UNIT 3: MAIN PART

Unit Objectives

In this unit the learner will:

• Be familiar with the checklist acronym “BEST SHOT”.
• Be able to guide an audience through a presentation with signposting cues.
• Learn how to create better visuals.

Learning this acronym is your "best shot"

According to the author of the book "Oxford English for Presentations", there are some steps you must follow while you are developing the main part of your presentation:

REMEMBER!
Briefly state your topic again	B
Explain your objective(s)	E
Signal the beginning of each part	S
Talk about your topic	T
Signal the end of each part	S
Highlight the main points	H
Outline the main ideas in bullet-point form	O
Tell listeners you've reached the end of the main part	T

Including Signposting and Effective Visuals

Signposting Strategies

According to Steve Bustin's website signposting allows your audience to know that you are concluding one of your three main points, so mentally they are able to store that in the ‘to remember’ part of their brain and to get ready for the next main point that is about to come their way.

TIP: Remember that usually each of the three main parts of a presentation (introduction, main part and conclusion) is subdivided into three main sections or points!

Speakers can use two types of signposting, verbal or visual, to help the audience keep track of where they are in their presentation. This is very important because if the listener gets lost during the speech, they will lose interest. The following examples appear on this website:

Verbal Signposting Cues

• So, that was my first point. Now I’m going to move on to my second point…’
• ‘That’s all I have to say on that topic. Before we move on does anyone have any questions?’

Visual Signposting Cues

• Repeat the ‘headline’ slide you used to introduce the topic. This helps to signal that you’ve come full circle.
• Move to a blank slide and use one of the verbal cues above.
• Turn over the paper you’ve just used on a flip chart or wipe clean the whiteboard to show that that information is now no longer needed and you’re moving on to the next point.
• Move from one position in the room or on the stage to another, again using a verbal cue at the same time.

Making Visuals More Effective

The article called "6 Tips for Effective Use of Visuals in Your Presentation" summarizes some advice to bear in mind when you design your presentation such as:

1. Be consistent
2. Use high-quality visuals
3. Add images that align with your content
4. Keep it simple
5. Avoid clutter
6. Check for copyright

In addition, the article called "15 Effective Visual Presentation Tips to Wow Your Audience" provides more tips to polish your presentation slides even further.

EXTRA TIP!

Activities

Imagine that you are going to listen to a presentation about "teamwork" in your field of expertise, which will elaborate on the pros and cons of working as a group or independently. When the presenter reaches the end of the main part, his last slide is the following:

Food for Thought:

1) Think about whether you would change this picture to conclude the main part of this presentation or not and why.

2) Would you add any text to the picture or just leave it alone? Why?

2) Which words or ideas connected with teamwork and individual work come to your mind? Write down your thoughts and reflect on the importance of choosing the right visuals. You can repeat this activity with other people and compare your answers.

Time to Check What you Have Learnt!

Take this quiz about visual presentations. Good luck!

Navigation Links

• How to Prepare and Be Prepared for In-class Presentations
• Unit 1: Presentation Overview
• Unit 2: Introduction
• YOU ARE NOW IN UNIT 3: MAIN PART
• Unit 4: Conclusion