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How to Write a Presentation of a Book

How to Write an Eighth Grade Book Report

How to Write an Eighth Grade Book Report

Book presentations are a staple of the educational process. Book reports and presentations help show that you comprehended the book and can apply that knowledge in a constructive way. Writing a book presentation requires an understanding of basic grammar and writing rules while also giving you some creative freedom in how you want to tackle the subject matter. Writing book presentations is likely something you'll have to do multiple times during your educational career.

Read the book you're writing the presentation on from cover-to-cover. Don't rely on abbreviated notes or other people's summaries of the story because you'll miss out on both the author's own voice as well as possibly vital story points.

Pick an approach for your presentation. If you will actually be discussing the book in front of the class, you can write a presentation in first-person perspective as a character from the book. A more traditional approach is a third-person narrative so you can discuss the story, characters and author from a more neutral viewpoint.

Write a brief overview of the book and discuss any importance it has to history or to culture. Include the year it was published, number of pages and what genre the book falls under.

Describe each of the main characters in the book and talk about how each influences the story.

Provide an explanation of your perceptions and thoughts regarding the book. While the rest of your presentation may be in third-person, you can usually write this section in first-person since you are discussing your own specific thoughts and feelings.

Conclude the presentation with a closing paragraph discussing the most important lessons learned from the book and what you think the most important message is that you gained from it.

  • Some book presentation assignments will have very specific requirements regarding structure and style. Review the criteria thoroughly before starting your presentation to ensure you will be in compliance with all requirements.

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Michael Davidson started writing screenplays in 2003 and has had a screenplay professionally produced. He has also studied martial arts since 1990 and has worked as a licensed security specialist. Davidson has written articles for various websites. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in advertising.

How to Make a Book Presentation: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you preparing to give a book presentation whether you’re a student or an aspiring author, delivering an engaging book presentation is a crucial skill. to help you ace your next presentation, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide filled with tips and tricks. let’s get started.

How to Make a Book Presentation: A Comprehensive Guide

What is a book presentation?

A book presentation is an opportunity to introduce and discuss a specific book to an audience. It involves summarizing the plot, discussing the main themes, and sharing your personal insights. Whether you’re presenting for academic purposes or promoting your own book, a well-organized and captivating book presentation can leave a lasting impression.

Step 1: Choose the right book

The first step in making a book presentation is selecting the right book. Consider your audience, the purpose of the presentation, and your own interests. Choose a book that aligns with these factors to ensure you’ll be motivated and passionate throughout the process.

Step 2: Read and analyze the book

Before you can effectively present a book, you need to thoroughly read and analyze it. Take notes on important plot points, characters, themes, and any significant literary devices used. This will help you provide a comprehensive overview in your presentation.

Step 3: Create an outline

An outline acts as the backbone of your book presentation. It helps you organize your thoughts and ensures a logical flow of information. Divide your presentation into sections such as introduction, plot summary, themes, characters, and your personal analysis. This will make it easier for your audience to follow along.

Step 4: Prepare visuals

Visual aids can greatly enhance your book presentation. Consider creating slides or posters that include images, quotations, and key points from the book. These visuals will not only engage your audience but also help you remember important details during the presentation.

Step 5: Practice, practice, practice

Delivering a polished book presentation requires practice. Familiarize yourself with the content, timing, and transitions. Practice in front of a mirror or record yourself to evaluate your body language, voice modulation, and overall presentation style.

Step 6: Engage your audience

An effective book presentation involves active audience engagement. Encourage questions and discussions throughout your presentation. You can also include interactive activities like quizzes or group discussions to make it more dynamic and interactive.

Step 7: Be confident and enthusiastic

Confidence and enthusiasm are key to delivering a successful book presentation. Stand tall, make eye contact, and use a clear and confident voice. Let your passion for the book shine through, and your audience will be captivated by your presentation.

Step 8: Conclude with a call to action

Wrap up your book presentation with a strong conclusion and a call to action. This can be recommending the book, encouraging further exploration of the author’s works, or even inviting your audience to contribute to a related cause. End on a memorable note that leaves your audience excited to explore the book further.

By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to deliver an engaging and memorable book presentation. Remember to personalize your approach and connect with your audience on a meaningful level. Good luck with your presentation and happy reading!

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Preparing Your Book Presentation: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Authors

presentation of the book means

The days of writing custom works and hearing phrases like “ do my essay for free ” are gone – now you are officially a writer and have your book.

The presentation of a book is one of the most awaited moments for authors after publication. After all, it is the launch of a project that has been worked on for a long time, as well as one of the significant milestones for promoting the author’s brand and the title that has just been published.

There are several ways to present a book, and in this post, we will give you the keys that will allow you to learn how to organize the presentation of your book with the best results and creatively. From the simplest to other longer ones, we will guide you in essential aspects such as creating the speech you will say during this whole act, what to wear, and how to raise other fundamental issues for this significant date.

How to choose the place?

Among the places where you can make your online presentation, we recommend sites related to literature: bookstores, libraries, cultural centers… These are some examples that can host this event. Also, remember that these spaces indeed have experience organizing these events so that everything will be much easier.

As we said, these are the most common spaces. But it is also possible to choose other spaces for the presentation of your book, such as a coffee shop or an environment linked to the author (such as his or her workplace). However, we recommend that you make sure that there is a room with the capacity to host this event, with adequate power, and that it allows the public to see without problems.

Making an announcement

Once the space where you will present your book is closed, it is time to let people know that this event will take place. There are several options to communicate this event and gather attendees. Two categories may be interested: journalists and potential readers.

To attract the former, you must use press releases or calls to the media to warn them. The writing of this document can be done by the publisher with whom you have published it. If you take on this mission, remember that the call for journalists has geographical restrictions, so it is best to target those who can attend.

Social networks can also be an excellent channel to capture the attention of potential attendees, especially readers who may be interested in the book. On the one hand, there are organic publications: post announcing the place and the event and launch it from your profile, go to Facebook groups related to literature, and ask your publisher to create the corresponding publication to notify their followers.

How long should an online presentation last? The answer is: “as long as you want”. Each book is different and responds to its characteristics, and so is the event involving its launching. It is not the same as making a private event in which the discussion can extend for hours and hours as a more “formal” one in which the public is unknown.

It is appropriate that the book presentation, including the information given about the author, the production of the work and the dialogue between the writer and the editor or the chosen presenter, lasts up to 40 minutes. This will keep the public’s attention and avoid absences at the end of the event (the moment dedicated to the purchase and signing of copies).

Likewise, it is customary that after the presentation of the work, a question-and-answer session is opened so that attendees can share their doubts with the author. Ideally, this should last between 10 and 15 minutes to not delay the event’s closing.

Taking care of the details

The details make the difference, which is also evident in the presentation of a book—for example, the catering you hire. Depending on the time of day, you can choose between a sweeter snack, including coffee and cakes, or something savorier (focused as a snack that gives way to a more substantial meal). But, thanks to this, you will make people more comfortable for the final phase of this event.

It is also a good idea to know the environment where you will make the presentation so that you can dress in colors similar to this place’s. Also, about the wardrobe, you should know what type of event you want to perform (if it is something more private or public-facing) and choose something more elegant or home.

On the other hand, you can also consider further details for the presentation of the book, such as the presence of music to liven up the waiting of the attendees. At the same time, it begins and ends when the capacity is completed, as well as in the readings of some fragments. In any case, you should coordinate with the space where the event will take place to test the sound equipment.

The presentation

Now it is time to know how to structure the presentation of your book and the aspects you should be very clear about before starting. First of all, unless you are a magician of improvisation, it is better to have an outline of what you will talk about that day, even a speech.

The usual structure of a book presentation is greetings from the presenter, information about the author, information about the book , and an interview in which the most critical aspects of the title are highlighted. After all this, a question-and-answer session with the audience’s participation follows.

Regarding the structure of the presentation, we recommend that you consider those aspects of your book that you want to be highlighted and that must be included in this act.

And most importantly, be yourself and enjoy. After long hours of work on the book, it’s time to reap the rewards!

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Nicholas C. Rossis

Nicholas C. Rossis

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7 Tips to Write a Killer Book Presentation

Jul 11, 2020 | Marketing , My friends' Guest Posts

Daniela McVicker | From the blog of Nicholas C. Rossis, author of science fiction, the Pearseus epic fantasy series and children's books

Sometimes, a book you have written draws enough attention that you are asked to speak about it to an audience. You may be asked to present as a subject expert, talk about your material at a conference or convention, present at a book fair , or give a quick presentation as part of a book signing.

As they say, more people are afraid of public speaking than of death. Which means that most people would prefer being in a casket than giving the obituary.

And now, you’re going to be in front of an audience discussing your written work. For many writers, this is a daunting task, to put it mildly.

Fear of public speaking | From the blog of Nicholas C. Rossis, author of science fiction, the Pearseus epic fantasy series and children's books

What public speaking feels like for most people

Still, with a bit of planning your presentation can be impactful and successful. In fact, as you prepare to make your presentation, you may find that your writing skills are quite useful. You can leverage those skills by following these seven tips to write a killer book presentation.

1. Use Your Storytelling Skills

The people attending your presentation want to know the story behind your book. What motivated you to write it? What was the inspiration behind the characters? Is the book inspired by real-life events? Is there a specific message you are trying to send? How do you go about writing?

That’s a lot of great information to share, but if you give your audience a laundry list of factoids about your book and writing, you’ll likely bore them to tears. Instead, use your writing skills to tell the story of the book . Weave in the most important details in a way that keeps your audience engaged.

Oh, and if you have an upcoming book that’s related to your current one? Weave a bit of a teaser for your new book into your presentation.

2. Add Visuals

Every good presentation has visuals. First, you’ll add an interesting element to your presentation. Visuals make your presentation more engaging . You’ll keep the interest of the visual learners in your audience, and better illustrate the points you are making.

3. Learn About Your Audience

Before you prepare your presentation, consider your audience . First, who are they? What is their demographic? Why are they coming to see you? Is there a particular message you are expected to communicate with them? Are there any questions that you should plan on answering in your presentation? What is it that you want them to take away from the event?

Remember that no presentation should be an exercise in self-indulgence . Your goal should be to meet your audience’s needs by giving them the presentation they are interested in listening to.

4. Write a Presentation That Matches Your Personality

Here’s a bit of a conundrum. You want to cater to your audience, as mentioned above. On the other hand, you also want to be genuine. Your content should interest your audience, but you shouldn’t have to put on a mask to do that .

As a writer, you have your own unique personality. You have a unique voice. Remember, you are presenting yourself. There’s no need to put on a fake persona to do your presentation . This is true, even if your presentation style seems to contradict with the personality of your book.

Instead, consider carefully your personality and demeanor. Then, write a presentation where your true self is an asset to that presentation rather than a distractor. Believe it or not, many seasoned writers find this a challenge. You may need the assistance of a professional editor and proofreader to help you present your true voice. Before you select a professional to help you, though, take a look at online editing services reviews so you make the right choice.

If your personality is a bit on the introverted side, delivering a presentation may feel intimidating. However, it may be easier than you realize. There’s something comfortable about immersing yourself into something you know better than anybody else. You have mastered your own written work. Nobody can interpret it or tell the story behind it as you can. Those facts alone may be enough to help you feel comfortable giving a presentation.

5. Use Action Words

You already know that small changes in your writing can change its impact significantly. For example, it’s more impactful to use a strong verb than an adverb. That’s why the sentence, “He ran out the door very quickly” is not half as effective as, “He bolted out the door.” It’s also why words like victorious, enraged, devastated, embittered, and bubbly help readers visualize your story better than happy, sad, or angry.

The same concept applies to your presentation . Choose verbs over adverbs almost every time you can. Rethink your adjectives. When possible, choose words that most closely describe the moment. Avoid adjectives that can be applied generically to a wide range of situations. For example, the word “happy” could be used to describe somebody who found out that can green beans are on sale. It can also be used to describe somebody who just witnessed the birth of their first child. In the second example, however, the word happy is just insipid.

Finally, use the present tense whenever possible as you write your presentation. When you describe what happens in your book, you want your audience to be in the moment. One rule of thumb to follow is that, if it happened in the present tense in the book, it should happen in the present tense in your presentation.

6. Get Inspiration From Great Presenters And Authors

You won’t be the first author to stand in front of a group for a presentation or question-and-answer session. Many people have done this before. That’s a good thing because you have a wealth of examples to draw from for inspiration. One of the best ways to prepare for your presentation is to watch similar presentations from other authors. The goal isn’t to copy what you see. Instead, it’s to look for elements that make each presentation more engaging and allow the presenter to make an emotional connection with the audience.

Here, the key is choosing the right authors to emulate. As you look for author presentations for inspiration, focus on authors who write in the same genre as you, appeal to a similar demographic, and have a personal style similar to yours.

Once you find presentations to review, take notes. Pay attention to body language, use of words, and tone of voice. Make a note of the most memorable things the author says, and where the audience appears to be most interested.

