Everyday situations
How to give a presentation in English
B1
Starting, organising your ideas, giving examples, ending, answering questions: the plan that works in class and in meetings.
Quick answer
A presentation in English has its own rules. You need signposting: say what you are going to say, say it, then say what you have said. You also need clear linking words, the right length and calm answers to questions. You use these skills for school presentations, oral exams and meetings at work. Common mistake 1: starting with I will speak to you about…, which sounds heavy, instead of the natural Today I'd like to talk about…. Common mistake 2: using very formal linking words like moreover and furthermore. They sound like a school essay, and listeners expect natural ones (on top of that, that brings me to…). Common mistake 3: not knowing how to handle a difficult question. Prepare the phrase That's a great question, let me come back to that.
Step by step
Each step follows a typical conversation. Lines marked “or” are other possible answers, depending on the situation.
1. Opening: greeting, introducing yourself, getting attention
30 seconds at most. Say hello, give your name and your topic, then add a hook: a number, a short story or a question that catches attention.
- Other person
Whenever you're ready, Emma.
→ The teacher, or the person leading the meeting, tells you to start. - You
Good morning, everyone.
FormalorHello, everyone.
Neutral - You
Thank you for being here today.
- You
My name is Emma Clark, and I'm a student at Leeds University.
Formal - You
Today, I'd like to talk to you about climate change.
→ I'd like to is softer and more natural than I will here. - You
Did you know that a truckload of plastic ends up in the ocean every minute?
→ A hook with a number: it gets people's attention in 5 seconds.orLet me start with a quick story.
orImagine you wake up tomorrow and there is no clean water.
→ An imaginary hook: it makes listeners picture the situation.
2. Giving the outline
Three parts is the standard. The main rule in English: say what you are going to say.
- You
In this presentation, I'll cover three main points.
orMy presentation is divided into three parts.
- You
First, I'll explain the causes. Then, I'll look at the consequences. Finally, I'll suggest solutions.
- You
I'd like to start by giving some context.
- You
The presentation will last about 10 minutes.
- You
Feel free to interrupt if you have questions.
→ Optional: it depends on the situation (formal or informal).orI'll take questions at the end.
→ You choose: invite people to interrupt, or keep questions for the end.
3. Developing each point with clear linking words
Signposting means spoken signs. Your listeners must always know where you are in your talk.
- You
Let's start with the first point: the causes.
- You
Firstly, …
orFirst of all, …
- You
Secondly, …
- You
On top of that, …
→ A more natural choice than moreover, which sounds like a school essay. - You
For instance, …
orFor example, …
orTake the case of …
- You
As you can see on this slide, …
- You
Moving on to my second point…
→ A clear transition: listeners know that you are starting a new part.orThat brings me to my next point.
- You
Finally, …
orLastly, …
4. Giving facts and examples
Use exact numbers, name your sources and give real examples. Facts make your points stronger.
- You
According to a recent study by Oxford University, …
→ According to + source is the standard academic phrase. - You
Almost 80 % of …
orRoughly one in three …
- You
As shown in this chart, …
orThis is illustrated by this graph.
- Other person
Sorry, could you go back to the previous slide?
- You
Of course. The figures speak for themselves.
- You
Let me give you a concrete example.
- You
In other words, …
→ Use this to explain a difficult point in simpler words.
5. Ending and inviting questions
Repeat your points, give a final message and say thank you. Always tell people that you are finishing.
- You
To sum up, …
→ A clear signal that you are finishing.orIn conclusion, …
- You
To wrap up, I'd like to leave you with three takeaways.
- You
If there's one thing to remember, it's this: …
→ A strong ending: people will remember it. - You
Thank you for your attention.
Formal - You
I'm happy to take any questions.
orDoes anyone have any questions?
6. Answering questions (even the hard ones)
Repeat the question in your own words, take 2 seconds, then answer clearly. If you don't know, say so honestly.
- Other person
Thank you, that was interesting. Could you say more about the second point?
- You
That's a great question. If I understood correctly, you're asking about the consequences?
→ Repeating the question gives you time and makes it clear.orCould you repeat the question, please?
orCould you rephrase that?
- Other person
Yes, exactly. Do you have any figures on that?
- You
I'm not sure I have the exact figure, but I can get back to you on that.
→ Be honest that you don't know, and offer to send the answer later.orThat's outside the scope of my presentation, but …
Formal - You
Does that answer your question?
→ You check that you have answered what the person wanted to know. - Other person
Yes, thank you.
