3 Ways to Ace Your Show and Tell!

Today, I am going to share with you 3 ways to ace your Show and Tell presentation! I’m sure you want to be a better presenter too! For tips on how to prepare a speech for the presentation, you can check out Ms Krittika’s video here!

Now imagine that THE day has arrived. The teacher has called your name and it is your turn to address the class. It is time for you to shine! In order to impress your audience, these are the 3 things that you can do. Let’s go through them together!

Tip #1: Speak Clearly and at a Good Volume

Firstly, speaking clearly means that you should maintain a steady pace that allows your listeners to absorb what you are saying. Avoid speaking too fast as this can make it difficult for your audience to follow your speech. Going too fast might also cause you to trip over words or pronounce them wrongly. Maintaining a steady pace also means that you need to pause at the right places. Let me demonstrate by using this sentence:

The teddy bear is my favourite toy because it has been my close companion since I was a baby.

Notice how I pause very briefly before the word ‘because’. Pausing appropriately gives the audience a chance to understand what you’re saying and helps to make your speech appear more natural.

Next, pay attention to articulation. Make sure you fully pronounce each syllable of every word, and avoid mumbling or slurring your speech. This includes clearly articulating the final consonant sounds, for instance the ‘k’ sound in ‘back’ or the ’t’ sound in ‘pot’. Don’t forget to differentiate between long and short vowels too – for example ‘wheel’ vs ‘will’.

Lastly, ensure that you speak at a good volume. Remember not to shout as that might make you come across as being rude or angry and make your audience uncomfortable. On the other hand, speaking too softly can result in your audience not being able to hear what you are trying to say, causing them to quickly lose interest.

Remember that it’s okay to slow down and take your time if you’re nervous. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that you’ve got this!

Tip #2: Be Expressive

Your face is one of the most expressive parts of your body. Use facial expressions to convey emotions and reactions. Smile when you are sharing something positive or furrow your brow to show concern.You can also use gestures at the right moment to accentuate your words. For instance, spread your hands apart to emphasise on something big or give a thumbs-up when sharing something that you like.

Most importantly, vary the pitch and tone of your voice when speaking. Instead of droning on in a monotonous voice, make sure that your voice goes up and down. You can achieve this effect by stressing on some words or speaking a little slower when highlighting an important point. Listen to how I express the following sentences:

This teddy bear has been with me for so long that I can’t ever imagine living without it. He is certainly my best friend.

Notice how I place the emphasis on words like ‘so’, ‘can’t’ and ‘certainly’ to express to my audience how much I treasure my bear. Being expressive also ensures that you are able to capture and maintain your audience’s attention throughout your entire presentation. The last thing you want is for your audience to fall asleep while listening to you!

Tip #3: Maintaining eye contact

I know that maintaining eye contact can be challenging, especially if you are very shy or when you are nervous. It is only natural to want to look at your notes to ensure that you have not forgotten what you want to present, but it is equally important to look at your audience as a way of keeping them engaged.

The best way to maintain eye contact is to face forward and look at your audience while you are presenting. Be sure to make eye contact with as many audience members as possible – the trick is to look at one person for three to five seconds before moving on to the next. If you are nervous, look out for your friends in the audience and imagine that you are having a conversation with them instead, but do remember to try and make eye contact with other people too!

As with the other two tips, practice is important. As you practise the presentation on your own in your room, move your eyes every three to five seconds to look at different parts of the room. This will hopefully help to make maintaining eye contact easier on the actual presentation day.

So there you have it – three ways to help you ace your next Show and Tell presentation. It may seem an uphill task to master these tips, but remember, consistent practice is the key! Enlist the help of your friends and family by practising in front of them and asking them to give you feedback on your volume, expressiveness and eye contact. All the best and good luck for your Show-And-Tell!

“Discover How Lil’ but Mighty’s ‘Learn, Share, Replay’ Method Is Helping Hundreds Of Students Excel In All Sections Of The English Paper!” Now’s the chance for your child to improve by leaps and bounds in the next few weeks… and start the new academic year on the right foot!