Finally, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be as polished and perfect as the presenters you see. Many of them have years of experience in presenting their books in a variety of formats across a variety of media channels. It will take time and practice for you to get to that level. In the meantime, the folks coming to see you are already interested in your book and in what you have to say.

7. Be Prepared For Questions

Most book presentations are going to contain some sort of audience participation. Keep this in mind when you write your presentation. How are you going to approach this?

One option is to make a list of questions you believe the audience is likely to have for you. If you think you’re going to be nervous, it could be helpful for you to plan your answers ahead of time.

If your idea of interacting with the audience isn’t so intimidating for you, there are some things you can do to increase that interaction. First, consider leaving a few things out of your presentation. Chances are, at least one curious member of your audience will bring up the point and ask about it. You can then use this as a jumping point to cover that ground.

You can also use a question and answer session as a bit of an intermission. Rather than putting off all audience questions until the end, ask for questions in the middle of your presentation . It could break things up nicely.

Finally, you can turn the tables a bit. Ask your audience questions . What is their favorite plot point? How does the book relate to their lives? Who is their favorite character?

Final Thoughts

It is quite an honor to be asked to give a presentation about your book. This is a great way to let your current readership get to know more about you and your process. You may also be able to increase your reading audience.

At the same time, this can absolutely be a daunting process. Fortunately, you can help yourself immensely with a bit of planning and preparation.

The tips above will help you write a presentation that is engaging and allows you to be yourself. Follow the suggestions above, and your audience will enjoy your presentation thoroughly!

Tweeted from the blog of fantasy, science fiction and children

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I am preparing a book presentation!!!

A book presentation and this is very helpful!

Nicholas C. Rossis

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

Yasmin

Thank you, I am preparing a book presentation and this is very helpful!

Yay! I’m so glad you found it useful 😀

John Maberry

Excellent tips. I’m not afraid of audiences–but that doesn’t mean I can’t do better with them!

I know what you mean. I’m used to public speaking but even so appreciate a few tips!

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How to make a book presentation

When it comes to promoting and selling your publication, book presentations play a major part. Are you interested in finding more about how to create a well-structured presentation ? Luckily, you landed on the right page. This article helps you understand the process behind making a successful presentation in Flipsnack. Just keep in mind the next steps we’re going to debate and enjoy the process. So, to cut a long story short here are 5 useful tips on how to make a book presentation:

  • Select a book. Decide on what book you want to make a presentation .
  • Collect information. Make a research about the author’s biography, reviews, and other books.
  • Start designing the page layouts. Flipsnack offers a fantastic online editor.
  • Add interactive elements. Integrate video, captions, hyperlinks, and other interactive elements in your design.
  • Download or publish it online. Display your book presentation publicly or private.

I was recently asked to design a book promo in both Indesign and Flipsnack, to show publishers how well Flipsnack works for them. I chose one of my favorite authors, Donald Miller.

About Donald Miller

This book presentation is focused on the work of Donald Miller, who usually writes about his life experience and his struggles, in a friendly way. His stories inspire people to fall in love with life and to live it at the highest level. He is better known for the New York Times Best Sellers: “Blue like Jazz”, “Million Miles in a Thousand Years”, but he’s written many other great books. I encourage you to read them.

His most recent publication is Scary Close, and it is the main focus of my book presentation .

Below you can see what I designed.

Because I like how the project turned out, I thought I should give you some tips on how you can make similar book promos.

Using Flipsnack for a book presentation

Flipsnack is a complex tool for creating brochures, newspapers, magazines, and books. Whether you are a professional designer or a high schooler the process of ‘“ how to make a book presentation”  has never been easier. You just have to select a template or create the presentation from scratch, choose the page layouts, to arrange the text and images on the page, add the photos and make it a flipbook . Then publish it and share it on social media or via email with your wide audience. With the help of Flipsnack you’ll be an expert at designing fabulous academic presentations in no time.

What should a book presentation contain?

There is some important information that every book catalog or book promo should contain.  It should present some interesting info that will entice the reader to buy the book. The content shouldn’t be too long or too short. Here are some ideas of what could be included in a book promo:

  • Book presentation
  • Main characters description
  • Other books
  • Interview with the author

Conclude the presentation with a closing paragraph sharing the most important lessons learned from the book and what you consider the most important message that you drew out from it.

Nowadays visual marketing is very important, so try to turn your book presentation into something beautiful, fascinating, with a design that matches the writer’s style.

How to integrate interactive elements in your design

When you design a publication in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. reserve some white space for the interactive elements. Make interactivity a part of your design, and you’ll be surprised of what a big improvement it will bring to your project.

These text blurbs are great for highlighting quotes, for additional information, or for short descriptions. I used captions in the biography section to add some information about Donald Miller’s photos.

What is so great about captions is that you can use them to bring more color and contrast to your designs. Captions will also help you save space, by not revealing all text at once. This way, your design will have room to breathe.

Readers will love to click on captions to see what they reveal. The caption has that element of surprise, that we all love.     

caption

For the book presentation I chose a video tag, through which readers can watch an interview with Miller about his new book “Scary Close”. Tags are a great tool for adding videos or images to a design, because they are small and you can place them anywhere on the page. Just like captions, you can use them to de-clutter a design, prevent visual noise, while keeping all the needed information on the page. To catch the readers’ eyes, tags use a subtle blinking effect.

tags

“Buy This” Button

If you’re showcasing other books of the author you should make it easy for readers to buy them. You can do that by just adding some buy buttons . Insert the Amazon URL, (or any other URL for that matter) and with just one click the user will be able to buy it.

Buy buttons are very easy to use and they are very practical. They can help you sell, and that is the ultimate goal of any book catalog or book presentation.  

buy_button

Video Widget

After you read some paragraphs of an interview you probably become curious about how the writer would say those things. You don’t have to search for videos on Youtube, because with the video widget you can have it play right there on your page. You just have to reserve some space in your design for this. You will not regret it.

videowidget

This is how you can use Flipsnack to create a digital book or interactive experience for readers, which will make them interested in buying the book. Also if you are searching for a platform with a good reputation to sell your work, Flipsnack is the right place for you. Now you can sell and publish your publication in no time. The first step when setting your work for sale is to connect your Flipsnack account with Stripe. The second step is to set a price for the publication. Usually, the price of a digital magazine varies between $3 – $6, depending on the page number of the publication and then c hoose the right preview pages. Make sure the pages included in your preview edition share enough information, so your readers are attracted to purchase it.

After you set your publication for sale, you can find the statistics in the Stats section in your account. With the help of Flipsnack reaching readers from all over the globe has never been easier! Learn more about how to sell your digital magazines here!

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Book Report: Definition, Guidelines, and Advice

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

  • An Introduction to Punctuation
  • Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
  • M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
  • B.A., English, State University of New York

A book report is a written composition or oral presentation that describes, summarizes , and (often, but not always) evaluates a work of fiction or nonfiction .

As Sharon Kingen points out below, a book report is primarily a school exercise, "a means of determining whether or not a student has read a book" ( Teaching Language Arts in Middle Schools , 2000).

Characteristics of a Book Report

Book reports generally follow a basic format that includes the following information:

  • the title of the book and its year of publication
  • the name of the author
  • the genre (type or category) of the book (for example, biography , autobiography , or fiction)
  • the main subject, plot , or theme of the book
  • a brief summary of the key points or ideas treated in the book
  • the reader's response to the book, identifying its apparent strengths and weaknesses
  • brief quotations from the book to support general observations

Examples and Observations

  • "A book report is a way for you to let others know about a book you have read. A good book report will help others decide whether they want to read the book or not." (Ann McCallum, William Strong, and Tina Thoburn, Language Arts Today . McGraw-Hill, 1998)
  • Contrasting Views on Book Reports - "Keep in mind always that a book report is a hybrid, part fact and part fancy. It gives hard information about the book, yet it is your own creation, giving your opinion and judgment of it." (Elvin Ables, Basic Knowledge and Modern Technology . Varsity, 1987) - "Your instructor may occasionally assign a book report . A book report is to be sharply distinguished from a research paper , for it deals with one book in its entirety—not with certain aspects of several books and documents . . .. The book report is also to be clearly distinguished from a book review or a critical essay , for it merely reports on a book without undertaking to compare it with other books or to pass judgment on its value." (Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren, Modern Rhetoric . Harcourt, 1972) - "A book report is a summary of the contents, plot , or thesis of a particular book, . . . preceded by a full bibliographical citation . The writer of a book report is not required to evaluate the author, although he oftentimes does so." (Donald V. Gawronski, History: Meaning and Method . Sernoll, 1967)
  • Quick Tips "I'll give you some tips on how to write a good book report right now. "Tell the name of the book. Tell the name of the author. The Wizard of Oz was written by L. Frank Baum. "Tell if you think he's a good writer. Tell the names of all the characters in the book. Tell what they did. Tell where they went. Tell who they were looking for. Tell what they finally found. Tell how they treated each other. Tell about their feelings. "Tell that you read some to your sister. Tell that she liked it. "Read some to a friend. Then you can even tell that your friend liked it." (Mindy Warshaw Skolsky, Love From Your Friend, Hannah . HarperCollins, 1999)
  • Problems Associated With Book Reports "Typically a book report is a means of determining whether or not a student has read a book. Some teachers also consider these reports as a major part of their composition program. However, there are several problems associated with book reports. First, students can generally find out enough about a book to write a report without actually reading it. Second, book reports tend to be boring to write and boring to read. The writing is usually uninspired because students have no ownership of the task and no commitment to it. Furthermore, book reports are not real-world writing tasks. Only students write book reports." (Sharon Kingen, Teaching Language Arts in Middle Schools: Connecting and Communicating . Lawrence Erlbaum, 2000)
  • The Lighter Side of Book Reports "I took a speed-reading course and read War and Peace in 20 minutes. It involves Russia." (Woody Allen)
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Ms. Rosen Reads

Presenting a book talk, a booktalk cloze sheet, are you unsure what to say in a booktalk.

Watch some booktalks on YouTube: Diary Queen The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate The Giver The Hunger Games The Outsiders

Or follow one these simple outlines. (Feel free to be more creative if you wish. Change any part of these outlines to suit your book or make up your own outline. But don’t fail to present a booktalk because you don’t think you have anything to say, because you do!)

Did you know that GIVE AN INTERESTING FACT? Did you know that GIVE ANOTHER INTERESTING FACT. TITLE by AUTHOR tells all sorts of AN EMOTIVE ADJECTIVE SUCH ‘FASCINATING’  facts about TELL THE TOPIC OF THE BOOK.  I learned that TELL A FACT and TELL ANOTHER FACT. I discovered that TELL A FACT and TELL ANOTHER FACT. If you are interested in TELL THE TOPIC AGAIN, be sure to read this AN EMOTIVE FACT SUCH AS ‘EXTRAORDINARY’ book: TITLE.

Hello!  I read a great book recently called TITLE by AUTHOR. The main character, NAME, lives in BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE SETTING and faces a dilemma: TELL ONE ALTERNATIVE or TELL THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE. There are all sorts of complications. TELL SOME. But at the end, well . . . you’ll have to read the story yourself if you want to find out what happens, but I can tell you that this novel was one of the most AN EMOTIVE ADJECTIVE SUCH AS ‘INTRIGUING’ OR ‘COMPELLING’ novels I’ve read in a long time.  Why don’t you give it a try?

Have you ever felt GIVE AN EMOTION? Have you ever felt GIVE ANOTHER EMOTION. Then you’ll know how the main character feels in the novel TITLE by AUTHOR. NAME OF CHARACTER is GIVE YOUR FIRST EMOTION FROM ABOVE.  DESCRIBE THE CAUSE FOR THE EMOTION. S/he is also GIVE THE SECOND EMOTION FROM ABOVE. DESCRIBE THE CAUSE FOR THE SECOND EMOTION. What should s/he do?  What will s/he do?  Read this EMOTIVE ADJECTIVE SUCH AS ‘SPELLBINDING’ novel to find out!

Now practice your book talk!

Here are the criteria for your presentation:.

Did I get my audience’s attention?

___ Creative beginning

___ Straight-forward beginning

___ Boring beginning

Did I tell what kind of book I chose?

___ Clearly told what type of book

___ Not sure, not clear

___ Didn’t mention it

Did I tell something about the main character or the topic of the book?

___ Included facts and my own opinions

___ Told some facts

___ Didn’t tell much

Did I talk about the setting or the significance of the topic?

___ Told details about when and where the story took place and how it affected the story

___ Told some details

___ Mentioned a few details

Did I tell about an especially interesting part of the story or nonfiction book?

___ Made it sound so interesting that some listeners want to read the book

___ Gave a brief summary

___ Forgot about it

Did I tell who might like this book?

___ Told who might like it and gave reasons

___ Briefly mentioned who might like it

How did I appear?

___ Hair combed, clothes tidy, smiled and looked pleasant, looked at audience

___ Looked down much of the time

___ Looked uninterested

How did I sound?

