高校外语教学不只着重语言知识的传授，还要帮助培养学生的各种英语能力，为适应现代社会作积极的准备。

开设实用性强的各类英语选修课程，如以语言、文学、哲学、文化、外国概况等为内容的素质课，以社会交际、国际礼仪等为内容的社交课，以英语国家生存常识为内容的出国预备课等，通过英语教学有效地培养学生用英语进行工作沟通和学术交流的能力。

本书对英语讲演的开始阶段、准备过程，到具体讲演技巧逐一做了介绍，以便读者掌握有关讲演的技巧：如何吸引听众、如何展开论点、如何导出结论等；并介绍了讲演语言的特殊性。

本书可作为高校英语选修课教材，书中配备了相应的练习，供读者按自身情况选择使用。

Part Ⅰ Introduction

 1 Overview of Presentation Skills

1.1 Definition of Presentation Skills

1.2 Importance of Presentation Skills

1.3 Essential Qualities of a Good Public Speaker

1.4 Types of Presentations

1.5 Overall Structure of a Presentation

Part Ⅱ Speech Preparation: Getting Started

 2 Initial Considerations

2.1 Analyzing the Audience

2.2 Selecting a Topic

2.3 Selecting a Purpose

2.4 Composing a Thesis Statement

 3 Gathering Supporting Materials

3.1 Sources of Materials

3.2 Types of Supporting Materials

3.3 Tips for Selecting Materials

3.4 Avoiding Plagiarism

Part Ⅲ Speech Preparation: Outlining and Organizing

 4 Outlining

4.1 Preparation Outlines

4.2 Speaking Outlines

4.3 Sentence, Phrase, and Key-word Outlines

 5 Developing an Attention-getting Introduction

5.1 Major Types ot7 Attention Getters

5.2 Establishing Credibility

5.3 Providing a Purpose

5.4 Stating Your Thesis

5.5 Previewing Main Points

5.6 Putting the Introduction Together

 6 Organizing the Body of the Presentation

6.1 Guidelines for Determining Main Points

6.2 Organizing the Main Points

6.3 Organizing Supporting Materials

 7 Developing the Conclusion

7.1 Signaling Your Conclusion

7.2 Repeating the Topic, Purpose and Thesis

7.3 Reviewing the Main Points

7.4 Closing Your Presentation

7.5 Transitioning to Questions

7.6 Putting the Conclusion Together

 8 Connectives

8.1 Transitions

8.2 Internal Previews

8.3 Internal Summaries

8.4 Signposts

Part Ⅳ Presenting the Speech

 9 Presenting with Effective Language

9.1 Style of the Presentation Language

9.2 Tips for Using Language Effectively

 10 Using Visual Aids Effectively

10.1 Advantages of Visual Aids

10.2 Types of Visual Aids

10.3 Tips for Designing PowerPoint Slides

10.4 Tips for Using PowerPoint Slides

 11 Delivering a Speech Effectively

11.1 Qualities of Effective Delivery

11.2 Methods of Delivery

11.3 Vocal Elements in Delivery--Making Effective Use of Your Voice

11.4 Physical Elements in Delivery--Making Effective Use of Your Body

11.5 Practicing Delivery

11.6 Overcoming Speech Anxiety

 12 Handling Audience's Questions Effectively

12.1 Tips for Handling Questions Effectively

12.2 Summary of the Chapter

Part Ⅴ Major Types of Presentations

 13 Informative'Presentations

13.1 Types of Informative Presentations

13.2 Tips for Informative Presentations

13.3 Sample Informative Speech with Commentary

 14 Persuasive Presentations

14.1 Types of Persuasive Presentations

14.2 Organizational Patterns for Persuasive Presentations

14.3 Methods of Persuasion

14.4 Sample Persuasive Speech with Commentary

 15 Presentations on Special Occasions

15.1 Speeches of Introduction

15.2 Speeches of Presentation

15.3 Speeches of Acceptance

15.4 Commemorative Speeches

15.5 After-dinner Speeches

Answers to Exercises

Appendix Ⅰ Sample Complete Presentations and Famous Speeches

Appendix Ⅱ Famous Sayings and Quotations

Appendix Ⅲ A List of Mispronounced Words by Chinese Students

Appendix Ⅳ Detailed Contents

Appendix Ⅴ Bibliography