An overview of the 10 most common presentation mistakes and how to fix them. For more English tutorials, please visit: https://www.thelecturette.com

1. 10 reasons why
your presentation
doesn’t work

2. 1o reasons why
your presentation
doesn’t work
1. Wrong content
2. Weak structure
3. Poor timing
4. Unsuitable language
5. Monotonous delivery
6. Over-detailed visuals
7. Reliance on your slides
8. Reading from a script
9. Intrusive gestures and ‘tics’
10. Poorly handled Q&A session

3. Wrong
content
• To determine your content:
1. Find out who your audience is.
2. Find out what they are interested in.
3. Adapt your presentation accordingly.
1

4. Weak
structure
• For a clear structure, use:
1. An introduction, a body, and a conclusion
2. Clear ‘signposting’ language
2

5. Poor
timing
3
• To improve your timing:
1. Practice in front of ‘real’ people.
2. Ask for feedback.

6. Unsuitable
language
4
• The language you use should depend on:
1. Your audience
2. Your subject
3. The type of presentation

7. Monotonous
delivery
5
• Try to:
1. Sound lively and energetic.
2. Vary you intonation and your pace.
• Do not:
1. Memorise word-for-word.
2. Read from a script.

8. Over-detailed
visuals
6
• Good visuals are:
1. Meant as support
2. Very simple

9. Reliance on
your slides
7
• Effective slides:
1. Are not cue-cards
2. Should not be text-heavy

10. Reading from
a script
8
• Reading from a script does not work because:
1. The presentation is about you.
2. You will not be flexible.
3. You will not be the ‘expert’.

11. Intrusive
gestures
and ‘tics’
9
• Good body language:
1. Supports your message
2. Is appropriate
3. Is not repetitive

12. Poorly handled
Q&A
session
10
• To organize a good Q&A session:
1. Decide when you want to answer questions.
2. Structure your answers.
- Listen to the question.
- Repeat the question in paraphrased form.
- Use keywords from the rephrased question in your
answer.

13. Poorly handled
Q&A
session
10• Example:
Question from the audience:
Could you tell us what you think the implications will
be of the cost reductions you mentioned?
You:
Okay, so you want to know what the consequences of
these cost cuts will be?
Your answer:
Well, an important consequence of bringing down
costs is that your company will need to look into
automating a number of key steps in the production
process.

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