___ Clear, strong, cheerful voice

___ Little expression in voice

___ Difficult to understand what I said

[This page may be copied for use with students if the following credit is provided: ©2010 Sophie Rosen.]

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2 thoughts on “ Presenting a Book Talk ”

Thanks Ms.Rosen! Helped allot!

Hi Sophie, I’m going to try a couple of your formats for booktalks etc. with some of my students that need a frame or scaffolding. Thanks!!!

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Question: What are the best ways to present a book at a reading or book club?

In-person events continue to be one of the most effective ways authors can reach readers because readers love meeting authors face-to-face. These events give authors the opportunity to discuss and share their work, interact with fans, and create meaningful, long-lasting connections. And, of course, sell more books!

If you are considering adding events such as book signings, speaking engagements, or book club visits to your marketing strategy, here are six steps you can follow to ensure you have a successful event :

1. Know your audience and event format

The length, venue, and expected attendance can all greatly affect an event plan, as can the age and interests of the attendees. For example, a discussion with a small group at a local library or book club meeting is much less formal than a presentation in a ballroom at a large conference. And, the energy level of a presentation to school children is vastly different from one given to a professional organization.

Make sure you have a good contact for the event that can answer any questions and help guide you on the details and expectations. You’ll want to try and get at least 20 minutes of time for your presentation, but no more than an hour. You’ll also want to understand if the event is private and limited to select invitees only, or if it is open to the public.

2. Understand live reading best practices

If the event format allows for a live reading from your book , we recommend keeping it short – 6 to 10 minutes max. This is typically around one-thousand words or less. For fiction and memoir authors, you’ll want to focus on a faster-paced, compelling scene that doesn’t require too much explanation or backstory. The more conflict in the scene, the more gripping the excerpt will be for your audience.

Nonfiction authors should find a passage that demonstrates your expertise on the book’s topics, or solutions you present in the book. If you’re sharing a book of poetry, choose only a few of your favorite poems to read.

Be sure to read loudly and clearly, using your voice to express the tone and emotion of the scene or content, and your eyes to connect with your audience. If you bury your head in your book and speak in a monotone voice, you will quickly lose the interest of your listeners.

Whether you do your reading at the start of your presentation or after some initial discussion is up to you. Just consider what will flow best, keep the audience engaged, and entice them to buy your book.

3. Make the event interactive

As you’re planning the event schedule, it’s important to research how other authors best utilize the time they are given. Attend author events in your area to observe how attendees respond and take note of what you like and what you would improve.

When invited to speak at an event, it’s your job as the guest presenter to entertain, enlighten, excite, or engage. You can do this by including an interactive portion in your presentation. Ideas to engage the audience include conducting a question and answer session, having someone interview you, or creating a pre-planned discussion guide . If you’re up for a more unique approach, do something that ties to your book’s setting, themes, or characters. Maybe you do a cooking demonstration, dress-up as the villain, or host a game.

For children’s presentations, especially, authors must keep the content fun and entertaining, while also sneaking in some educational takeaways. No matter the audience or venue, your goal should be to create a memorable experience.

4. Plan ahead and practice, practice, practice

Once you know how much time you have for your presentation, create an outline of what you plan to do. Audiences may not know you, so are you going to start with a quick introduction of yourself and your book before doing a reading? How much time will you have for questions or for something interactive?

You’ll also want to understand what type of equipment is being provided to you. Will there be a podium and a microphone? What about a small table to display your book? If you plan to show visuals such as a PowerPoint presentation, will there be a projection screen and laptop hook-up provided? What about a wireless mouse to advance the slides? For some events, you might need to bring your own equipment.

Leading up to the event, it’s important to plan out and practice what you’re going to say during the speaking portions of the presentation. It’s a good idea to also write out answers to commonly asked questions such as, “What inspired your to write this book?” or “How long did it take to write it?” You can practice in front of friends or family that will provide honest feedback, or set up your phone or camera to record yourself on video. Whatever you do, don’t leave the planning and preparation to the last minute! You want to appear professional and ready.

5. Promote the event if you can

After the time and date are set, start building awareness for the event if open to the public. You can use your online presence such as a website and social media pages to promote, or announce the upcoming event in the email newsletter sent to your fans. The POEM Method of Book Marketing is an effective approach when wanting to maximize your promotional efforts.

If you’re speaking at a closed or private event, try to have someone take photos or video footage of you while presenting so that you can use these examples to build your speaking credibility and resume. The more events you do, the more opportunities will come your way.

6. Have book copies readily available

While you don’t want your presentation to feel like a big sales pitch, you definitely want to make it as easy as possible for attendees to purchase a copy of your book . If you’re allowed to bring physical copies to sell, make sure you estimate how many are needed based on the expected attendance. Also consider accepting credit card payments to maximize your sales potential. You can have a mobile card reader on hand to accept credit and debit cards, or be prepared to accept electronic payments through platforms like Venmo, PayPal, and Apple Pay.

In-person events provide a great opportunity to offer signed copies, a special discount, or free swag to your fans. If you’re presenting to a book club that has already purchased copies of your book, offer to sign the physical books, send bookplates, or email a link for a free digital download as a thank-you.

In addition to selling books, be sure to have a way for attendees to sign up for your email newsletter. You can have a physical sign-up sheet available, a tablet with an electronic sign-up, or a takeaway such as a bookmark or postcard with instructions on how to sign up online.

How to do a virtual speaking engagement or book club event

Online events have increased in popularity over the last couple of years. They are a great way to connect with readers around the world , and there are many free video conferencing platforms authors can use. Some of the more popular include Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Skype. Here are some tips for making sure your online event is a success:

•  Be in a quiet, private environment •   Be on time and connect early •   Dress appropriately – wear what you would wear for an in-person meeting; no wild patterns/colors or loud jewelry •   Use a simple, tidy background/backdrop – blank wall, organized bookshelf, etc. •   Test out your camera positioning and audio – use the built-in camera and microphone on your tablet or laptop  •   Turn off all phone ringers and notifications •   Close out of all apps and computer programs that aren’t needed •   Hydrate – keep water handy •   Look at your camera to make eye contact during the presentation •   Sit up straight and remain alert/engaged

No matter the type of event, it’s important to be authentic and in the moment. Public speaking and appearances are amazing opportunities to form personal connections and further spread your messages. Always be sure to thank event organizers for including you and attendees for participating.

Photo credit: ljubaphoto   via Getty Images Photo credit: skynesher via Getty Images Photo credit: DGLimages via Getty Images Photo credit: georgeclerk via Getty Images

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These are the best ways. I once attended a book club which was a great experience for me. Reading in such gatherings is different from reading online. There was a huge event where authors advised students to read books.

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8 Steps to Create a Dynamic Presentation from Your Book by Kirsten Holmberg

Posted by Guest Post | Nov 12, 2020 | Blog , Professional Speaking , PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING - MEMBERS ONLY | 0

8 Steps to Create a Dynamic Presentation from Your Book by Kirsten Holmberg

Yet many authors—having poured their expertise into a robust written work—find the task of crafting speeches from their books daunting. Three common challenges include:

  • Deciding what to put into the speech—because it requires leaving something from the book out.
  • A lack of understanding of how the spoken word differs from the written word—and how to best serve a live audience with the right sentence and talk structure.
  • Discomfort with being “on stage” as a speaker due to a preference for the more solitary work of writing.

To leverage speaking as part of your author platform and book publicity efforts, use these steps to craft and refine a talk based on your book:

  • Know your audience. Ideally, you’ll initiate the process of crafting a talk with a particular audience in mind. If you haven’t yet been invited to speak, think about an event where you’d like to speak. Sketch out what you know about the audience: some general demographics, the purpose of the event, why your subject matter is of interest to them—and their underlying need. Don’t assume the audience is identical to the target audience of your book; identify ways they might be different as well as similar.
  • Review (or create) your annotated table of contents. In light of the audience you’ll be addressing, which chapters would most effectively address their needs? It might only be one chapter and probably won’t be more than three. How does your content need to be adapted in light of any differences between the event audience and your book’s target audience? Don’t be afraid to tailor your content to the group; it shows care and fosters connection, through which your message is best conveyed. If you’re not sure, find someone in your network who is similar to the event’s audience and ask them which chapters would be most helpful. Aim to address a felt need with valuable, actionable information.
  • Distill the selected chapters into their key points. Bulletize the key points instead of excerpting sentences or crafting new ones. Trust that you know your content and can speak to it without a full script. Writers rightly care a great deal about the turn of phrase and often want to write out their talks in full sentences. Yet this approach usually results in the speaker reading their talk instead of engaging the audience in a more conversational way; the latter is a profoundly more effective means of conveying the content. If you opt for a full script, take care to use simple sentence structure and common language: industry jargon and complex sentences are impediments to the audience’s ease of understanding.
  • Structure the content to engage—and re-engage—the audience. They will assume your book is interesting if you and your talk are interesting. Hook them quickly; leverage your skills as a writer build and release tension multiple times during your speech. Leave them will a clear, concrete call to action—a step they can take immediately even if they don’t purchase the book. Aim to provide value and maintain a posture of service.
  • Give the audience a gift. Share with them something you’ve learned since the book was published or give them a glimpse from behind the scenes of your book. Reward them for being part of the event by imparting some “insider information” they can’t get from the book. Consider addressing common questions that arise from the book content or sharing reactions from readers.
  • Be human. You’re the subject-matter expert and the audience needs your knowledge. But they also want you to be human. Establish common ground; show them—within the first few minutes—that you understand their needs because you have similar needs. Be willing to share some relevant faults or failings for the sake of conveying empathy for the shared human experience as it relates to your content.
  • Visualize your content. Audiences today are accustomed to visual accompaniment, most often in the form of slides. And slides really should be visual , not merely a list of words to prompt the speaker what to say. As wordsmiths, creating slides may not be a natural strength. Spend the time and energy to craft quality slides; involve friends with complementary skill sets or hire a designer if you lack the skills to do it well. Just as in writing, take care to avoid visual clichés. Check out com for symbols and images. Leverage pictures or graphics from your book where appropriate.
  • Refine the delivery. Your book represents you: your expertise, your thoughts, your story. But when you’re on stage, you represent your book. Merely knowing your subject matter isn’t sufficient for giving a great talk; you need to deliver it in a fashion that is clear, confident, and compelling. Audiences will determine whether they find you (and your book) credible in large part based on how well you present yourself. Plan to practice your speech daily, videotaping yourself several times and taking the time to review and evaluate the footage to identify areas needing improvement (this free rubric is a helpful guide for doing so).

Speaking is an essential component of a successful author platform, driving book sales and increasing visibility in the publishing world.

You’ve written the book you know the world needs; now use your voice to share that message in a spoken format.

About Kirsten Holmberg

Kirsten Holmberg is a public speaking coach and trainer who has worked with TEDx speakers and clients from Fortune 50 companies, including Google, HP, and Oracle. Leveraging two decades of experience in keynote speaking, she equips both new and skilled speakers to achieve maximum impact with their presentations to customers, stakeholders, and audiences of all sizes. Learn more about Kirsten at  www.kirstenholmberg.com .

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kirholmberg

IG:  https://www.instagram.com/kirholmberg/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kirholmberg

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenholmberg/

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How to Structure your Presentation, with Examples

August 3, 2018 - Dom Barnard

For many people the thought of delivering a presentation is a daunting task and brings about a  great deal of nerves . However, if you take some time to understand how effective presentations are structured and then apply this structure to your own presentation, you’ll appear much more confident and relaxed.

Here is our complete guide for structuring your presentation, with examples at the end of the article to demonstrate these points.

Why is structuring a presentation so important?

If you’ve ever sat through a great presentation, you’ll have left feeling either inspired or informed on a given topic. This isn’t because the speaker was the most knowledgeable or motivating person in the world. Instead, it’s because they know how to structure presentations – they have crafted their message in a logical and simple way that has allowed the audience can keep up with them and take away key messages.

Research has supported this, with studies showing that audiences retain structured information  40% more accurately  than unstructured information.

In fact, not only is structuring a presentation important for the benefit of the audience’s understanding, it’s also important for you as the speaker. A good structure helps you remain calm, stay on topic, and avoid any awkward silences.

What will affect your presentation structure?

Generally speaking, there is a natural flow that any decent presentation will follow which we will go into shortly. However, you should be aware that all presentation structures will be different in their own unique way and this will be due to a number of factors, including:

  • Whether you need to deliver any demonstrations
  • How  knowledgeable the audience  already is on the given subject
  • How much interaction you want from the audience
  • Any time constraints there are for your talk
  • What setting you are in
  • Your ability to use any kinds of visual assistance

Before choosing the presentation’s structure answer these questions first:

  • What is your presentation’s aim?
  • Who are the audience?
  • What are the main points your audience should remember afterwards?

When reading the points below, think critically about what things may cause your presentation structure to be slightly different. You can add in certain elements and add more focus to certain moments if that works better for your speech.

