Improve Your English

To improve your English fluency and confidence when speaking, use the Synchronized Reading Method. Be sure to watch the Introduction video in the link above first, to understand the methodology. These English reading exercises will dramatically improve your English fluency.

These exercises are designed for intermediate to advanced students who want to sound like a native speaker. By reading along with the teacher at the same time, with the teacher’s voice superimposed over their own, students start to self-correct in the areas of pronunciation and fluency, learning to read and speak in natural word groups.

If you find the pace is too slow, go to the Advanced version, and repeat until you are fluent in sync with the teacher’s reading.

Here is a transcript of the video: ENGLISH Reading Exercise #36 (Advanced) Presentation Skills 14 of 28

Be sure to watch the introductory video to this playlist before doing this exercise.
Click on the link below in the Description . . .
(https://youtu.be/IOeaBha6dUU)

Let Your Body Do The Talking – Gestures
Gestures are an integral part of effective presentations. Rather than standing on the platform like a stuffed dummy, powerful public speakers know how to use their hands, eyes, and body movements to add power to the spoken word.

Here are five suggestions on how to use the body for effective presentations:

A truly animated delivery will set you apart as a public speaker. If you are alive with your subject as reflected in your body movements, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact, you will have the audience focused on everything you say. That’s what effective presentations are made of!

Next: 6 Presentation Skills For Powerful Delivery

To improve your English fluency and confidence when speaking, use the Synchronized Reading Method. Be sure to watch the Introduction video in the link above first, to understand the methodology. These English reading exercises will dramatically improve your English fluency.

These exercises are designed for intermediate to advanced students who want to sound like a native speaker. By reading along with the teacher at the same time, with the teacher’s voice superimposed over their own, students start to self-correct in the areas of pronunciation and fluency, learning to read and speak in natural word groups.

If you find the pace is too fast, go to the Intermediate version, and repeat until you are fluent in sync with the teacher’s reading.

Here is a transcript of the video: ENGLISH Reading Exercise #36 (Advanced) Presentation Skills 14 of 28

Be sure to watch the introductory video to this playlist before doing this exercise.
Click on the link below in the Description . . .
(https://youtu.be/IOeaBha6dUU)

Let Your Body Do The Talking – Gestures
Gestures are an integral part of effective presentations. Rather than standing on the platform like a stuffed dummy, powerful public speakers know how to use their hands, eyes, and body movements to add power to the spoken word.

Here are five suggestions on how to use the body for effective presentations:

A truly animated delivery will set you apart as a public speaker. If you are alive with your subject as reflected in your body movements, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact, you will have the audience focused on everything you say. That’s what effective presentations are made of!

Next: 6 Presentation Skills For Powerful Delivery

To improve your English fluency and confidence when speaking, use the Synchronized Reading Method. Be sure to watch the Introduction video in the link above first, to understand the methodology. These English reading exercises will dramatically improve your English fluency.

These exercises are designed for intermediate to advanced students who want to sound like a native speaker. By reading along with the teacher at the same time, with the teacher’s voice superimposed over their own, students start to self-correct in the areas of pronunciation and fluency, learning to read and speak in natural word groups.

If you find the pace is too slow, go to the Advanced version, and repeat until you are fluent in sync with the teacher’s reading.

Here is a transcript of the video: ENGLISH Reading Exercise #35 (Intermediate) Presentation Skills 13 of 28

Be sure to watch the introductory video to this playlist before doing this exercise.
Click on the link below in the Description . . .
(https://youtu.be/IOeaBha6dUU)

Do You Want People to Believe You? Be Specific!
If a friend says: “Yes, we must meet up again sometime, somewhere” you can be forgiven for doubting their sincerity! On the other hand, when a friend says, “Yes, we must meet up again. How about next Saturday at around 5 pm?” you know they genuinely would like to see you again, and soon!
What makes the difference? Specifics!

When a person makes a presentation which lacks specifics, it’s not so much their sincerity which comes under question, it’s their credibility!

When a speaker says things like: “I read the other day that in New York, at least, I think it was New York. Or was it Washington? Anyway, I read that…” can you really put confidence in the rest of the story?

