ENGLISH Reading Exercise #34 (Intermediate) Presentation Skills 12 of 28

To improve your English fluency and confidence when speaking, use the Synchronized Reading Method. Be sure to watch the Introduction video in the link above first, to understand the methodology. These English reading exercises will dramatically improve your English fluency.

These exercises are designed for intermediate to advanced students who want to sound like a native speaker. By reading along with the teacher at the same time, with the teacher’s voice superimposed over their own, students start to self-correct in the areas of pronunciation and fluency, learning to read and speak in natural word groups.

If you find the pace is too slow, go to the Advanced version, and repeat until you are fluent in sync with the teacher’s reading.

Here is a transcript of the video: ENGLISH Reading Exercise #34 (Intermediate) Presentation Skills 12 of 28

Be sure to watch the introductory video to this playlist before doing this exercise.
Click on the link below in the Description . . .
(https://youtu.be/IOeaBha6dUU)

Accuracy & Clarity: Watch What You Say!
Effective public speaking convinces the audience and moves them to action because they are persuaded to believe the information or reasons given. Hence, credibility is an essential ingredient for anyone who stands up in front of an audience. How can you establish credibility? Here are six suggestions:

Use Specifics For Credibility
Use specifics rather than generalities. When referring to an incident, provide the date, names, places, figures. Although the audience may not remember these details, the fact you mention them adds real weight to your message.

The audience is far more likely to believe a speaker that has obviously carefully researched his subject.

Ensure Accuracy of Statements
Ensure what you are saying is accurate. Use reliable sources when doing research. Do not be taken in by sensational statistics or stories from dubious sources. They can completely blow your credibility if someone in the audience is knowledgeable about the subjectk, and knows that what you are saying is exaggerated or inaccurate.

How To Use Statistics
Effective public speaking involves using statistics skillfully. Express percentages in round numbers for greater impact. Instead of saying 12.2%, say ‘one in eight’.

With very large numbers, round off to the nearest hundred or thousand. Few remember an 8 digit number. For example, instead of saying 3,566,314 say, ‘Well over three and a half million’.

Avoid Universal Words
Be cautious when using universal words such as ‘everyone’, ‘always’, ‘never’, as frequent use can negate the force of your presentation.

It is rare that ‘everyone’ is doing such and such a thing, or that a person ‘always’ does this or that. Better to tone down the level by using words such as “some, usually, often, infrequently, probably, many, in some cases.” These words don’t overstate matters or raise serious questions about your credibility.

Eliminate Meaningless Words
Avoiding meaningless words and phrases to ‘fill’ gaps or thinking time as you put a thought together, will greatly contribute to effective public speaking.

Using expressions such as ‘and-uh’ through your presentation, or regularly tacking ‘you know’ on the end of most of your sentences can irritate an audience.

Avoid Irrelevant Material
Avoid the danger of irrelevant material. You may come across an interesting fact or anecdote and because you like it, you try to force it into your presentation. Unless it directly relates to the subject and is serving the purpose of elaborating on or enhancing a main point, throw it out.

Your presentation will lose focus if you include items that are not relevant. Keep it on the back burner for another time when you might use it in a more appropriate context in a different presentation.

In conclusion, while not suggesting a public speaker should be pedantic over word use and choice, it is important to watch what you say in front of an audience. Inaccurate statements, exaggerations, lack of specifics, can leave an audience very unimpressed.

On the other hand, effective public speakers who pay attention to detail, know how to phrase statistics and specifics for powerful effect, and deliver solid, substantial, proven information, will enjoy a high credibility rating and have an audience ready to act on their recommendations.

Next: What To Do Before And After You Open Your Mouth