019_Presentation Introductions

019_Presentation Introductions

This is the first of three episodes dealing with presentation skills. In this episode Kaname learns how he can improve the introduction of his presentation by using a rhetorical question as an attention getter.

Kevin:

Hello and welcome to another episode of Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great place to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones. This episode we are talking with Nichibei student Kaname.

Kaname:

Hello Kevin.

Kevin:

And Nichibei instructor Loring Ivanick. Hello Loring.

Loring Ivanick:

Hello Kevin.

Kevin:

So Kaname. Why don’t you explain your situation and your question.

Kaname:

Sure, I’d be glad to. Next month I have to give a presentation on city planning at a big international conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I’ve finished my script, but I’m afraid it sounds very boring. What can I do to make sure people listen to my speech from the very beginning?

Kevin:

Have you finished writing the presentation?

Kaname:

Yes I have.

Kevin:

And what’s the subject of your presentation?

Kaname:

Creating rooftop gardens.

Kevin:

You mean trees and grass on the tops of city buildings.

Kaname:

Yes, exactly.

Kevin:

Well, Loring, you’ve heard his situation and his question. What do you suggest he do to make the introduction of his speech more interesting?

Loring Ivanick:

Kaname, do you have your presentation notes with you?

Kaname:

Yes I do.

Loring Ivanick:

Well, let’s listen to the introduction that you have now.

Kaname:

Alright. Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Kaname Kubota. I’m with GreenTop Engineering. Today I’d like to talk to you about rooftop gardens. My presentation is divided into three parts. First the history of rooftop gardens, next the advantages of rooftop gardens and finally the future of rooftop gardens. Now let me move on to my first section, the history.

Loring Ivanick:

Very good. Let’s stop there for a moment.

Kaname:

Alright.

Loring Ivanick:

That was a very good introduction but it was missing something.

Kaname:

What was that?

Loring Ivanick:

It was missing an attention getter.

Kaname:

What do you mean by attention getter?

Loring Ivanick:

An attention getter is something which gets the attention of your audience. Which makes them want to listen to the rest of your presentation.

Kaname:

Ok, what are some examples of an attention getter?

Loring Ivanick:

Examples are jokes, rhetorical questions, stories, surprising statistics, quotes, etc. An attention getter is also called a hook; it is something that makes the audience want to listen to you.

Kaname:

Can you suggest on of those?

Loring Ivanick:

The rhetorical question is a classic way to open a presentation.

Kaname:

Sorry, what does rhetorical question mean?

Loring Ivanick:

A rhetorical question simply means a question which is asked, not to get an answer, but to make us think about the subject.

Kaname:

You mean a question like, what is love?

Loring Ivanick:

Yes. That can be a rhetorical question.

Kaname:

OK, but I still don’t know what to say.

Loring Ivanick:

Well Kaname, what do think is interesting about rooftop gardens?

Kaname:

They can help save energy, cut pollution and lower city temperatures.

Loring Ivanick:

Wow, there you are! Just change what you just said into a question and you have your attention getter! Now, try your introduction again. This time, after you introduce yourself, say “let me ask you a question” then ask your rhetorical question and then answer it.

Kaname:

OK. Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Kaname Kubota. I’m with GreenTop Engineering. Let me ask you a question. What is something which can save energy, cut pollution and lower city temperatures? The answer is Rooftop Gardens. Today I’d like to talk to you about rooftop gardens. My presentation is divided into three parts. First the history of rooftop gardens, next the advantages of rooftop gardens and finally the future of rooftop gardens. Now let me move on to my first section, the history.

Loring Ivanick:

Excellent Kaname. That really improves your presentation introduction.

Kevin:

Yeah, that sounded much better.

Kaname:

Thank you so much. I feel much better about my presentation.

Loring Ivanick:

My pleasure Kaname.

Kevin:

Now let’s review the target vocabulary and phrases for this episode. Attention getter and rhetorical question.

END