People are more engaged by concrete details than vague generalities. Telling a compelling story with real characters, events, and outcomes grabs attention, helping you keep your audience’s focus.

Here then is an important ingredient towards establishing your credibility when making a presentation…
Presentations with specific facts, numbers, or stories are more memorable. Details help the audience recall the key points later because they paint a vivid mental picture.

So again, to emphasize the main point, get facts, be specific!

“But They Won’t Remember Anyway”
Did someone say, “What’s the point of sweating over details when they probably won’t remember them anyway?”
Whoever said that is missing the point.
Facts and specifics may or may not be remembered, but the very fact you stated them to back up your point indicates you have researched the material and know what you are talking about.

When referring to an event, how much better to state the day, month and year rather than, “some time ago”.
When giving a report, how much better to state the specific number, e.g. 3,192 rather than, “over three thousand.” (Depending on the context, a large number, e.g. millions, can be rounded up for effect, as noted in our previous lesson.)

Perception Counts
Carefully researched material containing specific details about events, places, times, numbers, add weight to the presentation and establish the speaker as an authority on the subject.

The perception of the speaker the audience is left with is POSITIVE.
They are far more likely to trust what you say through the rest of the presentation when you speak in specifics. Of course, a balance must be maintained. You can go overboard.

Introducing too many specifics and numbers will load the audience down making the presentation tiresome so be judicious in which facts and specifics you decide to relate.

Note: Mark Twain is quoted as humorously saying: “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” No, No!

Just remember when you use facts and specifics to make sure you get your facts right! In other words, use the facts in the way they were intended. If members of the audience know the facts, and see you are misusing them, your credibility is destroyed, once and for all!

So To Summarize…
To gain the respect and trust of your audience and establish your credibility as a speaker, use specifics in your information but be careful!

Too many generalities and you lose credibility.
Too many facts and specifics and the presentation becomes irritating and arduous.
Strike the balance and you have climbed another step towards effective speaking.

Next: Let Your Body Do The Talking – Gestures

To improve your English fluency and confidence when speaking, use the Synchronized Reading Method. Be sure to watch the Introduction video in the link above first, to understand the methodology. These English reading exercises will dramatically improve your English fluency.

These exercises are designed for intermediate to advanced students who want to sound like a native speaker. By reading along with the teacher at the same time, with the teacher’s voice superimposed over their own, students start to self-correct in the areas of pronunciation and fluency, learning to read and speak in natural word groups.

If you find the pace is too fast, go to the Intermediate version, and repeat until you are fluent in sync with the teacher’s reading.

Here is a transcript of the video: ENGLISH Reading Exercise #35 (Advanced) Presentation Skills 13 of 28

Be sure to watch the introductory video to this playlist before doing this exercise.
Click on the link below in the Description . . .
(https://youtu.be/IOeaBha6dUU)

Do You Want People to Believe You? Be Specific!
If a friend says: “Yes, we must meet up again sometime, somewhere” you can be forgiven for doubting their sincerity! On the other hand, when a friend says, “Yes, we must meet up again. How about next Saturday at around 5 pm?” you know they genuinely would like to see you again, and soon!
What makes the difference? Specifics!

When a person makes a presentation which lacks specifics, it’s not so much their sincerity which comes under question, it’s their credibility!

When a speaker says things like: “I read the other day that in New York, at least, I think it was New York. Or was it Washington? Anyway, I read that…” can you really put confidence in the rest of the story?

People are more engaged by concrete details than vague generalities. Telling a compelling story with real characters, events, and outcomes grabs attention, helping you keep your audience’s focus.

Here then is an important ingredient towards establishing your credibility when making a presentation…
Presentations with specific facts, numbers, or stories are more memorable. Details help the audience recall the key points later because they paint a vivid mental picture.

So again, to emphasize the main point, get facts, be specific!

“But They Won’t Remember Anyway”
Did someone say, “What’s the point of sweating over details when they probably won’t remember them anyway?”
Whoever said that is missing the point.
Facts and specifics may or may not be remembered, but the very fact you stated them to back up your point indicates you have researched the material and know what you are talking about.

