ESL Podcast 644 - Giving a Successful Presentation

packed house - a very large audience that fills every seat in an auditorium or stadium; an event with very high attendance where every ticket has been sold or every seat has been taken

Musicians enjoy playing for a packed house because they can feel the energy of the large audience.

hit - something that is very successful and popular; something that did exactly what it was supposed to and is well-liked by everyone or almost everyone

The singer had a major hit back in 1997, but she hasn't recorded any good songs since then.

to clamor - to ask for something in a very loud way; to make a lot of noise while demanding something or insisting on having something

All the kids were clamoring for more ice cream.

reception - the way something or someone is received; the way people react to someone or something

As the host, it's my responsibility to give my guests a warm, inviting reception.

on the edge of (one's) seat - very interested and eager to hear or see something; filled with anticipation to know what will happen or what will be said next

That movie was so exciting! We were on the edge of our seats for the entire two hours.

to gain traction - to have more success; to get better or faster; to begin to receive greater acceptance

After writing several journal articles, their ideas are finally beginning to gain traction among other researchers.

hooked - addicted; liking something and needing and wanting more of it

Which TV shows are you hooked on?

could have heard a pin drop - a phrase used to describe a situation where everyone is very quiet, usually because everyone is very interested in something and wants to hear what will happen next

In the moment before the award recipient was announced, everyone became very quiet and you could have heard a pin drop.

main point - one of the most important things in a speech or written text

His essay was so disorganized that it was hard to identify the main points.

undoubtedly - without a doubt; clearly; obviously

Helen undoubtedly remembers that moment as the most embarrassing day of her life.

highlight - the best part of something; the most interesting, beautiful or important part of something

Philippe didn't have time to read the book for class, so he asked his classmates to tell him about the highlights.

in shock - very surprised by something, often unable to fully understand or accept it

After the president's unexpected death, many people were in shock for days.

to tweak (something) - to make minor revisions; to make small changes to something while leaving most of it the same

I have a few ideas for how we can tweak this design to make it even better.

Q&A - question and answer; the part of a presentation where the audience members are allowed to ask questions and the speaker tries to answer them

The speaker allotted 20 minutes for Q&A after her presentation, but it wasn't enough time to answer everyone's questions.

adoring public - an audience that likes and admires someone or something very much

Do you ever wonder what it would feel like to be famous and have an adoring public?