Good presentation structure is important for a presentation

What is the typical presentation structure?

This is the usual flow of a presentation, which covers all the vital sections and is a good starting point for yours. It allows your audience to easily follow along and sets out a solid structure you can add your content to.

1. Greet the audience and introduce yourself

Before you start delivering your talk, introduce yourself to the audience and clarify who you are and your relevant expertise. This does not need to be long or incredibly detailed, but will help build an immediate relationship between you and the audience. It gives you the chance to briefly clarify your expertise and why you are worth listening to. This will help establish your ethos so the audience will trust you more and think you’re credible.

Read our tips on  How to Start a Presentation Effectively

2. Introduction

In the introduction you need to explain the subject and purpose of your presentation whilst gaining the audience’s interest and confidence. It’s sometimes helpful to think of your introduction as funnel-shaped to help filter down your topic:

  • Introduce your general topic
  • Explain your topic area
  • State the issues/challenges in this area you will be exploring
  • State your presentation’s purpose – this is the basis of your presentation so ensure that you provide a statement explaining how the topic will be treated, for example, “I will argue that…” or maybe you will “compare”, “analyse”, “evaluate”, “describe” etc.
  • Provide a statement of what you’re hoping the outcome of the presentation will be, for example, “I’m hoping this will be provide you with…”
  • Show a preview of the organisation of your presentation

In this section also explain:

  • The length of the talk.
  • Signal whether you want audience interaction – some presenters prefer the audience to ask questions throughout whereas others allocate a specific section for this.
  • If it applies, inform the audience whether to take notes or whether you will be providing handouts.

The way you structure your introduction can depend on the amount of time you have been given to present: a  sales pitch  may consist of a quick presentation so you may begin with your conclusion and then provide the evidence. Conversely, a speaker presenting their idea for change in the world would be better suited to start with the evidence and then conclude what this means for the audience.

Keep in mind that the main aim of the introduction is to grab the audience’s attention and connect with them.

3. The main body of your talk

The main body of your talk needs to meet the promises you made in the introduction. Depending on the nature of your presentation, clearly segment the different topics you will be discussing, and then work your way through them one at a time – it’s important for everything to be organised logically for the audience to fully understand. There are many different ways to organise your main points, such as, by priority, theme, chronologically etc.

  • Main points should be addressed one by one with supporting evidence and examples.
  • Before moving on to the next point you should provide a mini-summary.
  • Links should be clearly stated between ideas and you must make it clear when you’re moving onto the next point.
  • Allow time for people to take relevant notes and stick to the topics you have prepared beforehand rather than straying too far off topic.

When planning your presentation write a list of main points you want to make and ask yourself “What I am telling the audience? What should they understand from this?” refining your answers this way will help you produce clear messages.

4. Conclusion

In presentations the conclusion is frequently underdeveloped and lacks purpose which is a shame as it’s the best place to reinforce your messages. Typically, your presentation has a specific goal – that could be to convert a number of the audience members into customers, lead to a certain number of enquiries to make people knowledgeable on specific key points, or to motivate them towards a shared goal.

Regardless of what that goal is, be sure to summarise your main points and their implications. This clarifies the overall purpose of your talk and reinforces your reason for being there.

Follow these steps:

  • Signal that it’s nearly the end of your presentation, for example, “As we wrap up/as we wind down the talk…”
  • Restate the topic and purpose of your presentation – “In this speech I wanted to compare…”
  • Summarise the main points, including their implications and conclusions
  • Indicate what is next/a call to action/a thought-provoking takeaway
  • Move on to the last section

5. Thank the audience and invite questions

Conclude your talk by thanking the audience for their time and invite them to  ask any questions  they may have. As mentioned earlier, personal circumstances will affect the structure of your presentation.

Many presenters prefer to make the Q&A session the key part of their talk and try to speed through the main body of the presentation. This is totally fine, but it is still best to focus on delivering some sort of initial presentation to set the tone and topics for discussion in the Q&A.

Questions being asked after a presentation

Other common presentation structures

The above was a description of a basic presentation, here are some more specific presentation layouts:

Demonstration

Use the demonstration structure when you have something useful to show. This is usually used when you want to show how a product works. Steve Jobs frequently used this technique in his presentations.

  • Explain why the product is valuable.
  • Describe why the product is necessary.
  • Explain what problems it can solve for the audience.
  • Demonstrate the product  to support what you’ve been saying.
  • Make suggestions of other things it can do to make the audience curious.

Problem-solution

This structure is particularly useful in persuading the audience.

  • Briefly frame the issue.
  • Go into the issue in detail showing why it ‘s such a problem. Use logos and pathos for this – the logical and emotional appeals.
  • Provide the solution and explain why this would also help the audience.
  • Call to action – something you want the audience to do which is straightforward and pertinent to the solution.

Storytelling

As well as incorporating  stories in your presentation , you can organise your whole presentation as a story. There are lots of different type of story structures you can use – a popular choice is the monomyth – the hero’s journey. In a monomyth, a hero goes on a difficult journey or takes on a challenge – they move from the familiar into the unknown. After facing obstacles and ultimately succeeding the hero returns home, transformed and with newfound wisdom.

Storytelling for Business Success  webinar , where well-know storyteller Javier Bernad shares strategies for crafting compelling narratives.

Another popular choice for using a story to structure your presentation is in media ras (in the middle of thing). In this type of story you launch right into the action by providing a snippet/teaser of what’s happening and then you start explaining the events that led to that event. This is engaging because you’re starting your story at the most exciting part which will make the audience curious – they’ll want to know how you got there.

  • Great storytelling: Examples from Alibaba Founder, Jack Ma

Remaining method

The remaining method structure is good for situations where you’re presenting your perspective on a controversial topic which has split people’s opinions.

  • Go into the issue in detail showing why it’s such a problem – use logos and pathos.
  • Rebut your opponents’ solutions  – explain why their solutions could be useful because the audience will see this as fair and will therefore think you’re trustworthy, and then explain why you think these solutions are not valid.
  • After you’ve presented all the alternatives provide your solution, the remaining solution. This is very persuasive because it looks like the winning idea, especially with the audience believing that you’re fair and trustworthy.

Transitions

When delivering presentations it’s important for your words and ideas to flow so your audience can understand how everything links together and why it’s all relevant. This can be done  using speech transitions  which are words and phrases that allow you to smoothly move from one point to another so that your speech flows and your presentation is unified.

Transitions can be one word, a phrase or a full sentence – there are many different forms, here are some examples:

Moving from the introduction to the first point

Signify to the audience that you will now begin discussing the first main point:

  • Now that you’re aware of the overview, let’s begin with…
  • First, let’s begin with…
  • I will first cover…
  • My first point covers…
  • To get started, let’s look at…

Shifting between similar points

Move from one point to a similar one:

  • In the same way…
  • Likewise…
  • Equally…
  • This is similar to…
  • Similarly…

Internal summaries

Internal summarising consists of summarising before moving on to the next point. You must inform the audience:

  • What part of the presentation you covered – “In the first part of this speech we’ve covered…”
  • What the key points were – “Precisely how…”
  • How this links in with the overall presentation – “So that’s the context…”
  • What you’re moving on to – “Now I’d like to move on to the second part of presentation which looks at…”

Physical movement

You can move your body and your standing location when you transition to another point. The audience find it easier to follow your presentation and movement will increase their interest.

A common technique for incorporating movement into your presentation is to:

  • Start your introduction by standing in the centre of the stage.
  • For your first point you stand on the left side of the stage.
  • You discuss your second point from the centre again.
  • You stand on the right side of the stage for your third point.
  • The conclusion occurs in the centre.

Key slides for your presentation

Slides are a useful tool for most presentations: they can greatly assist in the delivery of your message and help the audience follow along with what you are saying. Key slides include:

  • An intro slide outlining your ideas
  • A  summary slide  with core points to remember
  • High quality image slides to supplement what you are saying

There are some presenters who choose not to use slides at all, though this is more of a rarity. Slides can be a powerful tool if used properly, but the problem is that many fail to do just that. Here are some golden rules to follow when using slides in a presentation:

  • Don’t over fill them  – your slides are there to assist your speech, rather than be the focal point. They should have as little information as possible, to avoid distracting people from your talk.
  • A picture says a thousand words  – instead of filling a slide with text, instead, focus on one or two images or diagrams to help support and explain the point you are discussing at that time.
  • Make them readable  – depending on the size of your audience, some may not be able to see small text or images, so make everything large enough to fill the space.
  • Don’t rush through slides  – give the audience enough time to digest each slide.

Guy Kawasaki, an entrepreneur and author, suggests that slideshows should follow a  10-20-30 rule :

  • There should be a maximum of 10 slides – people rarely remember more than one concept afterwards so there’s no point overwhelming them with unnecessary information.
  • The presentation should last no longer than 20 minutes as this will leave time for questions and discussion.
  • The font size should be a minimum of 30pt because the audience reads faster than you talk so less information on the slides means that there is less chance of the audience being distracted.

Here are some additional resources for slide design:

  • 7 design tips for effective, beautiful PowerPoint presentations
  • 11 design tips for beautiful presentations
  • 10 tips on how to make slides that communicate your idea

Group Presentations

Group presentations are structured in the same way as presentations with one speaker but usually require more rehearsal and practices.  Clean transitioning between speakers  is very important in producing a presentation that flows well. One way of doing this consists of:

  • Briefly recap on what you covered in your section: “So that was a brief introduction on what health anxiety is and how it can affect somebody”
  • Introduce the next speaker in the team and explain what they will discuss: “Now Elnaz will talk about the prevalence of health anxiety.”
  • Then end by looking at the next speaker, gesturing towards them and saying their name: “Elnaz”.
  • The next speaker should acknowledge this with a quick: “Thank you Joe.”

From this example you can see how the different sections of the presentations link which makes it easier for the audience to follow and remain engaged.

Example of great presentation structure and delivery

Having examples of great presentations will help inspire your own structures, here are a few such examples, each unique and inspiring in their own way.

How Google Works – by Eric Schmidt

This presentation by ex-Google CEO  Eric Schmidt  demonstrates some of the most important lessons he and his team have learnt with regards to working with some of the most talented individuals they hired. The simplistic yet cohesive style of all of the slides is something to be appreciated. They are relatively straightforward, yet add power and clarity to the narrative of the presentation.

Start with why – by Simon Sinek

Since being released in 2009, this presentation has been viewed almost four million times all around the world. The message itself is very powerful, however, it’s not an idea that hasn’t been heard before. What makes this presentation so powerful is the simple message he is getting across, and the straightforward and understandable manner in which he delivers it. Also note that he doesn’t use any slides, just a whiteboard where he creates a simple diagram of his opinion.

The Wisdom of a Third Grade Dropout – by Rick Rigsby

Here’s an example of a presentation given by a relatively unknown individual looking to inspire the next generation of graduates. Rick’s presentation is unique in many ways compared to the two above. Notably, he uses no visual prompts and includes a great deal of humour.

However, what is similar is the structure he uses. He first introduces his message that the wisest man he knew was a third-grade dropout. He then proceeds to deliver his main body of argument, and in the end, concludes with his message. This powerful speech keeps the viewer engaged throughout, through a mixture of heart-warming sentiment, powerful life advice and engaging humour.

As you can see from the examples above, and as it has been expressed throughout, a great presentation structure means analysing the core message of your presentation. Decide on a key message you want to impart the audience with, and then craft an engaging way of delivering it.

By preparing a solid structure, and  practising your talk  beforehand, you can walk into the presentation with confidence and deliver a meaningful message to an interested audience.

It’s important for a presentation to be well-structured so it can have the most impact on your audience. An unstructured presentation can be difficult to follow and even frustrating to listen to. The heart of your speech are your main points supported by evidence and your transitions should assist the movement between points and clarify how everything is linked.

Research suggests that the audience remember the first and last things you say so your introduction and conclusion are vital for reinforcing your points. Essentially, ensure you spend the time structuring your presentation and addressing all of the sections.

  • Grades 6-12
  • School Leaders

Free Attendance Questions Slideshow ✨

What Is a Book Talk? A Classroom Guide to Making Them Work

It’s like a sales pitch for a book.

what is a book talk

You want students to read, but students aren’t interested in cracking a spine. The fix: book talks. A book talk is a sales pitch for a book. They sell students on a character, plot, or theme and encourage them to pick up a new title or check out a new author. Here’s everything you need to know about this fun strategy.

What is a book talk?

A book talk is a short presentation about a book that focuses on convincing others to read it. It’s not a formal book report or review. And it’s more persuasive than expository—think sales and marketing. The goal is to engage potential readers and present a fun, exciting, and even suspenseful book commercial. Book talks can focus on one aspect of a book: character, plot, theme, etc. Whatever the reader really loved about the book and thinks will “sell” it to their audience.

anchor chart about how to lead a book talk

Book Talk Examples

We love these examples of how book talks can be used by teachers for students from elementary school through high school. Literally everyone can use a book talk.

