Video activities

Tips for better presentations

Story summary

A college professor offers advice on how to give a better slideshow presentation.

Language summary

Grammar Overview of passives

Subject-verb agreement with quantifiers

Vocabulary Discourse markers

Idiomatic expressions related to the use of language

Before you watch

Take a quiz about good presentation skills to preview the topic of the video.

You will watch a video about how to improve slideshow presentations.

What are slideshows used for?

RUBRICS

What do you know about making a good slide presentation?

Take a quiz. Write T (true) F (false). Answer with the best of your knowledge.

___ 1. It is better to stick only to the facts in a presentation and not tell stories, as they may divert listeners’ attention.

___ 2. It is better to read your slides to make sure you get your information correct.

___ 3. If you are reading from a presentation, do not look at the screen the whole time. It can be distracting.

___ 4. It is best to put complete sentences and paragraphs on the screen to ensure you present all needed information.

___ 5. It is best to use a large dark font on a light background so that everyone can read your slides.

___ 6. Hand out any notes and presentation materials before you begin your talk so that people can follow along.

DISCUSSION

Pair work Discuss your answers from the quiz.

Were most of your answers the same or different?

Would you like to change any answers?

Which features would you include or exclude from the rubrics features of a good presentation?

Which other changes would you make on the rubrics features of a good presentation?

The quiz answers will be revealed in the video

While you watch

Who does each action while giving their presentation?

Write M for the man or W for the woman.

Then check your answers to Before you watch part A.

___ 1. uses storytelling to present information

___ 2. reads the presentation word for word

___ 3. talks in a conversational manner

___ 4. watches the slides during the presentation

___ 5. does not use bullet points

___ 6. does not put everything on the slides

___ 7. uses a small font

___ 8. does not give a handout until after the presentation ends

Write the letter of the correct phrase to complete each sentence.

a. use bullet points

b. try to tell a story

c. post slide points one at a time

d. watch the presenter

e. look at the screen the whole time

f. talk as if you were having a conversation

g. give handouts at the end of the presentation

h. use a large, dark font on a light background

1. The audience will find it more interesting if you ___.

2. No one wants to hear you read, so ___.

3. You take the focus off yourself if you ___.

4. A successful presentation is when people ___.

5. Because paragraphs on slides are hard to read, you need to ___.

6. People who sit in the back will be able to read if you ___.

7. The audience will get ahead of you if you don’t ___.

8. To encourage people to play attention and not write while you are speaking ___.

Choose the correct expressions to complete the statements according to the information in the video.

1. Poor slideshows / Boring subjects are the reason audiences dread watching presentations.

2. I is tedious for people to sit there while someone talks as if having a conversation / Reads exactly what is on the screen.

3. A common problem during presentations is looking only at the screen / talking too long about a subject.

4. It is not necessary to look at your slides at all / put your entire speech on the screen.

5. In choosing to write the text for the slides you should include no more than three words / only the key words.

6. It is a good idea to view your slides from the back of the room to check if everyone can see you / your font is too small.

7. Letting people know they will get a copy of the presentation discourages them from taking their own ideas / reading ahead on the slides.

After you watch

Pair work

Which problems mentioned in the video have you or your partner seen or done in a presentation?

How did it affect the presentation?

Share your experiences with the class.

Think of three additional tips that could improve a presentation.

Prepare a presentation about your tips.

Giving your presentation

Group work

Take turns giving your presentation with another pair.

Give each other tips to improve your presentation styles.

Use the newest rubrics features of a good presentation made by the class.

Choose the best presenters and have them present the best ideas to the class.

Project

Your project in two steps

1st Write a script
2nd Make and share the video

First step: Write a script

In this activity you write your own slideshow presentation.

Preview

You will work in pairs to make your slideshow presentation.

Your presentation can be about any topic you choose, but you should pay special attention to follow the tips in the video.

Write a script and then give the presentation on camera.

Brainstorm

Some possible topics that pairs may want to use in their video:

Review of a well-known book

The history of a country or event

A famous sporting event

We are going to review some possible ways you can approach the presentation.

DISCUSSION

Will the presentation be about a single topic?

Will it compare or contrast two topics?

Will it explain causes and effects regarding a topic?

Will it talk about problems and solutions?

Outline

Make an outline of your script.

You can use your own ideas or the following structure:

Presenter A introduces the topic of super cars (very expensive, fast cars) and gives an overview of what will be talked about. For example: the people who drive them, why they are popular, etc.
Presenter B presents a slide talking about who drives super cars with three pieces of supporting information.
One of the presenters repeats the presentation for the remaining points
Presenter B makes a concluding statement that reviews the presentation and offers an opinion or call for action.
Partners distribute presentation handouts.