Useful vocabulary
Parts of a presentation
- an introductionthe opening part of a talk
- an outline / a plana short list of the main parts
- the body / main partthe middle part, with your ideas
- a conclusionthe final part of a talk
- a takeawaya key idea people remember afterwards
- a topic / a subjectwhat your talk is about
- an argumenta reason that supports your idea
- a pointone idea in your talk
Linking words (signposting)
- firstly / first of allto start a list
- secondly / nextto give the second idea
- finally / lastlyto give the last idea
- in addition / on top of thatto add another idea
- however / on the other handto show a different idea
- therefore / as a resultto show a consequence
- for instance / for exampleto show a real case
- in other wordsto say it more simply
Visual aids
- a slide / a deckone screen page / the full set
- a graph / a charta drawing that shows numbers
- a tablenumbers in rows and columns
- a figure / a statistica number from a study
- a pie charta circle cut into parts
- a bar chart / a bar graphrectangles of different heights showing numbers
- an image / a photoa picture
- a video clipa short film
Body language and voice
- eye contactlooking at the people listening
- body languagewhat your face and hands say
- tone of voicehow your voice sounds
- pace / speedhow fast you talk
- a pausea short stop when speaking
- to engage the audienceto keep listeners interested
- to make eye contactto look at your listeners
- to speak clearlyto talk so everyone understands
UK vs US: what changes
| You want to say… | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting the audience formally | Good morning, ladies and gentlemen | Good morning, everyone |
| Introducing your topic | I'd like to talk about | Today, I'm going to talk about |
| Giving the outline | My presentation is divided into… | I'll cover three main points |
| One page on the screen | A slide | A slide |
| Everything you prepare and show | A presentation / a talk | A presentation / a deck |
| Ending your talk | To sum up / in conclusion | To wrap up / in summary |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I will speak you about ❌
Speak always needs to before the person: to speak to someone, never to speak someone. The natural phrase is I'd like to talk to you about (with to) or Today I'm going to talk about. Also, I will speak sounds mechanical here: say I'd like to or I'm going to.
2. Too many moreover and furthermore
Moreover, furthermore and besides are correct, but they are very formal and sound like a school essay when you speak. Use natural linking words: on top of that, plus, and another thing, that brings me to. Keep moreover for academic writing.
3. No outline at the start
In English-speaking countries, listeners expect this order: say what you're going to say → say it → say what you've said. If you skip the outline (step 2) or the summary at the end (step 5), your audience gets lost. Always announce 2 or 3 points at the start, and repeat them at the end.
4. Just I don't know is too short
Answering only I don't know to a difficult question sounds defensive. Use the professional order: 1) say the question again in your own words (If I understood correctly…), 2) be honest (I'm not sure I have the exact figure), 3) offer to answer later (I can get back to you on that). Staying calm about what you don't know makes you look confident.
5. Reading your notes word for word
If you read your presentation aloud, people stop listening at once. Audiences expect eye contact (looking at the people) and a natural speed. Use bullet notes (key words) instead of a full text. If you forget something, pause, say Where was I? Ah yes… and carry on. A pause is better than reading from a piece of paper.
Practice quiz
Related pages: Giving a presentation
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Frequently asked questions
How do you start a presentation in English?+
Use three parts. 1) A greeting (Good morning, everyone). 2) Who you are (My name is X, I'm a + what you do). 3) Your topic + a hook, something that catches attention (Today, I'd like to talk to you about + topic. Did you know that + a surprising number?). Never say I will speak you about: say I'd like to talk to you about (with to).
How do you give the outline of a presentation?+
The standard phrase: I'll cover three main points. First, I'll explain + topic 1. Then, I'll look at + topic 2. Finally, I'll suggest + topic 3. Another option: My presentation is divided into three parts. The rule in English: announce what you're going to say → say it → say what you've said.
What linking words can you use in a presentation?+
To list ideas: firstly, secondly, finally / first of all, next, lastly. To add an idea: on top of that, in addition. To show a different idea: however, on the other hand. To give an example: for example, for instance, take the case of. To move on: moving on to + topic, that brings me to + topic.
How do you end a presentation in English?+
Use five parts. 1) Show that you are finishing: To sum up / In conclusion / To wrap up. 2) Repeat the key points: the three key points are… 3) Give one strong message: If there's one thing to remember, it's this… 4) Say thank you: Thank you for your attention. 5) Invite questions: I'm happy to take any questions.
How do you answer a difficult question in a presentation?+
Follow 4 steps. 1) Use a phrase that gives you 2 seconds to think (That's a great question / Good point). 2) Say the question again in your own words if needed (If I understood correctly, you're asking about + topic). 3) Answer, or be honest that you are not sure (I'm not sure I have the exact figure, but I can get back to you on that). 4) Check (Does that answer your question?).
How do you quote a source in a presentation?+
Use According to + source. For example: According to a recent study by Oxford University, According to the World Health Organization, According to recent data. To give a number: The figures speak for themselves. Almost 80% of + noun. Roughly one in three + noun. To point at a picture: As shown in this graph / chart.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/situations/giving-a-presentation
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.