Mr. Rigney talks about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Book talks for teens

Spotlight on Cinder

First grade teacher talks about Elephant and Piggie

Book Talk Benefits

Yes, book talks are fun, but do they work? The short answer is yes, and it’s not just about getting kids to open books.

  • They get kids reading—really reading. To sell their book, students have to know the book and know it well. Their ad will fall flat if they haven’t read the book and can’t talk about it.
  • They get kids sharing reading with others. Reading can be contagious, and book talks are a great way to spread a love of reading throughout your class, one book at a time.
  • They teach note-taking. As students prepare for a book talk, taking notes and using those notes to summarize the story is an important skill they’ll develop.
  • They build presentation skills. The process of reading the book, thinking through how to present it, and practicing are good rehearsal for later presentations.
  • They build listening skills. When students aren’t presenting, they’re listening. The practice of participating in book talks, listening, and asking questions refines students’ listening skills.

How To Choose a Book

The best books for book talks are the ones you like! Help students find a book they want to talk about by:

  • Providing a box of books that are recommended for their grade level, like this list for 4th grade .
  • As you get to know students, slip them a note card with a personalized book recommendation. The personal touch will give them the confidence to know that they can read the book and that it’s a good choice.
  • Provide books by theme, like  Women’s History Month or books about dogs .
  • Start with student interests with books written in first-person and characters that reflect real-world experiences. When students connect with characters, they feel like they’re talking about a friend. Check out this list of diverse titles  for ideas.

anchor chart describing how to give a great book chart using pictures

How To Plan a Book Talk

One: Get a book. Two: Sell it … OK, students need more guidance than that. These nine tips will maximize the book talk format for you or your students:

1. Provide a template

Help students structure a book talk with a template that lets students know that they have all the components of a solid book talk.

2. Don’t give away the ending

Share the story until the climax or a cliff-hanger, and leave students wanting to know what happened next. The exception to this rule may be for a series or book of short stories where incorporating the ending to one story might excite readers about reading more from that author.

3. Jump into the action

Talk about why the book is amazing. Save the author and title until the end to keep the audience wondering, Have I heard of this book?

4. Keep it short

Aim for between 30 seconds and five minutes, depending on your audience.

5. Let your personality shine

Bring your own personality, humor, and voice to the book talk and encourage students to do the same.

6. Prepare while you read

Take notes and place sticky notes at cliff-hangers, quotes, scenes that surprise you, and parts that you connect with.

7. Think about craft

What does the author do to keep you engaged? What will keep a student moving through the story? Are there aspects that the author has mastered, like figurative language or building suspense? Give examples of these to draw readers in.

8. Engage your audience

Ask questions, take a poll, have them guess what will happen next. The author kept you on the edge of your seat, so get your students on the edge of theirs.

9. Practice, practice, practice!

The more students practice, the better they’ll get. Plus, unlike your students, who take your class only once, you can perfect a book talk and give it year after year.

bulletin board with book talks written on it and lists of books

Level Up Book Talks

Already do book talks? Here are some ways to kick it up a notch:

  • Challenge your students to give a book talk about a book they don’t like. Can they convince people that they actually liked the book? Or can they convince people to read a book just to see how bad it really is?
  • Book talk speed dating: Have students create a short book talk and then meet with their peers to try to sell their book in a speed-dating format.
  • Picture-book talks: Challenge older students to hone their presentation skills by having them give a book talk on a  picture book .
  • Peer review: Create a rubric or checklist (like  this one ) and have students give each other feedback.

Come and share your book talk ideas in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

For more articles like this, sign up for our newsletters to find out when they’re posted.

What is a book talk and how can you use them in the classroom? Here's our guide full of examples, tips, and ideas.

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  • The Deeper Meaning of the Presentation in the Temple

By Clement Harrold

For many Catholics, the fourth joyful mystery—the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple—can be a difficult scene to meditate on. What’s the episode about, anyway? And what might be its deeper meaning?

Beginning with the first question, it’s important to remember that the Presentation described in Luke 2:22-38 is not the circumcision of Jesus. That already took place eight days after His birth. Rather, the Presentation took place in order to fulfill two different dictates of the Mosaic Law.

The first of these, drawn from Leviticus 12, mandated that mothers needed to be purified forty days after giving birth to a male child. This is why the Presentation is celebrated in the Church’s calendar on February 2nd—also known as “Candlemas,” an allusion to Simeon’s words about the boy Jesus being “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32)—because the event takes place forty days after the nativity (counting December 25 as day one).

In order to make the purification, the mother in question was required to sacrifice a lamb as well as either a pigeon or a turtledove. The law made provision, however, for those families who were too poor to afford a lamb, in which case they could sacrifice two pigeons or two turtledoves instead. St. Luke goes out of his way to inform the reader that this is exactly what the Holy Family did, thereby reminding us of their material poverty (see Lk 2:24).

The second precept of the Mosaic Law which Mary and Joseph were following is the requirement from Exodus 13:2 that all firstborns be consecrated to God in a special way. More specifically, this ritual rested on the understanding that the firstborn naturally belonged to God, and so the child’s human parents were expected to “redeem” (from the Latin redimō , meaning to “buy back”) their child by paying five shekels to the priest.

All of this helps us to see that the Presentation in the Temple was about two important things: (1) the purification of Mary and (2) the redemption of baby Jesus. So far so good. But there are two other elements here which are worth paying attention to. For one thing, the Mosaic Law nowhere demanded that the purification or the redemption take place within the Temple. This means that the Holy Family was being extra devout by going to the Temple for this special day.

Additionally, there is one detail in the Presentation narrative which is startling for its absence. While St. Luke does mention that Mary and Joseph bought the two turtledoves, he never takes the time to mention the paying of the five shekels to redeem baby Jesus. In other words, he cites the redeeming-of-the-firstborns precept laid down in Exodus 13:2, but he leaves out a description of this redemption taking place. Why might that be?

For the late Pope Benedict XVI, in his Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives , the answer was obvious. St. Luke leaves a literary silence in the passage in order to drive home the point that the infant Jesus belongs to His Heavenly Father:

Evidently Luke intends to say that instead of being “redeemed” and restored to his parents, this child was personally handed over to God in the Temple, given over completely to God. . . . Luke has nothing to say regarding the act of “redemption” prescribed by the law. In its place we find the exact opposite: the child is handed over to God, and from now on belongs to him completely. (p. 3)

Understanding this detail can help us bring the fourth joyful mystery to life in a new way. The Presentation isn’t just another boring religious ritual. On the contrary, it is a deeply symbolic moment pointing to Jesus’s divine identity, and to Mary and Joseph’s perfect cooperation with His divine mission.

Further Reading:

http://jimmyakin.com/how-the-accounts-of-jesus-childhood-fit-together

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/whats-happening-at-the-presentation-of-the-lord

Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives (Image, 2012)

Clement Harrold is a graduate student in theology at the University of Notre Dame. His writings have appeared in  First Things ,  Church Life Journal ,  Crisis Magazine , and the  Washington Examiner . He earned his bachelor's degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2021.

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  • Dead Sea Scrolls On-Line
  • Like the Early Christians, We Should Learn to See Again the Gospel as… Fresh, Attractive.
  • Holy Land, Happy Landings
  • Becoming little in order to be truly wise
  • Behold, I make all things Newman!
  • Who is the Rich Man of Luke 16?
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  • Is Peter the Rock? (Part 3: Some Reasons I Think He Is)
  • Matthias Scheeben on the Mysteries of Christianity (Part 3)
  • Is Peter the Rock? (Part 2: Gundry's Take)
  • Is Peter the Rock? (Part 1)
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  • Matthias Scheeben on the Mysteries of Christianity (Part 1)
  • A Pilgrimage to Our Lady
  • Holy Father
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  • St. Paul Center Pilgrimage and Dr. Hahn’s Talk
  • Dr. Hahn Meets Pope On Rome Pilgrimage!
  • Dr. David Warner, 1955-2010
  • Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Barron discuss Modernity, the Bible and Theology
  • Top Vatican Official Praises Scott Hahn
  • Break Dancing
  • Turn, Turn, Turn
  • Rome & Assisi Pilgrimage!
  • The Paschal Mystery
  • Rome Sweet Home
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  • You Say You Want a Resolution?
  • A True Blessing
  • Signs of Life
  • A Lamp Unto My Feet
  • Journey Through Scripture in Green Bay
  • The Creed: Gateway to Grace
  • Covenant and Communion
  • Bible and the Sacraments in Toledo
  • Facing the Future
  • The Lawler Treasury
  • Bible and the Mass in Toledo
  • Scripture Conference at St. Vincent Seminary
  • A Defining Moment
  • 2009 Letter & Spirit Summer Institute
  • Endings and Beginnings
  • Inspiration and Interpretation
  • Paul the Priest
  • Palms and Circumstance
  • Journey Through Scripture in Toledo
  • First Bible Study of 2009
  • Reno on Recovering the Bible
  • The Acceptable Time
  • Love: A Many-Splendored Mystery
  • Apostle of Hope
  • Synod Wrap Up
  • Drinking Deeply Made Easy
  • Scripture and Liturgy in Heaven…and England
  • A Day Late and a Decade Short
  • I Hear a Symphony: The Many Meanings of “the Word of God”
  • Pope: Synods Fundamental to Church
  • What Is Needed for a Bible Comeback (Part 2)
  • What Is Needed for a Bible Comeback (Part 1)

Authority Self-Publishing

Write A Powerful Book Introduction With These 5 Must-Do Steps + Examples

The first thing you need to know is this: the introduction of a book is, at its essence, a sales letter from you (the author)  to your ideal reader. 

The goal isn’t to dazzle them with your writing skills but to convince them your book is well worth their time. 

By the time we’re done, you’ll know how to write a book introduction that grabs the interest of readers. 

We’ll also see some of the best book introduction examples ever written. 

Let’s dive in!

What Is An Introduction in a Book and Why Have One? 

What should be in the intro to a book , how long should a book introduction be , 1. immediately engage your reader with a story. , 2. clearly illustrate “how it is.” , 3. highlight “what could be” and how., 4. show your credentials. , 5. give your reader a brief outline of your book. .

The introduction of a novel or nonfiction book is where you sell the idea that your book, more than anything similar to it, represents the best use of your reader’s time. 

With nonfiction, you do this by identifying your reader’s problem and showing that you understand. As early as possible in your intro, you want them to think, “This person really knows about a problem I have — and has solved in a way I haven’t tried yet.” 

The introduction is where you convince your reader that your book is just what they need to solve a problem that has been bothering them or standing in their way. 

You and your book are the solutions they’ve been looking for. 

Every introduction is different, but the most effective intros share the following elements: 

  • The hook — where you grab the reader and give them a reason to keep reading
  • Relatable description of a problem — ideally through a story
  • Believable and inspiring revelation of a solution — also via storytelling
  • Just enough mystery to keep your reader wondering (and reading) 
  • Outline of the book — highlighting its main selling points

It’s also important to know what not to put in your introduction. The main thing to remember is eliminating anything that hasn’t earned its place. 

You want no wasted words. No fluff. Nothing that doesn’t contribute to the desired effect. 

The effect, of course, is a reader’s conviction that reading your book will make their life so much better that they must read it.  

The length of your introduction will depend on the following factors: 

  • The length of your book (since you’ll offer a brief outline in your intro); 
  • The need for background information to make your book’s purpose clear;
  • The popularity of your book’s subject. 

As already mentioned, it’s important not to make your introduction any longer than it needs to be. Get your reader hooked, and then get them right to the good stuff. 

How to Write a Book Introduction: 5 Must-Do Steps with Examples 

You can write an outstanding book introduction in five simple steps, each of which we’ll explore below, using some of the best introduction examples to illustrate each one. 

The best way to hook your reader is with a story illustrating a problem they have using a relatable character . 

This character can be a real person whose name you’ve changed to protect their identity. Or it can be an avatar of a real person or a set of people with a similar story. 

The important thing is to make sure this character is believable. Make it someone your ideal reader can easily relate to and even care about (“They’re like me!”). 

When you show how the solution improved their lives, your readers can see themselves in that person. They can believe that if the solution worked for the person in your story, it would work for them. 

Think about the best introductions you’ve ever read. How did the author draw you in? 

The chances are good that they told you a story. They introduced you to a character you could relate to. The more you learned about them, the more you saw yourself in them and wanted to believe your life would get better from reading that book. 

You read about the happy outcome and felt hope that you would experience the same. 

Example from David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell

“…He was a giant, six foot nine at least, wearing a bronze helmet and full body armor. He carried a javelin, a spear, and a sword. An attendant preceded him, carrying a shield. The giant faced the Israelites and shouted out, “Choose you a man and let him come down to me! If he prevail in battle against me and strike me down, we shall be slaves to you. But if I prevail and strike him down, you will be slaves to us and serve us.

