas instead of simply listing information.
• Use slides as support rather than a script.
• Practise aloud before presenting.
• Control pace, volume and emphasis.