PRS: Style and Language

PRESENTATIONS: Style and Language

Your audience is more likely to pay attention to and believe what you say if you are confident. Even if you’re not confident, you can practice how to appear confident.

1. Standing

Stand straight, without leaning over, on both feet. Don’t shift your weight from one foot to another.

2. Voice

Project your voice in such a way so that you can be heard clearly from the back of the room. Do not shout! Don’t speak in a monotone. Practice varying the pitch and intensity of your voice so that people are not put to sleep when you speak.

3. Gestures

You can use your hands to emphasize your point. However, too much waving is distracting. Don’t fidget.

If you are standing you can let your arms hang loosely to the side of your body, or clasp them in front of you. If standing behind a lectern, rest your hands on the side of the lectern.

4. Disclaimers and apologies

Western audiences do not generally respond favourably to humbleness. Do not weaken and diminish what you are saying by apologizing for your English, or the lack of research. It merely draws attention to your flaws.

5. Vocal fillers (saying ‘um’, ‘er’, ‘you know’, giggling, etc.)

Don’t be afraid of silence. A pause usually seems much longer to you than to the audience.

6. Write to be heard

When writing your speech, use short sentences, preferably ones that can be said in one breath. Don’t use long or unnecessarily complicated words. They don’t make you seem clever; they’ll just bore or confuse the audience. E.g. “At the end of the day I feel extremely fatigued” is too long and complicated. Simpler: “At the end of the day I am very tired.”
7. Language

a) You should speak with simplicity and clarity. Use short words and short sentences.

b) Do not use jargon unless you are sure your audience can understand you.

c) Use active words instead of passive voice. Instead of: “2 million cars were sold by KIA last year,” it’s better to say: “KIA sold two million cars last year

d) Use the ‘signposting’ language (see the attached chart) as much as possible.