Organize the Body of Your Presentation in English So It's Easy to Follow

Summary

In this video lesson, Anne Marie from Speak Confident English discusses how to effectively organize and present information in English presentations. Focusing on the 'body' of the presentation, she introduces a simple strategy using the power of three: three key points, each supported by two or three details. She also provides tips on keeping the presentation easy to follow, such as avoiding jargon, keeping language simple, and using 'signposting' to guide the audience. The lesson is part of a series designed to help improve presentation skills in English.

Takeaways

• 😀 The classic presentation rule: Tell me what you're going to tell me, tell me, and tell me what you told me. This divides a presentation into three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion.
• 😀 The body of the presentation is the most important section, where you share the key points and details that support them.
• 😀 Use a simple structure in your presentation: 3 main points, each supported by 2-3 details, to ensure clarity and focus.
• 😀 Organize your information based on the type of presentation: chronological order, comparison and contrast, order of importance, or problem and solution.
• 😀 Avoid jargon unless your audience shares the same professional background; using technical language can confuse listeners outside your field.
• 😀 Keep your language simple and clear. Trying to use overly complex vocabulary and grammar can make your message harder to follow and lead to mistakes.
• 😀 Signposting is key to guiding your audience through the presentation. Use language to show what’s coming next, helping them follow your structure.
• 😀 Break down complex ideas into simple, digestible parts to keep your audience engaged and prevent confusion.
• 😀 Signposting helps maintain audience engagement by telling them where you're going and what to expect, whether transitioning topics or introducing examples.
• 😀 A good presentation strategy includes introducing key points clearly, breaking them down into manageable parts, and summarizing key ideas in the conclusion.
• 😀 For more presentation tips, check out other lessons in the series, focusing on preparation, body structure, and closing techniques for effective presentations.

Q & A

What are the three main parts of a presentation according to the rule mentioned in the script?

The three parts are the introduction (tell me what you're going to tell me), the body (tell me), and the conclusion (tell me what you told me).

What is typically included in the body of a presentation?

The body usually contains the main ideas or key points, along with supporting details such as stories, statistics, or relevant information.

How many key points does the speaker recommend including in a 10–20 minute presentation?

The speaker recommends including about three key points.

What are some ways to organize the information in the body of a presentation?

You can organize information chronologically, by comparison and contrast, by order of importance, or by cause and effect/problem and solution.

What is jargon and why should presenters avoid it?

Jargon is technical or profession-specific language. Presenters should avoid it because people outside the field may not understand it, making the presentation confusing.

When is it acceptable to use jargon in a presentation?

It is acceptable when presenting to an audience that shares the same professional background and therefore understands the terminology.

Why does the speaker recommend keeping language simple in presentations?

Keeping language simple reduces mistakes, prevents forgetting what to say, and helps the audience follow along more easily.

What is signposting in English presentations?

Signposting involves using language cues to show the audience what is coming next, such as starting a new topic, presenting an example, or referring back to something previously mentioned.

How does signposting help the audience?

It keeps the audience engaged, helps them anticipate the structure, and ensures they don’t get lost or confused during the presentation.

What examples of signposting does the speaker give from the lesson?

Examples include phrases like 'I want to break this into two parts' and language that introduces examples and explains transitions.

What is the overall goal of organizing and simplifying information in the body of a presentation?

The goal is to make the presentation easy to follow, engaging, and clear so the audience understands and remembers the key points.

How does the speaker suggest dealing with complex ideas in presentations?

Break complex ideas into smaller, easy-to-understand pieces using clear and simple language.