In this unit you will learn:

• to plan and prepare well for your presentations

• to open presentations effectively

• to establish rapport with the audience and sustain their interest

• to use body language effectively

• to handle questions from audience effectively.

What is a Presentation?

A presentation is a purposeful communication. In other words, it is the process of presenting a topic to an audience, with a specific purpose.

Who should Learn to Make Presentations?

Everyone. The skill to make a powerful presentation has now become an essential prerequisite for people from different walks of life.

• Students need to make presentations on various academic topics.

• Teachers make presentations as part of their teaching.

• Business professionals make presentations to customers to enhance their business prospects or to their peers to inform them of something.

How to Make Effective Presentations?

For your presentation to be effective, you need to plan the various aspects of it and make necessary preparation too.

Choose the right topic

Keep the following in mind while deciding on the topic. The topic must be

• something that interests you

• something on which you have a sound knowledge

• something relevant to your audience

Have a clear goal

Be clear about the purpose of your presentation. Is it

• to inform?

• to explain something?

• to entertain?

• to persuade or dissuade?

Have a central idea or thesis

The brief and clear statement that you use to introduce the central argument of your presentation is your thesis. This acts as a preview for your audience and tells them what the entire presentation is about.