What is the ideal amount of time to give an effective presentation? If you’ve ever watched a Ted video, you’ll have seen that some of the presentations are very short. In fact, some of them are only about three minutes or less. However, those presentations are highly effective and often very memorable.
I’ve never given a presentation at Ted, but I have given a short presentation in the past. So this week, you’re going to see a sample presentation of me giving a real presentation that is only two minutes and 37 seconds long.
But to make this more helpful for you, I’m also going to include an analysis of what I said and the key expressions that I used.
UPDATE OCTOBER 2018: Do you want to finally overcome your fear and anxiety about giving presentations? If so, click the following link to learn more:Â https://skills.presentationexpressions.com/presentations
Here’s the presentation:
If YouTube is unavailable in your area, click the following link to view or download the video: How to start and end a presentation in 2 minutes & 37 seconds (Length 2:37!^^)
Here’s the analysis broken down into the beginning, the middle, and the end
(Dramatic voiceover) “In the beginning”
I start this presentation with a very direct overview of what the audience can expect. Nothing fancy, just to the point and fast.
“Today we’re going to be talking about how to analyze your presentation script.”
The next thing I tell the audience is the first purpose of my talk. Notice that I am telling them that I will help them to do something. This is something that you must always consider… How your information is going to do something for the audience. And here’s what I said:
“Now the purpose of this is to help you find the absolute core, the core message of your presentation.”
And in the middle
Starting at the 22 second mark, I tell them exactly what we are going to be doing to achieve the first purpose.
“So what we’re going to do… I’m going to teach you guys to analyze your presentation so that you can find the keywords or key phrases in your presentation.”
After that, I move right into the second purpose.
“And what we are going to do today, too is we’re going to help you to figure out, “Okay, how do I get into the mind of my audience and understand the audience.”
From there, I go into explaining they need to do three things to achieve the two purposes. I just simply say…
“The very first thing you’re going to need…”
“The second thing you need…”
“And the third thing you’re going to need…”
But it’s not the end
This presentation was about something I wanted people to do. I gave them an overview of what they had to do. To end my presentation, I tell them what they need to be careful of. I say to them…
“The important thing is that during this exercise you have to be very, very strict; otherwise, this entire thing does not work.”
Here’s how it all ends
Finally, I tell them what the big picture is, what the ultimate achievement for them will be.
“So what this is gonna do is help you to start thinking like the audience member…”
And last but not least, I give them the first thing they must do. In other words, I give them a call-to-action.
“So that’s basically it. We’re going to take the next few steps that I’ve outlined in the handouts there. Okay? And we are going to get going with that.”
In summary
To do something like this, you must first be well prepared, organized, and know your stuff. But you also have to keep in mind the basic structure of a presentation: Beginning, middle, and end. In the sample presentation, the structure I’ve followed is…
- The beginning to introduce
- The middle to explain the details
- The end to give a call-to-action
Question time
What do you think makes people the most nervous when giving a presentation?
Let me know what you think by writing your answer in the comments section below.
As always, let me know if you have any questions about presentations or this particular topic by leaving a comment below or using the contact page.
Thanks and see you again soon.
Carl
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hi.. Carl.. I am going to talk about a poem cycle of a russian poet.. Plz help mw with the introductory part..
Hello Carl!
I have a presentation, about analysing the article of Debra, “Marked Women, Unmarked Men”, please could You help me on this field, how can I start and finish,
to what should i give more intention,
Thank You in advance.
Hi sonya,
Thanks for your question.
Please answer the following questions. It will help both you and I to understand your talk.
1. Who is the audience?
2. What is the purpose/goal of the talk?
3. Why are you giving the talk?
4. Why should the audience care about your talk?
If you can answer these questions, you will have a better understanding of how to do the introduction. Your introduction should get the attention of your audience and help you fulfil the talk’s purpose.
Hope that helps.
Carl
Hi Fatima,
Thanks for your question. Please read my reply here: http://wp.me/pJrVJ-ww
Thanks.
Carl
Dear Carl,
Thank You very much for your respond, in honestly, I greatly appreciate the assistance you have provided me.
And one important thing I am very grateful to You for your previous advices on my presentation on the theme of ¨debate in the classroom¨.
The presentation was perfect!
Best Regards,
Fatima
P.S. To all of you, who created this website , from all the names I send a quarter century’s worth of thanks!!!
Hello, I have a presentation in my college tomorrow about “Bilingual Education”, I extremely need your guidance, Thank you.
Hi Fatima,
Wow, thank you!! I’m so happy to hear the presentation went well! And I’m so grateful for your kind words 🙂
Thanks again and all the best.