When referring to an event, how much better to state the day, month and year rather than, “some time ago”.
When giving a report, how much better to state the specific number, e.g. 3,192 rather than, “over three thousand.” (Depending on the context, a large number, e.g. millions, can be rounded up for effect, as noted in our previous lesson.)

Perception Counts
Carefully researched material containing specific details about events, places, times, numbers, add weight to the presentation and establish the speaker as an authority on the subject.

The perception of the speaker the audience is left with is POSITIVE.
They are far more likely to trust what you say through the rest of the presentation when you speak in specifics. Of course, a balance must be maintained. You can go overboard.

Introducing too many specifics and numbers will load the audience down making the presentation tiresome so be judicious in which facts and specifics you decide to relate.

Note: Mark Twain is quoted as humorously saying: “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” No, No!

Just remember when you use facts and specifics to make sure you get your facts right! In other words, use the facts in the way they were intended. If members of the audience know the facts, and see you are misusing them, your credibility is destroyed, once and for all!

So To Summarize…
To gain the respect and trust of your audience and establish your credibility as a speaker, use specifics in your information but be careful!

Too many generalities and you lose credibility.
Too many facts and specifics and the presentation becomes irritating and arduous.
Strike the balance and you have climbed another step towards effective speaking.

Next: Let Your Body Do The Talking – Gestures

Here is a transcript of the video: “Learn How to Pronounce DIFFERENTIATE – DIFFERENTIATE in a Sentence”

Slide 2:
A quick reminder before we start:
Continually IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH
Click the subscribe button
the Bell icon and then All

Slide 3:
The word DIFFERENTIATE is a verb.

It has 5 syllables.

Stress the 3rd syllable.

It’s pronounced diff◦er◦EN◦she◦ayt

Slide 4:
DIFFERENTIATE
Definition:
to make a distinction, to perceive the difference between various things

The clipart shows two similar colours. Can you differentiate between them?

Let’s look at an illustrated sentence example.

Slide 5:
The picture shows a woman’s face superimposed over a cloudy sky.

The sentence reads: Delusional disorder is a type of mental health condition in which a person can’t differentiate between what’s real and what’s imagined.

In other words, people with delusional disorder often can’t tell the difference between reality and fantasy.

Slide 6:
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Slide 7:
Build a powerful English vocabulary with my FREE course on Udemy. Just go to:
http://goodenglish.online

Image Credit:

Slide 5 – woman in the clouds
Royalty Free
Courtesy TheDigitalArtist at Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/photos/dream-fantasy-magical-imagination-2864696/

Regarding the use of illustrations and photographs used in this video:

Royalty Free
The image may be used for almost any business, personal, educational or charitable purpose as long as a credit is published to the creator of the image.

Examples of DIFFERENTIATE from news items:

“I do think sometimes you have to differentiate between a normal big league player and an elite athlete,” Dombrowski said.
Source: Washington Times
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/dec/8/trea-turner-phillies-finalize-11-year-300-million-/

They made nature far more visible, with green patches more thoroughly highlighting parks and forested areas, and also made it easier to differentiate between roads, thanks to different sizes and additional labels.
Source: The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/23323550/apple-maps-10-year-anniversary-iphone-google

However, it localized in the cytoplasm in granular form in the macrophages and differentiated into osteoclasts, distinct from its normal peri-nuclear localization in other cell types, indicating its cytoplasmic function in osteoclast differentiation.
Source: Science Dailty
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240530132336.htm

Guitarist Steve Howe and keyboard player Tony Kaye’s music has never sounded more tight, yet at the same time, the listener can differentiate the band’s instrumentation.
Source: Salon
https://www.salon.com/2023/11/24/the-yes-album-skillful-remix-proves-why-the-band-is-prog-rocks-reigning-master/

“The price gap isn’t as strong as it used to be. They’ve got to differentiate themselves a bit more.”
Source: BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg29wyrnmwo

If you are interested in how to pronounce DIFFERENTIATE, be sure to check other words in The Pronunciation Guide such as:
Learn How to Pronounce SPONTANEOUS – SPONTANEOUS in a Sentence

ENGLISH SPEAKING & PRONUNCIATION PRACTICE PLAYLIST
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LFrjIsjhMlEZCxVn8CBAGNScI5ARwB1

ENGLISH READING PRACTICE – CLICK HERE
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LFrjIsjhMlgrwrdTaeifxmuXwX7Ofv8

English speaking practice and pronunciation practice is an invaluable method for improving fluency and confidence when speaking English. The student repeats a phrase or sentence after hearing the native speaker say it. The student repeats the phrase or sentence 3 times. This repetition is crucial. Turn the teacher’s voice up loud, and then repeat with a loud voice.

