1. Presentation Skills
How to add emphasis to your
presentation
Seven easy to use techniques
Management Communication Training
www.communicatingeu.com

2. Management Communication Training
Andrew Manasseh
• 25 years training, business development,
staff management and training
• British Council 15 years in Thailand, Czech
Republic, Italy and Brussels
• 9 years EU communications and PR training
• Experience with governments in central
Europe and W. Balkans
• Extensive work with the European
Commission, European Parliament, EU
agencies

3. How to add emphasis to a
speech
Seven really simple techniques that
you can use to spice up your speech

4. 1 Intensifiers
We add words to sentences that intensify the meaning.
Example
“You agree with my main points.”
“I am sure you agree with my main points. I can see it in
on your faces.”

5. 2 Softening
Another way of giving emphasis is the reverse of
strengthening so that you soften the message.
Example
“This is an improvement”
“This is a slight improvement”
“This is an improvement - more or less.”

6. Technique 3 Focussing
Tell people what you want them to take away or
remember. Avoid simply saying „what I am going to
talk about…”
Example
“I am going to talk to you about trade policies”
“Let‟s about trade issues. What I want you to take away
is that these challenges are here to stay.”

7. 4 Repetition
This is a common technique used in persuasive
presentations. But do not repeat your message with
exactly the same words.
Example:
“It is important to act now before it is too late.”
• Statement – Repetition – Explanation
Statement: “We think it‟s important to act now”
Repetition: “It‟s important to act now”
Explanation: “Because tomorrow will be too late.”

8. 5. Rhetorical questions
Asking questions is a common way to engage your
audience. These questions encourage the audience
to think and answer.
Example
“There are many opportunities available for us.”
“There are many opportunities for us – so, how are we
going to take them?”

9. 6. Dramatic contrasts
Express contrasts to create impact
“It’s one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.”
We wouldn‟t have remembered if Armstrong had said “I‟ve
climbed down off the rocket and I am stepping on the floor.”
Example
“Our budget has been reduced over ten years.”
“Ten years ago we had the largest budget. Today – we
have the lowest.”

10. 7. The rules of threes (tripling)
A good way of presenting information is in blocks of three. This
technique was probably invented by the Greeks, perfected by
Shakespeare and is used by advertising copywriters today.
Example
“Our service is swift, efficient and professional”
“How did we achieve our goals? Simple. By working
harder, staying focussed and talking to each other.”

11. Techniques to add emphasis
1. Intensifiers
2. Softening
3. Focussing
4. Repetition
5. Rhetorical questions
6. Dramatic contrasts
7. Tripling

12. For more materials check our website
www.communicatingeu.com

14. For more information about our training
Andrew.manasseh@communicatingeu.com
• www.linkedin.com/A Manasseh
• twitter.com/andimanas
• www.communicatingeu.com