Useful phrases for presentations

Word	Meaning
audience	Group of listeners or spectators
body language	Communication through facial expressions, body movements, etc.
chart	Sheet of information in the form of a table, graph or diagram.
diagram	Graphic representation of a situation e.g. the results of an action.
flip chart	Pad of large paper sheets on a stand for presenting information.
graph	Diagram showing the relation between variable quantities.
guidelines	Advice or instructions given in order to guide or direct an action.
handout	Written information (report etc.) given to people at a presentation.
key point	Essential or main point.
marker	Pen with felt tip used for writing on a whiteboard.
microphone	Electrical instrument used to amplify the speaker's voice.
O.H.T.	Overhead transparency : sheet of film with an image or printed information for overhead projector.
objective	What one wants to achieve;  aim
outline	Brief description or presentation.
overhead projector	Device that projects an O.H.T. onto a screen.
overview	Short presentation of the main points.
pointer	Rod or stick used to indicate things on a map, screen, etc.
screen	Flat, reflective blank surface on which films, slides, etc. are projected.
signposting language	Phrases used to help focus the audience's attention on different parts of a presentation.
slide	Small photographic transparency.
summarize	Make a summary of the essential points; sum up.
topic	Subject of a discussion or talk.
transparency	Image or information printed on transparent plastic or film.
visual aids	Aids such as charts, slides, etc. used at a presentation.
whiteboard	Flat white board on which to write or draw with markers.

Presentations

Preparation is essential for an effective presentation.

When giving a presentation, certain keywords are used to signpost the different stages.

It's a good idea to memorise them and practise using them, 

so that they come to mind easily during a presentation.

Starting the presentation	Good morning/Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen • The topic of my presentation today is ... • What I'm going to talk about today is ...
Why you are giving this presentation	• The purpose of this presentation is ... • This is important because ... • My objective is to ...
Stating the main points	• The main points I will be talking about are : ◊ Firstly, ◊ Secondly,  ◊ Next, ◊ Finally ... we're going to look at ...
Introducing the first point	• Let's start / begin with ...
Showing graphics, transparencies, slides, etc.	•  I'd like to illustrate this by showing you ...
Moving to the next point	• Now let's move on to ...
Giving more details	• I'd like to expand on this aspect/problem/point ... • Let me elaborate on that. • Would you like me to expand on/elaborate on that?
Changing to a different topic	• I'd like to turn to something completely different ...
Referring to something which is off the topic	• I'd like to digress here for a moment and just mention ...
Referring back to an earlier point	• Let me go back to what I said earlier about ...
Summing up or repeating the main points	• I'd like to recap the main points of my presentation: ◊ First I covered ...  ◊ Then we talked about ... ◊ Finally we looked at ...  • I'd now like to sum up the main points which were : ◊ First ...  ◊ Second,  ◊ Third,
Conclusion	• I'm going to conclude by ... ◊ First ...  ◊ Second,  ◊ Third,  • In conclusion, let me ... ◊ First ...  ◊ Second,  ◊ Third,
Questions	• Now I'd like to invite any questions you may have. • Do you have any questions?