Persistence and perseverance are keys to success. At first it may seem a little monotonous but soon you will get used to repeating each phrase or sentence 3 times. Soon your self-confidence will grow and you will be able to read with much more certainty which will then filter through to speaking English fluently in conversation, which accurate pronunciation.

Here is ENGLISH SPEAKING & PRONUNCIATION PRACTICE
Exercise 3: Memory & Language

Slide 2:
A quick reminder, Get new additions to THE ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY
Click the subscribe button
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and then All

Slide 3:
Be sure to watch the introductory video to learn how to use the echo speaking method.
See the link in the Description . . .
(https://youtu.be/QYDJ-nCgp_k)

Slides 4 onwards
The Reading

Why You Should Remember Just Before You Forget!
Why should you remember something you are trying to learn, just before you forget it? Because remembering it too early doesn’t help, and trying to remember it too late means you have already forgotten it. At least, this is what the late Dr. Paul Pimsleur discovered in his research.

Dr. Pimsleur became one of the world’s leading experts on language teaching before his untimely death at the age of 48 in 1976. His language teaching courses have since become very popular. They include what he called Graduated Interval Recall, in other words, remembering what you are learning by having it repeated just at the point before you forget.

Repetition is a key factor in teaching language. The way it is done however can be equally as crucial. Monotonous drilling of words and phrases does nothing to excite the mind or engage the thinking processes. Repetition staged at intervals with key words and phrases presented in a variety of ways can transform this main learning ingredient.

Pimsleur’s recommended recall rate went as follows: 5 seconds, 25 seconds, 2 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour, 5 hours, 1 day, 5 days, 25 days, 4 months, 2 years. While there may be some flexibility in that schedule, it gives some idea as to the kind of repetition required for information to go into long-term memory.

The graduated interval recall method can be employed by using 1) flash cards and pictures, 2) songs. By repeating songs, key phrases and collocations can be easily remembered.

Closely associated with remembering before you forget is another key component of the Pimsleur method – Anticipation. Anticipation involves getting the student to recall information previously learned and then having it confirmed by the teacher. The student therefore is encouraged to ‘anticipate’ a correct answer. (Pimsleur) How is a student encouraged to recall previously learned information? Simply through questions.

Questions are the digging tools of the mind. The brain is greatly affected by a question. “Of all the things we could be noticing at any given time, there is only a small number we can consciously focus on. By asking a question, either of yourself or of someone else, you can instantly change focus.” (Robbins)

Questions, questions, questions! They are the barbs that hook a learner’s attention. So by asking the student a question related to previously taught vocabulary, the brain is activated to dig through the memory bank, retrieve the appropriate information, and then present it audibly. The teacher then simply reinforces the answer by repeating what the student just said, thus confirming the student’s answer and completing Pimsleur’s Anticipation stage.

By combining the Anticipation method using questions with Graduated Interval Recall, repetition carefully staged at set time intervals, a language student will enjoy a much higher retention level. Such is the power of remembering just before you forget.

References
Pimsleur Users Guide p.6 – Simon & Schuster. Ebook
Available online:
http://www.pimsleur.com/pimsleur/Pimsleur-Users-Guide.pdf

Anthony Robbins (1994).
Giant Steps. Simon & Schuster Inc. New York 10020. p.133

That is the end of the exercise.
Now you have finished this English speaking and pronunciation exercise, focus on improving your fluency. Read this text in Exercise 1 again, using the
Synchronized Reading method.
Go to the DESCRIPTION below for the link to the playlist.
ENGLISH READING PRACTICE – CLICK HERE

Has this video helped you?
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Build A Powerful English Vocabulary with my FREE course on Udemy
Go to: http://goodenglish.online

This video provides 3 illustrated examples of how the word DESPAIR can be used. Take a moment to look at the picture, then listen and read the sentence example. Then make sure you understand the sentence. Look up in a dictionary any other words you do not understand.

