Presentation pronunciation

What does pronunciation practice for a presentation aim to achieve?

Practicing pronunciation for a presentation does not mean trying to say every word perfectly or without an accent. The goal is to pronounce especially important words clearly and help the audience understand your message. Check pronunciations in advance when mispronouncing a word could undermine your credibility or cause confusion for an audience unfamiliar with it. Stand Up, Speak Out treats pronunciation as the conventional ways words are formed when spoken; it recommends learning the pronunciation of an unfamiliar word and articulating syllables clearly (Chapter 14: Delivering the Speech).

Unlike rehearsing the entire presentation, this practice focuses on specific words and the sentences around them. Vocal delivery and speaking pace are other aspects of a presentation; if you like, you can also read the guide to adjusting your presentation’s vocal tone and the article on planning your presentation’s speaking pace by words per minute.

Preparation before rehearsal

In your presentation script or speaking notes, mark terms the audience may not know, foreign-language words, people’s and organizations’ names, abbreviations, and words that sound similar. Rather than marking every word, prioritize those that could change the meaning or carry the main idea of the presentation.

For each word you mark, ask yourself:

• What does the word mean in this presentation?
• What source can I use to check its pronunciation?
• Can I say the word so that its syllables are clearly audible?

If you are unsure how to pronounce a word, you can listen to audio recordings in online dictionaries; the sources section mentions online dictionaries and audio files as examples. For proper names, it may be helpful to check how the person or organization in question pronounces the name, if that information is available. If sources give different pronunciations, do not declare one form definitively correct; choose what is suitable for your presentation context and, if needed, explain what the term means.

Practice the word in a sentence

First say the word by itself, then say it in the sentence where it will appear in your presentation. Next, rehearse it together with the preceding and following sentences. This lets you check whether a word that sounds clear on its own is also understandable in the flow of a sentence. If you struggle, focus on one thing at a time, such as not skipping a syllable or articulating sounds more clearly.

Recording yourself on your phone is not required. If you choose to make a recording, use it as a tool for listening back. As you listen, ask not only, “Did I say it correctly?” but also, “Could the audience understand this sentence the first time they hear it?” It may help to say a sentence more slowly while practicing; afterward, try it again in the flow of your own presentation.

Sample practice: a hypothetical presentation

The example below is hypothetical. Imagine a student giving a presentation on renewable energy who will use the words “geothermal” and “emissions,” as well as a foreign organization’s name. First, the student checks unfamiliar pronunciations in a dictionary’s audio recording or another suitable source. If they cannot find a pronunciation for the organization’s name, they do not present a form they are unsure about as definite information.

Suppose the student’s slide notes say: “Geothermal energy uses heat from beneath the Earth’s surface. Under certain conditions, this method may help reduce emissions. I’ll now explain the findings of the organization mentioned in the research.” The student first rehearses the marked words one at a time, then the sentences, and finally the complete notes in the flow of the presentation. If “emissions” is unclear in the sentence, they repeat only that sentence and listen to determine whether they need to revisit the word itself or how the sentence is delivered.

Common challenges

I know the word, but I stumble over it when presenting. Instead of repeating the word by itself, practice the sentence that contains it. If needed, break the sentence into shorter sections and then put it back together.

I can say the word clearly, but I’m not sure about its pronunciation. Listen to the audio recording in a speaking dictionary again. If there is more than one pronunciation, check a source that suits your context; do not present a form you are unsure about as definitively correct.

I speak too quickly during rehearsal. Practice the sentence with the difficult word separately and try adjusting your pace so the audience can understand you. Short pauses may help with emphasis and clarity of the message; they do not replace pronunciation. Speaking resources treat pronunciation, pace, and pauses as separate vocal elements to consider in a presentation. University presentation guidelines also include pronunciation among the criteria for evaluating a presentation and recommend rehearsing a speech in front of an audience in advance (Presentation Guidelines).

I often make “uh” or similar sounds. To reduce these filler sounds, try taking a brief silent pause as you speak. The point is not to rush, but to leave yourself a short moment to think.

Final checklist

• I identified important terms, proper names, and abbreviations.
• I checked unfamiliar pronunciations using suitable sources.
• I also rehearsed the words in the sentences where they appear in the presentation.
• I checked whether the syllables are clearly audible.
• I practiced the sentences I found difficult again.
• In my final rehearsal, I considered whether the audience would understand the message.

Frequently asked questions

Should I practice every word separately?

No. Prioritize words that could affect the meaning, that the audience may not know, or that carry the presentation’s main message. Check other words within the sentences and the flow of the presentation.

How can I check my pronunciation?

Listen to the pronunciation of an unfamiliar word in an audio dictionary recording or another suitable source; then rehearse the word in a sentence from your presentation. If sources give different pronunciations, do not declare one form definitively correct. Finally, consider whether the sentence will be clear to the audience.