UNIT 2: INTRODUCTION
Unit Objectives
In this unit the learner will:
- Be familiar with the checklist acronym "WISE OWL".
- Be able to present the topic and the organization of the presentation in an organized way.
Let's start organized!
According to the book "Oxford English for Presentations"[1], when you open a presentation there are some things you must never forget to do.
REMEMBER "WISE OWL"
- Welcome the audience = W
First of all, let me thank you all for coming here today.
I'm delighted that so many of you could make it today.
- Introduce yourself = I
Let me introduce myself. I'm...
For those of you who don't know me, my name's...
As you probably know, I'm the new HR manager...
- Say what your topic is = S
As you can see on the screen, our topic today is...
Today's topic is...
What I'd like to present to you today is...
The subject of my presentation is...
- Explain why your topic is relevant for your audience = E
My talk is particularly relevant to those of you/us who...
My/The topic is very important for you because...
By the end of this talk you will be familiar with...
TIP: You should use words like "we", "us" and "our" to highlight common interest and make the audience feel included!
In addition, it is very important to tell the audience briefly how the presentation is organized. The final part of the introduction specifies the duration of the talk, if there will be handouts, and how questions will be handled. You can let the audience know if there will be time for questions at the end of the presentation or if they can ask questions at any time. It is worth highlighting that to get the audience's attention during the first few minutes of the presentation it is crucial to make them interested in what you have to say.
- Outline the structure of your talk = O
I've divided my presentation into three (main) parts: x, y, and z.
In my presentation I'll focus on three major issues.
- "What comes when?" Say when you will be dealing with each point = W
I'll start off by explaining... then, I'll go on to... Finally, I'll offer some solutions.
- Let the audience know how you're organizing the presentation (handouts, questions, etc.) = L
My presentation will take about 20 minutes and I'll be handing out copies of the PowerPoint slides at the end my talk. There will be time for questions after my presentation.
| ATTENTION GETTERS | EXAMPLES |
|---|---|
| Ask a rhetorical question | Is market research important for brand development? |
| Start with an interesting fact | Did you know that fas food consumption has increased by 600% in Europe since 2002? |
| Tell them a story or anecdote | I remember when I attended a meeting in Paris. ... |
| Give them a problem to think about | Imagine you had to reorganize the sales department. What would be your first step? |
Let's see what other experts have to say!
This article elaborates on the previous techniques and adds new ones. HOW TO START A PRESENTATION: 5 STRONG OPENING SLIDES AND 12 TRICKS TO TEST.
Activities
HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO: You must give a presentation about the causes and effects of deforestation on biodiversity and climate change. Choose one of the four attention getters discussed above, and think about how to apply it during the introduction of your presentation to engage your audience. Take notes of your ideas and then go back to the article to improve them.
Read the following 10 deforestation facts presented by Earth.com to help you:
- We Lose Around 10 Million Hectares of Forest Every Single Year
- Deforestation Contributes about 4.8 Billion Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide A Year
- Beef is Responsible for 41% of Global Deforestation
- Chocolate and Biscuits are Major Contributors to Deforestation
- Brazil and Indonesia Account for Almost Half of Tropical Deforestation
- Soy Plays a Big Role in Deforestation
- Deforestation Has Turned the Amazon Rainforest into a Carbon Source
- No Company in the World Achieved Its Net Zero Deforestation Commitment
- Leading Banks Financed $119 Billion to Companies Linked to Deforestation
- More Than 100 Countries Have Pledged to End Deforestation by 2030
Time to Assess What you Have Learnt!
Which of the following structures would be more appropriate for the introduction of your presentation?
A
| First of all, let me thank you all for coming here today. |
| My presentation will take about 20 minutes and I'll email the Power Point presentation to you. |
| Today's topic is... |
| In my presentation I'll focus on three major issues. |
| I'll start off by explaining... then, I'll go on to... Finally, I'll offer some solutions. |
| Feel free to ask questions at any time during my talk. |
| By the end of this talk you'll be familiar with... |
B
| For those of you who don't know me, my name's... |
| What I'd like to present to you today is... |
| Feel free to ask questions at any time during my talk. |
| My talk is particularly relevant to those of you/us who... |
| In my presentation I'll focus on three major issues. |
| My presentation will take about 20 minutes and I'll email the Power Point presentation to you. |
| By the end of this talk you'll be familiar with... |
C
| I'm delighted that so many of you could make it today. |
| The subject of my presentation is... |
| By the end of this talk you will be familiar with... |
| I've divided my presentation into three (main) parts: x, y, and z. |
| I'll start off by explaining... then, I'll go on to... Finally, I'll offer some solutions. |
| My presentation will take about 20 minutes and I'll email the Power Point presentation to you. |
| Feel free to ask questions at any time during my talk. |
D
| First of all, let me thank you all for coming here today. |
| Let me introduce myself. I'm... |
| As you can see on the screen, our topic today is... |
| In my presentation I'll focus on three major issues. |
| My talk is particularly relevant to those of you/us who... |
| My presentation will take about 20 minutes and I'll email the Power Point presentation to you. |
| Feel free to ask questions at any time during my talk. |
You can check your answers here: ANSWER KEY.
- How to Prepare and Be Prepared for In-class Presentations
- Unit 1: Presentation Overview
- YOU ARE NOW IN UNIT 2: INTRODUCTION
- Unit 3: Main Part
- Unit 4: Conclusion
References
- ↑ Grussendorf, M. (2008). English for Presentations. Oxford University Press.