Here is a transcript of the video: “The Definition of DESPAIR”

Slide 2:
A quick reminder, Get new additions to THE ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY
Click the subscribe button
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and then All

Slide 3:
DESPAIR
Pronounced desPAIR
with stress on the second syllable.
Definition:
Noun: complete loss of hope
Verb: to lose or give up hope

The clipart shows a person burying their head in their hands in a state of hopelessness.

Let’s look at 3 illustrated sentence examples.

Slide 4:
The picture shows the home page of the SHOUT organization’s web site.

The sentence reads: Shout is a UK based, free text messaging service for anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings of despair.

A person may be tempted to consider suicide if they have lost all hope that their lives will improve. In other words, they are in absolute despair.

Here’s another example:

Slide 5:
In the picture we see a man standing in the road with a worried look on his face.

Sentence: After searching for his dog for over two hours, he was about to give up in despair.

In other words, he was losing all hope that he would find his dog.

Here is a third example:

Slide 6:
The picture shows two friends lying on the grass head to head. The girl on the left looks positive, optimistic.

Sentence: She encouraged her friend by saying: “Things may look bad at the moment. But don’t despair!”

In other words, the girl on the left is telling her friend not to give up, not to lose hope.

Slide 7:
So let’s recap:
DESPAIR: Noun: complete loss of hope
Verb: to lose or give up hope

Synonyms include:
desperation
gloominess
discouragement
desolation
bleakness
hopelessness
defeat
abandon

Slide 8:
Here are some common collocations:

give in to despair
give up in despair
feelings of despair
don’t despair
level of despair
moment of despair
sense of despair
growing despair

Slide 9:
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Slide 10:
Build A Powerful English Vocabulary with my FREE course on Udemy
Go to: http://goodenglish.online

Now you understand clearly the meaning of DESPAIR, check other words in The Illustrated Dictionary such as:
The Meaning of ATTITUDE

Image Credits

Slide 4 – Shout
Fair Use
https://giveusashout.org/get-help/

Slide 5 – man in road
Royalty Free
Courtesy James Garcia at unsplash
https://unsplash.com/photos/man-standing-in-middle-of-road-at-daytime-WuaC3i1g6sI

Slide 6 – two women opposite each other
Royalty Free
Courtesy nikolapeskova at pixabay
https://pixabay.com/photos/blonde-brown-hair-girls-women-826027/

Regarding the use of illustrations and photographs used in this video:

Fair Use
Section 107 of the Copyright Act provides the statutory framework for determining whether something is a fair use and identifies certain types of uses—such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research—as examples of activities that may qualify as fair use.
https://copyright.gov/fair-use/more-info.html

Royalty Free
The image may be used for almost any business, personal, educational or charitable purpose as long as a credit is published to the creator of the image.

To improve your English fluency and confidence when speaking, use the Synchronized Reading Method. Be sure to watch the Introduction video in the link above first, to understand the methodology. These English reading exercises will dramatically improve your English fluency.

These exercises are designed for intermediate to advanced students who want to sound like a native speaker. By reading along with the teacher at the same time, with the teacher’s voice superimposed over their own, students start to self-correct in the areas of pronunciation and fluency, learning to read and speak in natural word groups.

If you find the pace is too slow, go to the Advanced version, and repeat until you are fluent in sync with the teacher’s reading.

Here is a transcript of the video: ENGLISH Reading Exercise #34 (Intermediate) Presentation Skills 12 of 28

Be sure to watch the introductory video to this playlist before doing this exercise.
Click on the link below in the Description . . .
(https://youtu.be/IOeaBha6dUU)

Accuracy & Clarity: Watch What You Say!
Effective public speaking convinces the audience and moves them to action because they are persuaded to believe the information or reasons given. Hence, credibility is an essential ingredient for anyone who stands up in front of an audience. How can you establish credibility? Here are six suggestions:

Use Specifics For Credibility
Use specifics rather than generalities. When referring to an incident, provide the date, names, places, figures. Although the audience may not remember these details, the fact you mention them adds real weight to your message.