“In the Israelite camp, no one moved. Who could win against such a terrifying opponent? Then a shepherd boy who had come down from Bethlehem to bring food to his brothers stepped forward and volunteered. Saul objected: “You cannot go against this Philistine and do battle with him, for you are a lad and he is a man of war from his youth.” But the shepherd was adamant. He had faced more ferocious opponents than this, he argued. “When the lion or the bear would come and carry off a sheep from the herd,” he told Saul, “I would go after him and strike him down and rescue it from his clutches.” Saul had no other options. He relented, and the shepherd boy ran down the hill toward the giant standing in the valley. “Come to me that I may give your flesh to the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the field,” the giant cried out when he saw his opponent approaching. Thus began one of history’s most famous battles. The giant’s name was Goliath. The shepherd boy’s name was David.” 

You want them to know you see “how it is.” You’re intimately familiar with a problem they share, and you know exactly how awful that problem it can be. 

Intimate knowledge involves particulars, not just a hazy, general idea. On the other hand, you don’t want to include less relatable details and risk alienating your reader. 

One way to approach this is to write about a character modeled after yourself. If you’ve had the problem, you know it as well as your ideal reader . You’ve gained insights into this problem. 

You lived with it and suffered from it, but it didn’t beat you. You triumphed, and you want your reader to experience the same victory and the benefits of the solution you discovered. 

Write this story as if you were writing about yourself from someone else’s perspective. 

Start with the problem and clarify that the character you speak about really knows what it’s like to live with that problem. Show them the cost. 

Example from  Speed Reading; Learn to Read a 200+ Page Book in 1 Hour by Kam Knight

“The sheer volume of information the eyes can take in at any moment is incomprehensible. Look around and take note of everything you see. If outside, notice the trees, cars, people, and everything in between. If, sitting at a desk, take note of the pens, paper, notebook, and all the other material in front of you. 

“The mind processes these objects so fast you’re not aware of the processing happen. You simply move your eyes in a direction, and they instantaneously detect and understand what is there.

“When we read, however, things are not as smooth and fluid. It takes time and effort to process words and the meaning conveyed by those words. For many, reading is a demanding activity that consumes a lot of mental energy. For some, it is so demanding, they avoid reading altogether.

“So, the question is, why can’t we process text the same way we process other things in our environment? 

“The truth is we can! …. “ 

You want your reader to see “how it can be” if they apply the solution you offer them in your book. Now that you’ve convinced them you know the problem at least as well as they do, it’s time to 

Show your reader they’re not stuck with “how it is” now. They can be like the example character in your story who applied the solution and saw their life change dramatically for the better. 

You also want them to believe that, just by reading your book, they can easily apply the solution themselves and see the benefits right away. You also want them to think, “This is totally doable for me.” 

No solution, however impressive the results, will draw them in if they don’t see themselves using it or sticking to it. People like solutions that are easy and life-changing. 

The easier you make it sound to start the solution and to stick with it, the more likely your readers are to keep reading — all the way to the end of your book . 

You want them excited about the benefits you describe in your book’s introduction. And you want them hungry to learn more. 

Example from To-Do List Formula: A Stress-Free Guide to Creating To-Do Lists That Work! by Damon Zahariades: 

“…If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I recommend you read this book from beginning to end. You’ll learn why your current approach to task management is failing. You’ll also discover the changes you need to make to meet your deadlines, lower your stress, and find more joy in your daily experience. 

“By the time you finish reading To-Do List Formula: A Stress Free Guide… you’ll know how to create task lists that do more than just display action items. They’ll actually help you get things done. More to the point, they’ll help you get the important things done. That could mean the difference between struggling with chronic stress and self-guilt and enjoying a relaxed, pressure-free workweek.

“You’re about to learn a system that will revolutionize how you approach your work, both at the office and at home.”  

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First Line Generator: 101 Sentences To Get You Started Writing

Give your reader a reason to believe you’re qualified to discuss the problem in-depth and help them apply the solution to get the best possible results. 

So, share something about yourself to build your reader’s confidence in you. 

What experience do you have related to the problem and solution you present in your book? How did you gain the knowledge you have, and why does it matter? What makes you the best person to guide them to an effective long-term solution to this problem? 

You’re writing this book because you believe you’re uniquely well suited to discussing this problem and the particular solution you’re offering. You probably have something in your background that would enhance your credibility in your reader’s eyes. 

Use that. Whether you learned something the hard way, grew up with a rare advantage (or disadvantage), or were fortunate enough to interview someone with an incredible story, share that with your reader. 

If it makes you any better qualified to write this book, it’s worth mentioning. 

Example from The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan: 

“A number of these women—and men—still live in Oak Ridge, Tennessee today. I have had the fascinating and humbling privilege of meeting them, interviewing them, laughing and crying with them, and hearing firsthand their tales of life in a secret city while working on a project whose objective was largely kept from them. Over the years, they have graciously given me their time and suffered through repeated questions and what must have seemed like insane requests to recall moments from their day-to-day activities roughly 70 years ago… I did not only learn about life on the Manhattan Project. I also found myself taken aback by their sense of adventure and  independence, their humility, and their dedication to the preservation of history…. “

While it might seem unnecessary since your introduction comes shortly after your table of contents , great introductions often provide at least a rough outline of the book to give the reader an idea of what to expect and to get them excited about what’s coming up next. 

If your book is divided into parts , here’s a good place to point that out and explain why. 

The outline part of your introduction acts as a tour guide to the rest of your book, pointing out the main attractions at each stop. You want your reader to feel confident that the book has all the information they need to solve the problem you’ve just described. 

Do this right, and your reader will be only too ready to turn the page and start Chapter One. 

Don’t expect your reader to flip back to the table of contents for reassurance that you’ve covered the essentials. They probably won’t. 

Picture a waiter at a nice restaurant describing the night’s special. By the time they’re done, if the special is to your taste, you’re salivating at the sensory details and ready to dive in as soon as the plate hits the table. 

It’s like that. 

Example from The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg: 

“This book is divided into three parts. The first section focuses on how habits emerge within individual lives …

The second part examines the habits of successful companies and organizations …

The third part looks at the habits of societies …

Each chapter revolves around a central argument: Habits can be changed, if we understand how they work.”

Now that you know how to write an introduction for your book, we hope your mind is buzzing with ideas. Take a moment to jot some of them down without editing yourself (that comes later). 

You can also use what you’ve learned here to level up an introduction for a book you’ve already published. 

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Blog Beginner Guides How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

Written by: Krystle Wong Jul 20, 2023

How to make a good presentation

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

presentation of the book means

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

presentation of the book means

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

presentation of the book means

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Peloton Pitch Deck - Conclusion

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

presentation of the book means

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

Venngage Real Time Collaboration

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

presentation of the book means

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

presentation of the book means

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

presentation of the book means

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

presentation of the book means

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

  • Carmine Gallo

presentation of the book means

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

presentation of the book means

  • Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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Basic Parts of a Book: Learn the Names and Meanings

parts of a book

  • DESCRIPTION parts of a book
  • SOURCE Copyright YourDictionary / Owned by YourDictionary

Whether you’re thinking about writing a book or simply want to know more about how books are assembled, learning the parts of a book is a great way to get started. From the front cover to the back, discover the names of the physical parts of a book.

Front Cover of a Book

The front cover of a book is extremely important, whether the work is fiction or nonfiction . Unless someone goes online or to a bookstore specifically seeking out a particular book, the cover is what will capture the attention of potential readers. It should be professionally designed with quality artwork that appeals to the target audience and accurately reflects the content. In addition to appealing graphics, the front cover also includes the author’s name and book title.

Front Matter

The sections of a book prior to the body (the actual book content) are referred to in the publishing industry as front matter.

Books begin with a title page that lists the book’s title and the author’s name. If the book has a subtitle, that is also included on this page. The publisher’s name is sometimes included here as well.

Copyright Information

The page after the title page typically begins with copyright information. It also includes other details relevant to ownership and usage rights. This section typically includes:

  • book title, copyright year and author’s name (XYZ Title. Copyright © 2020 by Mary White)
  • rights statement, ordinarily worded as “all rights reserved”
  • country where the book was printed
  • publisher’s name, address, and website address
  • designer/artist credit for cover and jacket art as well as any illustrations or photographs in the book
  • book details as specified in the Library of Congress (if applicable for the book)
  • International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
  • information about bulk ordering

If the author has dedicated the book to a person or group of individuals, a statement to that effect is generally included on the next page. This information typically appears alone on a page, with no other information.

Table of Contents

If the book has a table of contents , it will appear next. Not all books have a table of contents. Most nonfiction books have a table of contents, while works of fiction, such as novels , often do not include this part.

Body of a Book

The part of a book beyond the front matter is what readers are really interested in — the content of the book itself.

Authors sometimes include information prior to the beginning of the story to provide readers with context to better prepare them to understand certain elements of the book. This feature, called a prologue , is more common with works of fiction, though it can be part of nonfiction books.

Chapters/Content

The body of the book includes the content of the book itself, which is usually presented in the form of chapters. For works of fiction, the body of the book is the actual story as it unfolds. For nonfiction works, the body includes the author’s account of events For some books, the content isn’t broken into chapters. For example, very short children’s books or brief photo books illustrating related subject matter don’t have to be divided into chapters.

Some books have an epilogue, which discusses events that take place after the conclusion of the final chapter. In a work of fiction, an epilogue may provide closure for loose ends in the story. For works of nonfiction, an epilogue may provide real-life information about events related to the subject of the book.

Back Matter

Most books include additional information after the body of the book. This is known as back matter.

Acknowledgments

The most common back matter element is an acknowledgements section, in which the author thanks people who have shown support to them or provided assistance to them while they were writing the book. In this part of a book, the author typically thanks his or her family, editor and others.

If the book is a work of nonfiction , an index is typically included in the back matter section of the book. This section features a list of key terms or items discussed in the book, along with the page number where each can be found.

Biographical information about the author is often included in the back matter of the book, though sometimes it is printed on the inside back cover or the back flap of the book jacket.

Back Cover of a Book

The back cover of a book typically includes a few paragraphs designed to preview the book to readers. It often includes a bit of detail about the content written in a way that is designed to persuade readers that they want to read the book. It may also contain quotes from book reviews or advance praise as a way of further enticing readers to choose the book.

Going Beyond the Parts of a Book

While not all books have the same parts, this is a good overview of the basic sections included in most books. Some types of books have additional parts beyond the ones listed here while others have fewer. Ultimately, the author and the publishing company determine exactly which parts will be included with a particular book. Now that you’re aware of the basic parts of a book, turn your attention to perfecting the writing skills you’ll need to use to write a book. Start by learning about character voice and author’s voice in writing .

iBookBinding - Bookbinding Tutorials & Resources

  • Temporary Issues With iBookBinding’s Email Address
  • A Brief History of Book Burning [iBB Live #17]
  • Kate Holland: Workshop Tour [iBB Podcast #27.2]
  • Book Sculptures, Type Sculptures – Is It OK? [iBB Live #16]
  • Tom McEwan: Bookbinding in Scotland [Bookish Talk #28]

Book-Anatomy-Hardcover-Book-Bookbinding-Diagram

Book Anatomy (Parts of a Book) & Definitions

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In this tutorial we will look at the different parts of a book (the anatomy of the book); understanding the individual parts of a book will make it easier for you when following the rest of our tutorials and will prove to be invaluable in your bookbinding journey.

If you have ever been confused by the jargon used to describe the physical parts of a book, then this video will help. We explain and demystify a series of terms including spine, boards, hinge and joint, leaf, endpapers, book block and plates. Discover the meanings of more book terms at the AbeBooks’ glossary of book terminology: http://bit.ly/nO8hcA .

Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to get access to HD videos of hundreds of Book Binding tutorials and reviews!

My Bible: ABC for Book Collectors by John Carter & Nicholas Barker

presentation of the book means

Probably the most well known of all reference materials on the subject of book anatomy and book collecting terminology, known by many as THE table of contents or the ‘how-to bible’. It contains a complete A-Z of in-depth descriptions on every aspect of antique and modern book collecting including many descriptive texts on book manufacture and the jargon that goes along with it. A must for any book collector, book enthusiast or anyone interested in bookbinding or book related arts, a fantastic read and one that I always keep next to me when teaching — a timeless classic.

Check out reviews, prices and further information here on Amazon.com .

UPDATE: Now in it’s 9 th edition , it’s been updated with the latest web-based terminology which I’ve found very useful in this modern world.

