Oral Presentation Skills and Voice Gestures

In this oral presentation skills video, you will learn to use intonation to underscore what you have
to say. Think of intonation as gestures for your voice. You will learn how adding vocal gestures
to your speech creates a more audibly interesting presentation that will capture and retain
audience attention. This lesson focuses on the three pitch levels used in speech; you will learn to
use them strategically to emphasize points and to communicate confidence. Watch the video a
few times, then practice speaking some of Marcs example sentences. Imitate as closely as you
can the pitch levels he uses for each example.
Main Points
Use 3 levels of intonation when you present.
Use level 3 to emphasize key words.
Use level 2 when you start your sentence.
Use level 1 when you end your sentence.

Giving presentations is already nerve wracking. Non-native speakers face the additional challenges of language
and cultural barriers to communication.
Non-native speakers can dramatically improve their presentation skills and become significantly more
understandable to the audience by focusing on three key areas of English communication: phrasing,
intonation and stress.
English-speaking audiences expect to hear certain patterns in these areas. If they do not hear these patterns,
they will have a difficult time understanding you, and may lose interest in your presentation.
Phrasing and Thought Groups
Thought groups put information in understandable chunks to help lead the listener through the speakers
message. Clear boundaries showing where the phrases start and end, not only make it easier for your
audience to follow your message, but make your speech sound less choppy and more fluent.
Example:
New research suggests / that average global temperatures / were higher in the past decade / than over most of
the previous / 11,300 years
Intonation
Intonation is the way your pitch rises and falls. It is extremely important in English and carries a great
deal of information. English has many intonation patterns to show meaning and nuance. Using vocal
variety and intonation patterns in your presentations makes your speech easier to understand and more
engaging. Three common intonation patterns that are useful in presentations include:
rising, rising, falling to show a list. Pitch rises for each list item and falls on the last.
rising, falling - which can be used to show if/then, either/or, and making comparisons
falling to show the end of a statement

Stress
Stress is also key to English communication. Using the wrong stress can make you unintelligible. Using no
stress, where each word gets equal emphasis, is monotone and confusing to follow. In presentations,
stress is often used to show emphasis and focus. These focus words are pronounced louder, longer and
higher than the other words in a sentence. This brings the listeners attention to key words and lets them
know whats important.
Example:
Using the wrong stress can make you unintelligible.
Hearing first, speaking second
Adopting these patterns is crucial to becoming a good presenter. However, you first have to get used to
identifying them. Listen closely to native speakers as they talk or give presentations. Focus on listening for
these 3 keys and practice mimicking them until they become natural for you. Using correct phrasing, intonation
and stress will improve your communication dramatically.

The Importance of Intonation and Rhythm

Over the years I have attended many presentations where the speaker was not a native English
speaker. Where the speaker was highly intelligent, the content of the talk was excellent and
subject was highly informative, yet there was something that made the presentation just die.
That something was the speaker sounding like he or she was reading their script. There was no
emotion, no passion and it sounded like a robot was speaking.
You could write, and prepare the best presentation ever made, but destroy it in the first 30
seconds if you do not use rhythm, intonation and pausing in your presentation.
Lets take a look at the 2007 launch of the iPhone. The beginning of the presentation, Steve Jobs
talks about what Apple has been doing, how the iPod has been selling, and other updates. He
then pauses. The screen behind him only has an Apple logo, he clears his throat and begins this
is a day Ive been looking forward to for 2 and a half years he then pauses again.
Watch the video below. Notice how Steve Jobs builds the excitement by using pauses, slow
speech and intonation.
Now try reading the following out loud without pausing or changing the tone of your voice:
This is a day Ive been looking forward to for two and a half years. Every once in while a
revolutionary product comes along that changes everything. Apple has been very fortunate. Its
been able to introduce a few of these in to the world. In 1984 we introduced the Macintosh. It
didnt just change Apple; it changed the whole computer industry. In 2001, we introduced the
first iPod. It didnt just change we all listen to music; it changed the whole music industry. Well,
today were introducing three revolutionary products of this class
It just does not have the same excitement or passion.
What you have to do, is to practice your presentation over and over again, practice the pausing,
practice the rising of your tone and the lowering of you tone. Speak loudly, then quietly.
I have been teaching business English for many years, and many of my students, whose
vocabulary, listening skills and understanding of English is excellent, fall and fail when they stand
up and give a presentation because they forget to use any kind of rhythm.
So, next time you give a presentation, remember to practice your speech. Remember to slow
down, take your time and enjoy putting stress, emphasis and tone into your words. Not only will
you enjoy the experience more, but your audience will too.

This is a day Ive been looking forward to

for two and a half years. Every once in while
a revolutionary product comes along that
changes everything. Apple has been very
fortunate. Its been able to introduce a few
of these in to the world. In 1984 we
introduced the Macintosh. It didnt just
change Apple; it changed the whole
computer industry. In 2001, we introduced
the first iPod. It didnt just change we all
listen to music; it changed the whole music
industry. Well, today were introducing three
revolutionary products of this class

Paragraph to be Read
Our school is the best in town. The teachers are friendly, and very knowledgeable about English. I've studied at
the school for two years and my English is becoming very good. I hope you will visit our school and try an
English class. Maybe we can become friends, too!
Paragraph with Sound Scripting Markup
Our school is the BEST in town. The teachers are friendly, and VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE about English.
I've studied at the school for two years and my English is becoming VERY GOOD. I hope you will visit our
school and try an English class. MAYBE we can become FRIENDS!
Paragraph to be Read
In this day and age, facts, statistics and other numbers are used to prove everything. Intuition, gut feelings and
personal preferences are all out the door. Of course, there are some who are trying to battle this trend. Recently,
Malcolm Gladwell wrote Blink, a best-seller which explores the usefulness of making split-second decisions
based on intuition rather than careful consideration of all the facts and figures.
In this book, Gladwell argues that initial impressions - or gut-feelings - are quite rational. However, that this
"split-second" thinking process moves faster than what we usually associate with thinking. If you are one of
these people - and there are many of us - Blink provides "proof" that you're actually quite a rational human
being.
Paragraph with Sound Scripting Markup
In this day and age, facts, statistics and other numbers are used to prove EVERYTHING. Intuition, gut
feelings and personal preferences are all OUT THE DOOR. Of course, there ARE some who are trying to
battle this trend. Recently, Malcolm Gladwell wrote BLINK, a best-seller which explores the
USEFULNESS of making SPLIT-SECOND DECISIONS based on INTUITION rather than careful
consideration of all the facts and figures.
In his book, Gladwell argues that INITIAL IMPRESSIONS - or GUT-FEELINGS - are quite rational.
However, that this "split-second" thinking process moves FASTER than what we usually associate with
thinking. If YOU are one of these people - and there are MANY of us - Blink provides "PROOF" that you're
actually quite a RATIONAL HUMAN BEING.