The audience is far more likely to believe a speaker that has obviously carefully researched his subject.

Ensure Accuracy of Statements
Ensure what you are saying is accurate. Use reliable sources when doing research. Do not be taken in by sensational statistics or stories from dubious sources. They can completely blow your credibility if someone in the audience is knowledgeable about the subjectk, and knows that what you are saying is exaggerated or inaccurate.

How To Use Statistics
Effective public speaking involves using statistics skillfully. Express percentages in round numbers for greater impact. Instead of saying 12.2%, say ‘one in eight’.

With very large numbers, round off to the nearest hundred or thousand. Few remember an 8 digit number. For example, instead of saying 3,566,314 say, ‘Well over three and a half million’.

Avoid Universal Words
Be cautious when using universal words such as ‘everyone’, ‘always’, ‘never’, as frequent use can negate the force of your presentation.

It is rare that ‘everyone’ is doing such and such a thing, or that a person ‘always’ does this or that. Better to tone down the level by using words such as “some, usually, often, infrequently, probably, many, in some cases.” These words don’t overstate matters or raise serious questions about your credibility.

Eliminate Meaningless Words
Avoiding meaningless words and phrases to ‘fill’ gaps or thinking time as you put a thought together, will greatly contribute to effective public speaking.

Using expressions such as ‘and-uh’ through your presentation, or regularly tacking ‘you know’ on the end of most of your sentences can irritate an audience.

Avoid Irrelevant Material
Avoid the danger of irrelevant material. You may come across an interesting fact or anecdote and because you like it, you try to force it into your presentation. Unless it directly relates to the subject and is serving the purpose of elaborating on or enhancing a main point, throw it out.

Your presentation will lose focus if you include items that are not relevant. Keep it on the back burner for another time when you might use it in a more appropriate context in a different presentation.

In conclusion, while not suggesting a public speaker should be pedantic over word use and choice, it is important to watch what you say in front of an audience. Inaccurate statements, exaggerations, lack of specifics, can leave an audience very unimpressed.

On the other hand, effective public speakers who pay attention to detail, know how to phrase statistics and specifics for powerful effect, and deliver solid, substantial, proven information, will enjoy a high credibility rating and have an audience ready to act on their recommendations.

Next: Do You Want People to Believe You? Be Specific!

To improve your English fluency and confidence when speaking, use the Synchronized Reading Method. Be sure to watch the Introduction video in the link above first, to understand the methodology. These English reading exercises will dramatically improve your English fluency.

These exercises are designed for intermediate to advanced students who want to sound like a native speaker. By reading along with the teacher at the same time, with the teacher’s voice superimposed over their own, students start to self-correct in the areas of pronunciation and fluency, learning to read and speak in natural word groups.

If you find the pace is too fast, go to the Intermediate version, and repeat until you are fluent in sync with the teacher’s reading.

Here is a transcript of the video: ENGLISH Reading Exercise #34 (Advanced) Presentation Skills 12 of 28

Be sure to watch the introductory video to this playlist before doing this exercise.
Click on the link below in the Description . . .
(https://youtu.be/IOeaBha6dUU)

Accuracy & Clarity: Watch What You Say!
Effective public speaking convinces the audience and moves them to action because they are persuaded to believe the information or reasons given. Hence, credibility is an essential ingredient for anyone who stands up in front of an audience. How can you establish credibility? Here are six suggestions:

Use Specifics For Credibility
Use specifics rather than generalities. When referring to an incident, provide the date, names, places, figures. Although the audience may not remember these details, the fact you mention them adds real weight to your message.

The audience is far more likely to believe a speaker that has obviously carefully researched his subject.

Ensure Accuracy of Statements
Ensure what you are saying is accurate. Use reliable sources when doing research. Do not be taken in by sensational statistics or stories from dubious sources. They can completely blow your credibility if someone in the audience is knowledgeable about the subjectk, and knows that what you are saying is exaggerated or inaccurate.