Carl
thanks carl for you response..
My presentation is completely academic, and it is part of my curriculam.
my audiences are professors of literature..i have to show the work later in written form..they will asses me for my presenation..its mid -term exam.. then the paper is submitted..
Hi sonya,
Sorry to keep you waiting. You could begin with something from the poet or about the poet’s work. Even though it is academic doesn’t mean it shouldn’t grab the listener’s or reader’s attention. Something like, “Someone once said that so and so poet… There may be some truth to that, but what I want to explore is…”
Hope that helps 🙂
Thanks.
Carl
Respected Sir,
I am going to have a presentation tomorrow about” Information Technology and its Innovation” So, I really need your help to details about this topic.
Thank You
Thanks for your message, Mandi.
Good luck with your presentation. Next time, if you’d like some advice, start your preparation early.
Respected Sir, I am a student and I am going to have a presentation about another culture country with at least three points. My lecture ask that presentation last from 4-6 mintues. This is my first presetation, so I do not know that how to introduce my impressional introduction and conclusion so that I get high score in my learning. Besides, time is very short, therefore I also do not what I have to do in my body of presention. So I really need your help to details about this my topic.
Thank you very much.
Hi Sandra. Thanks for your message. I recommend that you do a search for introduction, presentation topics, starting a presentation and ending a presentation. You will find videos that will help you go from start to finish. If you need to know what to say, you can search for expressions. You can also subscribe to the site and get a free ebook with essential presentation expressions.
Thanks and good luck.
Carl
hello sir,
i am a student pursuing my engineering…i ‘ve a presentation on acoustic localization of aircraft next week.. i wanted to know what can be my introductory statement for this topic to give a good start… and how do i end it…
Hello sir, i will giving a presentation about a new housing project to Gambians in France. Please direct me on what to do.
sir,
I have to give a presentation on performance appraisal methods. But I am in a group of 6. I m the 3rd one. how should I start and end. I have to cover the techniques of appraisal.
thank you.
Hi sonu,
Please see my reply here: http://presentationexpressions.com/question-and-answer-to-sonu
Hi sigsins,
Thanks for your message. What exactly do you need help with?
Thanks.
Carl
rahul,
You should thank the previous speaker before you speak. Then when you are done, you should introduce the next speaker and what he/she will talk about.
Thanks.
Carl
how to give impromptu speec & presentation
Hi Sir, I am a student and I am going to have a presentation about leadership… but i dont know how to start it…
i want few introduction about this topic… pls help me…..
Dear Sir,
Tomorrow i am going to do presentation on social crime, help me what points i have to talk? give me idea
Best advice is…Know your topics well, be well-read and up-to-date. Talk about problems, challenges and solutions.
Hi,
Thanks for your question. If you search for introduction or starting a presentation on the site, you’ll find plenty of examples. Use those examples to help you. Once you’ve come up with your own introduction, I’d be happy to give you some feedback.
Good luck.
Hi, thanks for your question. The only idea I will give you is to start your preparation early, tell me what you want to talk about and for who, and then maybe I can help. Otherwise, you’re on your own.
Hello Carl!
As usual I need your help 🙂
I know that you will find the most reliable solution for us.
This week I have a presentation, I have to find any article on the sphere of technical writing and show the technical features of this article..
How can I present the article, especially to what should I give attention, AND
How can I win my fear on the stage?
Respected Sir, I am a frist-yesr student and on this saturday, I have a presentation with six members in my group and we will talk to brain drain in Vietnam. Hence, I do not know that how to organize so that all people in group can say in presentation but it is not boring audience. Each part in presentation has 2 members state together or each part has only member state. How do you think which is better way? Besides, do you know reliable documents about my topic because after presenting, we will write a assignment about it. Moreover, could you help me so that I can create pleasantness in this topic?
I really need your help to details about this my topic.
Thank you very much.
Hello Carl!
Am very happy to know that you directly or indirectly helped nearly 75 members of my class who will be appearing for their end semester presentation. I should say that all the videos and the Q&A in this site has helped me. I would also like you to know that my friends felt extremely useful for all the stuffs posted here. Am getting varied response from them for sharing the link. Your doing amazingly well. Keep going.
Sir , i am going to give a presentation to a potential sponsor for my college team .
we are building an all terrain vehicle for a baja race.
How Should I start the presentation and what should be my strategy. Please help ASAP
Sir, I have to give a presentation to a potential sponsor for our college team.
our team is building an All-Terrain-Vehicle for a baja event. How should I Start my presentation. And what should be my strategy. Need Help ASAP
Sir i have a presentation for IS outsourcing decision making approach it’s going to take 5 minutes i don’t how to start can u help me out please
Hi Fatima,
Sorry for the very late reply. It’s been a very hectic week with work and my son being sick.