  • Hardcover: 264 pages
  • Publisher: Oak Knoll Pr; 9 edition (July 31, 2016)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1584563524
  • ISBN-13: 978-1584563525
  • Product Dimensions: 1 x 5.2 x 8.2 inches

A short, random selection of topics discussed within this book that might be of use to budding bookbinders:

  • How to tell japon vellum from India proof paper
  • How to take care of pigskin, morocco, or Russian leather
  • Library bindings
  • Plate-numbers
  • Fly-sheet / fly leaf
  • Blank verso

Modern Book Collecting

  • Book Finds: How to Find, Buy, and Sell Used and Rare Books
  • Modern Book Collecting: A Basic Guide to All Aspects of Book Collecting
  • A Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions
  • The Care of Fine Books
  • The home-based bookstore

Photos by Binding Obsession  —  http://bindingobsession.com/parts-of-a-book/

Image by Binding Obsession - http://bindingobsession.com/parts-of-a-book/

 A few more diagrams outlining the parts of a book

Photo by Alibris - http://www.alibris.com/glossary/condition

External Parts of a Book

Dust Jacket

Dust Jacket or Dust Wrapper – First used during the 19th century, the original purpose of the dust jacket was to protect the cover of books from scratches and dust which could have been made from fine leather, linen cloth, silk or other expensive materials.

It wasn’t until after World War I when booksellers and publishers realised the correlation between well designed book cover jackets and book sales, during this time an explosion of book cover designs hit the market; it was around the same time that The British Library Started its Dust Jacket Collection (early 1920’s) which now contains over 11,000 items.

In today’s modern world, dust jackets serve the same purpose but are generally used to host eye-catching artwork designed to lure the reader in and increase sales.

Found only on hardcover books, the dust jacket will normally be made from paper or plastic (or plastic covered paper) with the ends of which wrapped inside the book cover.

  • History and further information on dust jackets on Wikipedia
  • History of the Dust Jacket
  • 75 Vintage Dust Jackets of Classic Books
  • The importance of Dust Jackets
  • Against Dust Jackets
  • No Dust Jackets Required

Book Binding Raised Bands

Book Cover or Book Board – The front and back covers of books are often referred to as book covers or book boards as they are often made of bookbinding board and cover the book.

Joint – The Joint of a book is the small groove which runs vertically down the book itself between the book boards (book cover) and the spine. It bends when the book is opened and is only seen on hardcover books. Also called a French joint or French groove, groove, gully, channel, and outer joint.

Raised Bands – Raised Bands were originally the result of cords (or thongs) used during the sewing process which were affixed to the signatures and used to hold the book covers on. Later on in the binding process the spine or backbone would be covered and the bands would be raised above the rest of the spine. This method of binding is less common today, as a result faux bands are used purely for decorative purposes (see video below).

Tail – The Tail is the bottom part of the book.

Hinge  – The Hinge of a book is the section between the cover boards and the spine. It’s the part that bends when the book is opened.

French Headband example

Headband & Tailbands – Headbands are coloured threads (normally mercerized cotton or silk) which are wrapped around a core of some sort (normally vellum backed with leather) and are then sewn through the signatures, filling space left between the spine and the book block. Their original purpose is to help lessen damage to the book when it is removed from a shelf by it’s headcap. It also helps to some degree in keeping the sections upright. Headbands (and tailbands) are often referred to as endbands.

Modern headbands are used for decorative purposes only and are normally glued to the top of the book block.

In the 12th and early 13th centuries, headbands were combined with a leather tab. Conventional cloth or silk headbands came later in the 16th century

  • Our Headband Gallery
  • Making Bookbinding Headbands Tutorial
  • Making and sewing headbands Video Tutorials

Book Block or Text block  – The block of internal pages that make up the book.

Leather Bookbinding Spine

Spine (textblock spine) – The spine is where the signatures and textblock are bound. Usually the spine will contain important book information so it can be easily found when up on the shelf in book stores or libraries, information might include the book’s title, name of author and publishers name or logo. Also known as the back, and backbone.

A traditional sewn spine will usually be backed, glued and lined with cloth or paper.

Figure 183 - Marking Back of Folded Signatures to Maintain Correct Order

Signatures – Signatures are stacks of two or more pieces of paper which are folded and grouped together ready for sewing. Each of the signatures are bound together individually and later bound together as a whole forming the textblock.

You will only find signatures in hard cover books. Also sometimes referred to as gatherings.

Marbled End Papers Bookbinding

End Paper (End Sheets) – Endpapers are the first and last pages of the book which which glued to the cover boards (front and back). Often these end papers will be of heavier weight and decoratively patterned often marbled with a cloth hinge for reinforcement. Often referred to as a pastedown or end sheets; paste-down is the page which has been glued to the board and the other side is known as a free endpaper

Other than providing improved aesthetics to the internals of the book, end papers or pastedowns also help to counteract the warp of the bookbinding board which happens during the drying stage of apply the cover material.

You will often only find end papers in hard-backed books.

Leaves – Two pages of a book (1 sheet) is referred to as a leaf, front (‘recto’) and back (‘verso’).

Painted Book Fore Edge

Edges / Fore Edge – The edges of the leaves and the textblock as a whole. On more expensive books you will likely find the fore edge has been painted with a hidden painting (known as foredge painting or art) or has gilt edges (smoothed and painted, normally with gold leaf or gold paint).

  • Fore-edge Painting Examples
  • More Fore Edge Paining examples
  • Fore-Edge Paintings: Beauty on the Edge
  • Fore-edge Painting Process
  • Fore-edge painting on Wikipedia
  • Fore-edge painting history

Laid Paper Example from 1758 Book

Wire Lines and Chain Lines – In the early days of paper making wet pulp was laid in a kind of wire mesh frame and the water was shaken out of it, the paper made using this process was called Laid Paper. The wide-spaced lines on the frame were known as chain lines and were typically spaced about 1 inch apart; the closer spaced lines perpendicular to the chainlines were called the wirelines and were typically about 1mm apart.

Laid paper mold

On older books which used paper made via this technique you can visibly see the marks left by the wire and chain lines (see image to the right).

Today it is only very expensive paper which is made in this way, usually by hand.

  • Chain and Wire Lines Info
  • More info on Chain and Wire Lines
  • Laid Paper Chain and Wire Line Photos
  • Laid Paper on Wikipedia

Manuscript – A manuscript is generally referred to as a book that was written by hand.

To better understand the anatomy of a book you can have a look at the following book cutaways which help to further depict the internals of different types of bound books.

Photos Courtesy of Book Arts Web –  http://www.philobiblon.com/bindorama13/

Photo by Whitney Baker, Lawrence, KS, USA. - Source: http://www.philobiblon.com/bindorama13/

How to Understand Book Sizes (video)

Books come in different shapes and sizes. They can be tiny….. or massive. To make a book, the printer takes a sheet of paper and folds and cuts it a number of times to produce different sized leaves. A folio is folded once creating two leaves, while a Quarto is folded twice making four leaves. Each leaf size, and hence book size, is given a different name based on the number of folds required. Today publishers can create a book in any size they wish but terms like Folio and Quarto are still widely used. There are dozens of formal names for book sizes but here are a few of the most commonly used ones. Miniature — the smallest books measuring less than 2″ in height. Often bibles were printed as miniatures so they could be easily carried, children’s books too so they could fit into small hands. Sexagesimo-quarto (64mo) — a book size approximately 2″ x 3″. Quadragesimo-octavo (48mo) — a book size approximately 2 ½” x 4″. Tricesimo-secondo (32mo) — a book size approximately 3 ½” x 5 ½”. Octodecimo (18mo) — a book size approximately 4″ x 6 ½”. Duodecimo (12mo) — these books measure approximately 5 ½” x 7 ½” and require four folds of a paper sheet. You will recognize this size as your typical paperback. Crown Octavo (8vo)  — a book that is approximately 6” x 9” Octavo (8vo) — at roughly 6″ x 9″ tall and requiring three folds, the Octavo is a fairly standard size for small hardcover books. Medium Octavo (8vo)  — a book that is approximately 6″ x 9 ¼”. Royal Octavo (8vo) — a book that is approximately 6 1/2″ x 10″. Imperial Octavo (8vo) — a book that is approximately 8 ¼” x 11 ½”. Quarto — folded twice and having a maximum size of about 9 ½” x 12″, you can tell a Quarto by its mostly squarish shape. Folio (Fo) — at an upward height of 12″ x 19″ the folio is a large upright-shaped book. This format often contain photos, or illustrations Elephant Folio (Fo) — an oversized folio book 23″ to 25″ high. Often these will be art books, or atlases, or like this one designed for teachers to read to a large group of children. Atlas Folio (Fo) — a book that is approximately 25” to 50” tall. Double Elephant Folio (Fo) – a book that is approximately 50” tall or more. Learn more about book sizes at AbeBooks: http://bit.ly/xY96c7 – Source:  //www.youtube.com/watch?v=P66e-6XoM0k

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presentation of the book means

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Let The Little Children Come

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presentation of the book means

Make evangelism fun with our unique child evangelism tools and gospel tracts!

How to explain salvation to a child using the wordless book.

Buy the Wordless Book HERE . 80 cents each.

wordless book 8100a

The gospel colors are a great way to lead a child to salvation.

First used by Charles Spurgeon in 1866, the Wordless Book has become a very popular tool used all over the world to explain the plan of salvation to kids using the gospel colors.

This method of evangelism has been so effective that there are now many variations available. One example is the  Salvation Bracelet .

Wordless Books are not only extremely easy to use, they are also very effective in explaining the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

This guide is based on our version of the book that has 2 gold spreads – one at the beginning, and another at the end. Instructions on how to make this Wordless Book can be found  here .

Click here for more child evangelism resources on God’s  plan of salvation for kids .

Our heart’s desire is to equip churches and individuals with evangelism tools that are fun and effective. If you like this resource, please help us by telling your children’s ministry team and missions pastor about our unique Gospel tools:

A Really Happy Place! Animated Tract

You may also like:

Halloween Tracts

Start by showing the child the  Wordless Book .

wordless book 8100a

  • It tells a very important story using only colors.
  • There are no words.
  • The beginning of the story is the same as the ending.
  • Show the child the Gold spreads at the front and back of the Wordless Book.

Return to the first gold spread to begin sharing the message of salvation. (Note that the second spread should be the dark page.)

Reveal the remaining colors as your presentation proceeds.

What to Say

Here are some key points to cover as you present the gospel using the Wordless Book .

You may need to tailor your gospel presentation to suit the age of your audience.

wordless book 8100descriptiona

Gold reminds me of heaven.

  • There is no sickness, no pain and no hunger
  • No one ever dies
  • Everyone is perfectly happy

Rev 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain.

Rev 21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate having been made from a single pearl. And the street of the city was made of pure gold as clear as glass.

wordless book 8100descriptionb

  • Sins are the things we do that make God unhappy
  • Doing, saying or thinking bad things are sins
  • Telling lies, disobeying your parents, hurting others and being selfish are examples of sins
  • All of us have sinned
  • Because of sin, our hearts are no longer clean
  • God is perfect. Perfectly good, and perfectly clean
  • Because God is perfectly clean, he can only allow those with clean hearts into heaven

Rom 3:23 Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard.

Rom 6:23 The payment for sin is death.

wordless book 8100descriptionc

  • God loves us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to earth
  • Jesus was a man who was different from any other person
  • Jesus is God and never sinned
  • Instead of us being punished, he took our place
  • Jesus died on the cross so that all the wrong things that we have done can be forgiven
  • And on the third day, Jesus became alive again

When Jesus took the punishment for our sins, something amazing happened.

Rom 5:8 But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Rom 6:23 The payment for sin is death. But God gives us the free gift of life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord. Acts 13:30, 31 But God raised him up from the dead! After this, for many days, those who had gone with Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem saw him.

wordless book 8100descriptiond

The amazing thing is that our hearts can now be made clean — even cleaner than this clean page.

  • Admit that we have sinned and ask God to forgive us
  • Believe that Jesus died on the cross to be punished instead of us, and
  • Invite Jesus into our lives to help us turn away from sin

1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done.

When our hearts are made clean, we can be with God.

  • We can become children of God
  • We can call God our Father

We can one day be with God in heaven.

  • You are truly sorry for all the wrong things you have done
  • You truly believe that Jesus took the punishment for your sins
  • You truly want to start a relationship with Jesus to help you turn from all the wrong things you have done and do what is right

John 1:12 But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God.

John 3:16 God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.

Sample Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me. I know that I have sinned. I have done things that are wrong. I believe that you died on the cross to take the punishment for my sins. Please forgive all of my sins and make my heart clean. Please come into my life and help me turn away from doing wrong. Thank you that with a clean heart, I can have a relationship with you now and will one day be with you in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

wordless book 8100descriptione

Green reminds us of things that grow, like grass, leaves and trees.

After praying for forgiveness and for Jesus to come into your life, you now have a special relationship with him.

  • Talking to God
  • Reading God’s word, the Bible, and
  • Obeying him

Click  here  to download PDF instructions.

Children's Gospel Tract - The Most Amazing House

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Why Republicans are calling Walz 'Tampon Tim' — and why Democrats embrace it

Rachel Treisman

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz smiles at the crowd at a campaign rally.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, pictured at a campaign rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday, is getting attention for a law he signed last year requiring public schools to provide free period products. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption

For more on the 2024 election, head to the NPR Network's live updates page.

Republican critics of Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz have given him a new nickname: “Tampon Tim.”

