How to have a seminar in class

HOW TO HAVE A SEMINAR IN CLASS

(Mr. Ibnu_Semarang State Senior High School 2)

There are three main parts that have responsibilities in conducting a seminar. They are a moderator, a presenter, and a secretary. Let’s take a look their jobs.

1.  Moderator

a.   Introducing the name. example:

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Jody, Setyawan Jody, and I have a great honor to be a moderator in this seminar/discussion, today.

b.  Informing the curriculum vitae of the presenter-ex. education background, working experiences, achievement, etc. example:

Ladies and gentlemen, in this very special occasion, I would like to introduce the speaker/presenter to you. His name is Mr. Gunawan, Agung Gunawan. He is from Semarang, he works in…../he studies at…./he writes some… Mr Gunawan is going to present a topic on “………title…….”. Mr. Gunawan, the floor is yours!.

If the speaker/presenter is more than one, moderator can introduce one by one, including the topics he/she wants to present.

(Note: State the presenter’s family name in the first time. Don’t state Mr/Mrs followed by first name! It’s not polite for western culture)

c.   After the presenter/s finish/es presenting the topic, the moderator orders the audience to ask questions or give a comment. Inform the rules how to ask! Ex. The audience should raise a hand, say the name and institution. Example:

Thank you, Mr. Gunawan.

Ladies and Gentlemen, that was the presentation from Mr. Gunawan with the topic “….” Now let’s continue to the session “Questions and Answers”. Before you ask questions or give comment, please raise your hand, mention your name and institution.  For the first session, I’d like to give it to three people. Yes, please the lady on the right/ the man with glasses/ the lady in red dress, etc.

If the audience who wants to ask questions forgets to mention his/her name, moderator has to stop his/her questions and says:

Excuse me sir/madam, your name and your institution.

If the question is not clear, moderator can ask the audience to repeat it by saying:

Excuse me sir/madam, would you please rephrase your question?(Don’t say: Would you please repeat the question?)

If the presenter has answered the question and the audience does not respond, the moderator can ask him/her by saying:

Excuse me sir/madam, does that answer your question?

Excuse me sir/madam, may we go on?

(Don’t say: Is it clear?, Do you understand? , or Are you satisfied?)

When the first session is over, the moderator can continue to the second session. Example:

Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s go on to the second session of questions and answers. I would like to give it to 2/3 people only.

After the all the questions and answers finish, the moderator can ask the secretary to read the summary of presentation/discussion. Example:

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have finished with the second session of questions and answers. Let’s listen the summary from the secretary. The secretary, please!

After the secretary finishes reading the summary, the moderator can close the seminar. Example:

Thank you, secretary. Ladies and Gentlemen, before we close: Let’s give a big applause to Mr. Gunawan. Thank you.

2.  PRESENTER

a.   Introducing yourself.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Gunawan, Agung Gunawan. I’m a/an…..(profession)… I’m studying at…./I’m working in….

Or

Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s an honor to have opportunity to address such a distinguished audience, My name is Gunawan, Agung Gunawan. I’m a/an…..(profession)… I’m studying at…./I’m working in….

b.  Introducing the topic/title

I’d like to talk to you today about…..

I’m going to present …..

I’m going to explain a little bit about….

I’m going to inform you about…..

The focus of my presentation is…..

c.   Stating the purpose

The purpose of this talk is to update you on………

The purpose of this talk is to give the background of…..

We are here to learn about……..

d.  Stating the length

I shall only take 30 minutes of your time.

This should only last 30 minutes

e.   Stating the outline/main part

I’ve divided my presentation into three parts/ sections.

The subject can be looked at under the following headings. They are….,….,and…..

We can break this area down into the following fields. Firstly is…,Secondly is….and Thirdly is...

f.    Informing the question time

I’d be glad to answer any questions at the end of my talk.

If you have any questions, please feel free to interrupt.

g.  Checking the Questioner’s satisfaction.

Do I answer your question?

May we go on?

3.  SECRETARY

Secretary’s job is making a summary of what the presenter talked about including an answer in the Question and Answer sessions. Example:

Thank you moderator, ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to read the summary of the presentation as follows….while as the results of questions and answers session 1 are…., the results of questions and answers session 2 are….., the results of questions and answers session 3 are….

Finally the moderator closes the presentation/seminar.

-----Let’s try-----