How To Use Statistics
Effective public speaking involves using statistics skillfully. Express percentages in round numbers for greater impact. Instead of saying 12.2%, say ‘one in eight’.

With very large numbers, round off to the nearest hundred or thousand. Few remember an 8 digit number. For example, instead of saying 3,566,314 say, ‘Well over three and a half million’.

Avoid Universal Words
Be cautious when using universal words such as ‘everyone’, ‘always’, ‘never’, as frequent use can negate the force of your presentation.

It is rare that ‘everyone’ is doing such and such a thing, or that a person ‘always’ does this or that. Better to tone down the level by using words such as “some, usually, often, infrequently, probably, many, in some cases.” These words don’t overstate matters or raise serious questions about your credibility.

Eliminate Meaningless Words
Avoiding meaningless words and phrases to ‘fill’ gaps or thinking time as you put a thought together, will greatly contribute to effective public speaking.

Using expressions such as ‘and-uh’ through your presentation, or regularly tacking ‘you know’ on the end of most of your sentences can irritate an audience.

Avoid Irrelevant Material
Avoid the danger of irrelevant material. You may come across an interesting fact or anecdote and because you like it, you try to force it into your presentation. Unless it directly relates to the subject and is serving the purpose of elaborating on or enhancing a main point, throw it out.

Your presentation will lose focus if you include items that are not relevant. Keep it on the back burner for another time when you might use it in a more appropriate context in a different presentation.

In conclusion, while not suggesting a public speaker should be pedantic over word use and choice, it is important to watch what you say in front of an audience. Inaccurate statements, exaggerations, lack of specifics, can leave an audience very unimpressed.

On the other hand, effective public speakers who pay attention to detail, know how to phrase statistics and specifics for powerful effect, and deliver solid, substantial, proven information, will enjoy a high credibility rating and have an audience ready to act on their recommendations.

Next: Do You Want People to Believe You? Be Specific!

Here is a transcript of the video: “The Meaning of TURN OVER A NEW LEAF”

Slide 2:
Continually IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH
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Slide 3:
The meaning of:
TURN OVER A NEW LEAF

to change behaviour in a positive, better, more acceptable way; to start over

Synonyms:
reform
improve
change
amend

The clipart shows an arrow going in one direction, and then going in the opposite direction, a change in course.

Slide 4:
Note: the leaf in the idiom is NOT the leaf of a tree.

Rather, it refers to the page of a book. One of the definitions of the word ‘leaf’ is: a sheet of paper bound in a book.

Slide 5:
So the sense is that of turning a page in a book, to a new blank page.

In other words, making a fresh start, changing course.

Let’s look at 2 illustrated sentence examples.

Slide 6:
In the picture, we see a young man handcuffed, being escorted by a police officer.

The sentence reads: After being arrested by the police, he promised his family he would turn over a new leaf, and stay out of trouble.

In other words, the young man promised his family he would change his behaviour in a positive way. He would start over.

Slide 7:
In the picture we see a young man smiling and greeting his friend who is habitually late.

Sentence example: When his friend showed surprise that he arrived on time, he said: “I’ve decided I’m going to try not to be late anymore. I’ve turned over a new leaf.”

In other words, the friend is going to start over and change his behaviour in order to be more punctual.

Slide 8:
So remember, if you change your habits or behaviour in a positive way, you can say: “I’ve turned over a new leaf!”

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Image Credits

Slide 6 – young man with police officer
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Courtesy of Breedstock at Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ai-generated-arrest-police-security-8701423/

Slide 7 – young man smiling
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Courtesy of Frank_Reppold at Pixabay
https://unsplash.com/@good_funeral_guide

Regarding the use of illustrations and photographs used in this video:

Royalty Free
The image may be used for almost any business, personal, educational or charitable purpose as long as a credit is published to the creator of the image.

If you are interested in the meaning of TURN OVER A NEW LEAF, and seeing TURN OVER A NEW LEAF in a sentence, be sure to check another entry in the English Idioms dictionary:
Idiom: The Meaning of THROUGH THICK AND THIN