Anyway, hope your presentation went well. The answers to your questions begin and end with who the audience is, what the purpose of the presentation is, and what the audience will want to know about.
Overcoming fear comes from being very well prepared and knowing your topic inside-out. Then it’s about practice. Then it’s about recognizing why you’re afraid and dealing with that. It’s a process. There isn’t a magic cure. Just remember that fear is natural and may not be completely overcome, but instead, it can be used as a source of energy.
Hope that helps.
Good luck.
Carl
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for your message. Very busy here lately so couldn’t answer until now.
I think it’s better if each person speaks individually. However, don’t have everyone standing together. When one person is speaking, the other 5 should be off to the side and behind the speaker, if possible.
As for information about your topic, you could examine brain drain in other countries. Then you could compare to Vietnam and maybe offer ideas or solutions to reducing the problem in Vietnam. I think that will also help with making the topic more pleasant. People like to hear solutions to problems.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Btw, I’m thinking about visiting Vietnam this year but not sure, yet 🙂
Wow, thank you! So happy to hear that!! I hope to one day shake yours and all 75 members’ hands and thank you for watching my videos 🙂
Thanks for your message. I honestly don’t know how you should start, exactly. You have to know your audience and what would capture their attention. Your main strategy should be showing them how great life will be for them if they sponsor you. It’s not about facts, but benefits and emotion.
Good luck!
Hi Tina,
Please see my answer here to Sunny Gaur. It applies to your situation, too.
Good luck.
Thanks for your help. Presentation of my group was successful and my group was 95/100. We am happy about this 🙂
In our presentation, we organized a workshop about the brain drain in Vietnam. Each member in group undertook each different role such as MC, economic analyst, doctor, audiene,… Apart form MC and audience, the rest members are guest who participate in workshop.
I hope that you will visit to Vietnam in the next time. Vietnam always welcome you. 🙂
Hi Carl!
Tomorrow I have a presentation about Attendance Management System in my college. We have a group of two including me. there will have friends and some teachers who will give marks us? How can I start ? How my partner start in middle. I need your help. Plz help me.
Waiting for your reply.
Great job! Congratulations! Thanks for letting me know.
Looking forward to one day visiting Vietnam! 🙂
Hi Saber,
Thanks for your question. Please search this site for introductions, how to start and introducing another speaker. Good luck.
Respested Sir;
I am going to have my presentation on implementation of windows and linux desktop deployment(project)..I want to know how can i start my presentation in details intoducing myself…what are the benefits points and how to present it infront of my seenior’s..
Respested Sir;
I am going to have my presentation on implementation of windows and linux desktop deployment(project)..I want to know how can i start my presentation in details intoducing myself…what are the benefits points and how to present it infront of my senior’s..
To be honest, everything you are asking can be found by searching this site. I appreciate you taking the time to visit and to leave a comment but you need to do the work yourself.
Hi sir,
i really need ur help dis is my 1st presentation nd before dis i have never ever given a presentation so i dnt knw hw to start a presentation? How to end a presentation? Nd my presentation topic is computer hacking plz plz help me out tomorrow is my presentation nd i m afraid of giving it plz help me out i vl really be thankful to receive help from u nd i hope u vl guide me.
Eagerly waiting for ur ans,
kajal
I’ve a presentation on robot’s leg .. I’ve to tell the features an detail about it! Can you help Me Please!
Thanks for your comment. Not sure how I can help you. I don’t know about the robot legs you want to talk about. If you’re looking for help with content, please search this site and http://www.carlkwan.com/blog for several videos on content, presentation structure, starting and ending a presentation. If you’re looking to hire myself or Liam as a consultant, please let me know who you would like to work with and I can provide contact details for you.
Thanks and good luck.
hey!! could you help how to prepare my presentation on the IMPORTANCE OF RHYME IN POEMS??????….i got stuck here coz i have no idea about this please
Thanks for your question, but I think you’ll have to work on this yourself. Answering these questions will help: Who is your audience and why would they care about rhyme in poems? What is the purpose of your presentation? What do you want people to do with the information you will share with them? What does your audience already know and what would they like to know about rhyme in poems?
Hope that helps.
Good luck.
Hi sir.This sartuday im having a competition
on coffee making.we have 2mins introduction time strictly,my audience are my director,trainer,judges frm out and fellow staffs.this is my first time to talk in public and im abit afraid.plz help me on what to say for the 2mins