Give Your English Presentation a Catchy Opening - 3 Tips

Q. I wanna ask you Michelle one question, you know, how can we grab the attention of the crowd from the beginning? Because we know that in order to give a good presentation we need to start off with a bang. How can we do that?

 

A. You don't want your audience to zone out. 

cf) zone out: not paying attention.You are kinda looking with your eyes but not actually paying attention.

 

#1. Ask a question / Take a poll 

ex) I'd like to start today with a question.

ex) Let me ask you a question.

 

I think it's really great when somebody starts off by taking a poll of the audience. 

ex) To start off, I'd like to take a poll. How many of you have ~

cf) start off: Little bit more interesting than just start. 

 

#2. Tell story or anecdote

ex) Let me tell you a story about ~

ex) Here's a quick story. 

ex) I'd like to open with a personal anecdote.

 

#3. To shock the audience

 

Any final thoughts about opening a presentation?

Just make sure you know your audience, and you know what's appropriate, and you know how to grab their attention.

 

 

[출처: Business English from All Ears English EP1.]