After Vice President Harris announced her pick , Stephen Miller, a former adviser to former President Donald Trump, tweeted , “She actually chose Tampon Tim.” Chaya Raichik, who runs the far-right social media account Libs of TikTok, photoshopped Walz’s face onto a Tampax box.

#TamponTim pic.twitter.com/eBPyEOSWPC — Chaya Raichik (@ChayaRaichik10) August 6, 2024

“Tampon Tim is hands down the best political nickname ever,” tweeted conservative commentator Liz Wheeler. “It’s so… savagely effective. In one word tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about Tim Walz’s dangerous radicalism.”

The moniker refers to a law that Walz, the governor of Minnesota, signed last year, requiring public schools to provide menstrual products — including pads and tampons — to students in 4th through 12th grades.

The products are free for students, with the state paying about $2 per pupil to keep them stocked throughout the school year.

Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris applauds as her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, speaks at Temple University's Liacouras Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Takeaways from Tim Walz's introduction to the national stage

The law, which was the result of years of advocacy by students and their allies, took effect on Jan. 1, though students say the rollout has so far been smoother in some school districts than others .

It makes Minnesota one of 28 states (and Washington D.C.) that have passed laws aimed at giving students access to menstrual products in schools, according to the Alliance for Period Supplies.

The issue enjoys broad popular support: 30 states have eliminated state sales tax on menstrual products, and Trump himself signed a 2018 package that requires federal prisons to provide them.

But Republicans appear to be taking issue with the wording of the legislation, which says the products must be available “to all menstruating students in restrooms regularly used by students.”

Some Minnesota Republicans initially tried to limit the initiative to female-assigned and gender-neutral bathrooms, but were unsuccessful. Even the author of that amendment ultimately voted for the final version of the bill, saying his family members “felt like it was an important issue I should support.”

The bill’s inclusive language reflects that not all people who menstruate are women, and not all women get periods, which was important to those who lobbied for the legislation.

“It will make it more comfortable for everyone … then people can use whatever restroom they want without being worried,” Bramwell Lundquist, then 15, told MPR News last year.

But some in the Republican Party — which has increasingly promoted anti-transgender policies and rhetoric — see that aspect of the bill as a reason to attack Walz.

“Tim Walz is a weird radical liberal,” the MAGA War Room account posted on X, formerly Twitter. “What could be weirder than signing a bill requiring schools to stock tampons in boys' bathrooms?”

Tim Walz has been praised online by supporters for his folksy, midwestern demeanor. Here, Walz and his son, Gus, celebrate while entering his election night party on Aug. 14, 2018 in St Paul, Minnesota.

'Midwestern Nice' and 'Fun Dad' posts abound after Tim Walz is named VP pick

Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt made a similar argument in a Tuesday appearance on Fox News .

“As a woman, I think there is no greater threat to our health than leaders who support gender-transition surgeries for young minors, who support putting tampons in men’s bathrooms in public schools,” she said. “Those are radical policies that Tim Walz supports. He actually signed a bill to do that.”

LGBTQ rights groups have cheered Walz’s selection and praised his track record, which includes a 2023 executive order making Minnesota one of the first states to safeguard access to gender-affirming health care, as dozens of states seek to ban it .

Walz, who once earned the title “ most inspiring teacher ” at the high school where he taught and coached football, hasn’t responded publicly to the “Tampon Tim” taunts. But he had strong words for his Republican opponents on Tuesday night.

“I'll just say it: Donald Trump and JD Vance are creepy and, yes, weird,” he tweeted , repeating the put-down he helped popularize in recent days. “We are not going back.”

Many on the left see “Tampon Tim” as a compliment

Democratic Minnesota Rep. Sandra Feist, the chief sponsor of the bill in the state House, sold it as a "wise investment" , explaining to her colleagues last year that “one out of every 10 menstruating youth miss school” due to a lack of access to menstrual products and resources.

She defended it again in a tweet on Wednesday morning, saying she was grateful to have partnered with Walz to address period poverty .

“This law exemplifies what we can accomplish when we listen to students to address their needs,” she wrote. “Excited to see MN representation at the top of the ticket!”

Feist ended the tweet with the hashtag #TamponTim.

Other Democratic figures have embraced both the hashtag and the policy behind it.

The case for free tampons and pads in schools

The case for free tampons and pads in schools

Many social media users responded that providing tampons in schools isn’t the bad thing that Republicans are making it out to be — and in fact, they see it as the opposite.

Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said it was “nice of the Trump camp to help publicize Gov. Tim Walz’s compassionate and common-sense policy,” adding, “Let’s do this everywhere.”

Former Georgia State Rep. Bee Nguyen said Walz, as a former teacher, understands how the lack of access to menstrual products impacts educational outcomes.

“This makes me an even bigger fan of Tampon Tim,” she added.

Nearly 1 in 4 students have struggled to afford period products in the United States, according to a 2023 study commissioned by Thinx and PERIOD. Experts say period poverty is more than just a hassle : It’s an issue of public and personal health, dignity and more.

The Minnesota students who lobbied for the bill testified last year about having to miss class because they were unable to afford menstrual products, being distracted from schoolwork and tests and feeling that adults didn’t take their concern seriously.

“We cannot learn while we are leaking,” high school student Elif Ozturk, then 16, told a legislative hearing in 2023. “How do we expect our students to carry this burden with them during the school day and still perform well? The number one priority should be to learn, not to find a pad.”

  • menstrual products
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Celebrating 78th Independence Day: 10 slogans that inspired India’s freedom movement

78th india's independence day, 15th august: here are top 10 influential and historic quotes drawn from the powerful speeches of freedom fighters during india's struggle for independence..

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India Independence Day 2024: On August 15, 2024 , India will commemorate its 78th Independence Day , a momentous occasion that marks the end and freedom from about 200 years of British colonial rule.

This year, in 2024, it will be falling on a Thursday, August 15 , under the theme, ‘Viksit Bharat,’ reflecting the current government’s vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, as it will coincide with 100 years of independence .

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Marking the historic day in 1947, the first Prime Minister of Independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru , delivered a speech on the eve of Independence— Tryst with Destiny .  In this momentous address, he proclaimed, “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom,” capturing the struggle and happiness of the newly independent India.

As we mark India’s Independence Day, it’s important to recognise that the day was more than just a political struggle; it was a momentous movement that brought together diverse voices from across the subcontinent.

The speeches delivered by key leaders during the struggle for independence were among the most impactful elements of the freedom struggle, inspiring millions and galvanising the masses towards the common goal of independence.

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10 historic freedom quotes that inspired the Indian Independence Movement:

Here are some influential and historic slogans/quotes drawn from the powerful speeches of freedom fighters during India’s struggle for independence, which only inspired the freedom movement but continue to resonate and inspire all of us today.

1. Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Father of Indian Unrest (1906)

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Credit_ Cherry Gupta_Indian Express)

In 1906, Bal Gangadhar Tilak made a resounding declaration: “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it,” encapsulating the essence of the Indian independence movement, asserting the fundamental right of Indians to self-rule.

Tilak, often referred to as the “Father of Indian Unrest,” was a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress and played a crucial role in mobilising public sentiment against British colonialism, with his advocacy for swaraj (self-governance) inspiring a generation of freedom fighters and marking a significant shift in the Indian struggle for independence.

2. Sarojini Naidu: Nightingale of India (1915)

Sarojni Naidu (Credit: Canva/Cherry Gupta_Indian Express)

In 1915, Sarojini Naidu, known as the Nightingale of India, delivered stirring speeches that resonated deeply with the Indian populace, especially her passionate quote stating, “A country’s greatness lies in its undying ideal of love and sacrifice  that inspire the mothers of the race !”   which highlighted the ideals of compassion and selflessness for contributing to the strength and unity of the nation

Naidu’s eloquence and commitment to the cause made her a prominent female leader within the Indian National Congress, thereby mobilising women in the freedom struggle, where she advocated for both national independence and women’s rights.

Naidu’s poetry and oratory inspired her contemporaries and laid the foundation for future generations of women leaders in India’s independence movement.

3. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya: Education as Empowerment (1916)

Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (Credit: Canva/Cherry Gupta_Indian Express)

In 1916, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya emphasised the vital role of education in nation-building. He asserted, “Knowledge with humility is worthless,” as he championed the idea that knowledge must be accompanied by humility to be truly valuable and impactful in shaping individuals and society. As the founder of Banaras Hindu University, Malaviya’s contributions to educational reform were instrumental in empowering the Indian populace.

Believing that education was the key to social and political awakening, fostering a sense of national identity and purpose, Malaviya’s advocacy for educational reforms helped cultivate a generation of educated leaders who would later play significant roles in the independence movement.

4. Annie Besant: A British ally for India’s freedom (1917)

Annie Besant (Credit_ Canva_Cherry Gupta, Indian Express)

Annie Besant, a British supporter of Indian independence, made significant contributions to the movement in 1917 by declaring,  “Freedom is the birthright of every nation.”  Her advocacy for self-rule and her efforts to garner international support for the Indian cause were crucial in raising awareness about the injustices of colonial rule. Besant’s work helped bridge the gap between Indian nationalists and the international community, highlighting the need for self-determination.

5. Chandra Shekhar Azad: Defiance in the face of Oppression (1928)

Chandra Shekhar Azad (Credit Cherry GuptaIndian Express)

Joining the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1921, Chandra Shekhar Azad was arrested and sentenced to 15 lashes by the British. When brought before the magistrate, he defiantly declared his name as “Azad,” meaning “The Free.”

To avoid getting captured by the British police on February 27, 1931, Azad shot himself by powerfully declaring, “We will face the bullets of the enemy; we are free and will remain free ” (Dushman ki goliyon ka hum samna karenge, Azad hee rahein hain, Azad hee rahenge), thereby exemplifying his fearless attitude towards colonial oppression and inspiring countless Indians with his commitment to fight against British rule by emphasising that freedom was worth any sacrifice.

6. Bhagat Singh: The Revolutionary Spirit (1928)

Bhagat Singh (Credit_ Cherry Gupta_Indian Express)

By the late 1920s, Bhagat Singh emerged as a prominent revolutionary figure, rallying support with his cry of Inquilab Zindabad (Long Live the Revolution) . One of his most powerful assertion, “They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas. They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirit,”  highlighted his unwavering commitment to his revolutionary ideals and the enduring power of thought and belief.

Singh’s radical approach and willingness to embrace violence as a means to achieve independence inspired a new generation of freedom fighters committed to immediate action against British rule.

7. Lala Lajpat Rai: The Lion of Punjab (1928)

Lala Lajpat Rai (Credit_ Cherry Gupta_Indian Express)

Lala Lajpat Rai, known as the “lion of Punjab,” demonstrated unwavering resolve in the face of colonial oppression. “Freedom is not given; it is taken. Fight for your rights,” Lajpat Rai asserted the active role individuals must play in securing their independence by reflecting his belief that true freedom requires active engagement and struggle.

Following a brutal police assault in 1928, Rai’s defiance became a symbol of resistance against British tyranny, and his leadership and sacrifice galvanised public sentiment, reinforcing the resolve of Indians to fight for their rights.

8. Subhash Chandra Bose: A Call for Armed Struggle (1944)

Subhash Chandra Bose (Credit_ Cherry Gupta_Indian Express)

In 1944, Subhas Chandra Bose delivered a powerful speech that underscored the urgent need for armed resistance against British colonial rule. with his iconic declaration, “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom” (tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe azaadi dunga) , resonated deeply with those who advocated for a militant approach to independence.

Bose’s leadership of the Indian National Army marked a significant turning point in the freedom struggle, appealing to individuals disillusioned with non-violent resistance. His call to action inspired many to join the fight for liberation, emphasising that true freedom could only be achieved through sacrifice and determination.

9. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: Unity in Diversity (1940)

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (Credit_ Cherry Gupta_Indian Express)

Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, in his presidential address at the Ramgarh session of the Indian National Congress in 1940, underscored the urgency of the freedom movement.

“I am part of the indivisible unity that is Indian nationality,” demonstrated his vision of a unified India, transcending religious and cultural divides by expressing pride in both his Muslim identity and his Indian nationality.

Azad’s intellectual prowess and leadership were vital in uniting diverse groups within the struggle, fostering a sense of collective purpose among Indians from various backgrounds.

10. Mahatma Gandhi: The Quit India Movement (1942)

Mahatma Gandhi (Credit: Canva/Cherry Gupta_Indian Express)

Finally, during the Quit India Movement in August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi delivered a passionate address urging the nation to “Do or Die” for immediate independence.

His call galvanised widespread protests and civil disobedience, through his philosophy of non-violent resistance, which became central to India’s path to independence, inspiring millions to join the fight against colonial rule and marking a pivotal moment in the struggle for freedom.

Cherry Gupta

Cherry Gupta, a Digital Journalist at The Indian Express, is responsible for crafting compelling narratives, uncovering the latest news and developments, and driving engaging content based on data and trends to boost website traffic and audience engagement. One can connect with her on LinkedIn or by mailing her at [email protected].   ... Read More

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