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The objective of a presentation is to pass the message that the audience want to hear not just to talk without stopping
and showing a lot of visual aids. But the problem is most of the audience get bored listening to the speaker.
Only a few speakers can hold an audience's attention. What is the secret in keeping the audience's attention?
The book, "English for Business Communication" by Simon Sweeney, suggests four ways not to lose your audience's attention.
FIRST, find out about your audience and what they need to know. Plan what you are going to say and say it clearly.
SECOND, use various signals to help hold the audience's attention and make the information clear.
- One type of signal is to introduce a list with a phrase like "There are three things we have to consider" Then
say the three things and explain each one.
- Gve a link between parts of the presentation. Mention when you finish the part and when you start then next part.
- Sequencing of information. For example you will talk about a school project, so you will talk about, first, the
background, then, the current situation, and finally, the future of the project. Key words in sequencing information
are first, then, next, after that, later, at the end, finally, etc.
THIRD, careful repetition, or repeating what you have said to emphasize the information.
FINALLY, timing and quantity of information.
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