Here at Ultimate Vocabulary, we’re usually focused on ways to help you increase your vocabulary and improve your conversational skills by using those new and interesting vocabulary words. Sometimes, though, we need to talk about just exactly how you use those words. Your expanded vocabulary and facility (facility means “skill, ability”) with words won’t impress people nearly as much as they should if you have problems communicating clearly, especially on a professional level.

When you’re preparing for a presentation – unless you’re an excellent extemporaneous speaker (extemporaneous means “impromptu, without prior planning or preparation”) with a rock-solid knowledge of your topic and the likely questions you’ll get from the audience – you’ll benefit from taking the time to write at least an outline of your presentation. You might even want to write out key phrases and detailed points you’ll be covering, then review what you’ve written to make sure that you’re stating things clearly and concisely.

Write down important points, along with a general outline of your presentation, on note cards that you can refer to discreetly (discreetly means “quietly, inconspiciously”) to keep on track, and to ensure that you don’t forget anything. Even if you have visual aids such as a Powerpoint slideshow, it looks better to the audience if you’re facing them, rather than constantly turning your back on them to look at the overhead projection.

Spend some time practicing your presentation so that you have much of what you want to say memorized. If you rely too much on your notes, the audience may suspect that you aren’t comfortable with your topic, or that you don’t have the knowledge they expect from the speaker.

Prepare for questions from your audience by reviewing your planned presentation and thinking about what you might ask, if you were in the audience. If you have time, practice your presentation in front of friends or co-workers, and ask them for feedback. If you can find a group of people who match your prospective audience (prospective means “expected, future”) then you’ll be getting the type of feedback and questions that you can anticipate on the day of your presentation. These practice sessions will also help you overcome any nervousness you might have about your upcoming speech.

Are you afraid of public speaking? What has helped you give better presentations? Leave your suggestions in the comments.