Ian is giving a presentation on the qualities of successful US presidents. He opens with a famous quotation. Next, he tells his audience that he will (1) be covering three influential presidents; and (2) showing how their presidencies have had a lasting impact on modern American society.

Question

Which strategies for effective presentations is Ian using in his opening? Check all that apply.

using a hook in his opening
detailing the speech’s objectives
communicating all the major details of the speech
engaging with his audience by asking them questions
letting his audience know what to expect

Answer 1

In his opening, Ian is using the following strategies for effective presentations:

• using a hook in his opening: By starting with a famous quotation, he captures the audience’s attention.

• detailing the speech’s objectives: He mentions that he will cover three influential presidents and their lasting impact, which clarifies the focus of his presentation.

• letting his audience know what to expect: He outlines what he will discuss during the presentation, providing a clear roadmap for the audience.

He is not:

• communicating all the major details of the speech: He is providing an overview, not the complete details.

• engaging with his audience by asking them questions: He does not indicate that he is asking questions in this part of the presentation.

So, the applicable strategies are the first, second, and fifth points.