Presenting Pt 2 – Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terminology (maybe not that bad after all)

Acronyms, abbreviations and terminology – none of these are inventions of modern life; they’ve been around as long as the spoken word.  Why do we use them?  Well we use acronyms to help us remember terms, abbreviations for convenience so we don’t need to keep repeating a string of words and terminology is useful when talking about subjects in a specific field or discipline.  But how about using them in presentations?

Most books or training sessions tell you never to use terminology, always avoid jargon, cut out all acronyms and explain all abbreviations.  Often this is good sound advice and it is advice I would also give unless…

Unless there is a need to use acronyms, abbreviations or terminology.  The simple fact is that they exist for a reason like all aspects of language; they exist because they help us communicate.  Presenting is about communicating and avoiding terminology or abbreviations could actually have a negative affect on the quality or your presentation.

Let me be clear at this point, I am not saying that you should fill your presentation with all sorts of acronyms or terminology.  Absolutely not.  What I am saying is not to avoid them if they actually help you communicate with your audience.  It’s a simple matter of following some basics guidelines.

1.   What language does your audience speak?  Even if your audience speaks them same regional language they may not speak the same technical or functional language.  Doctors will be very familiar with medical terms, accountants with economic terms.  Put them together they will adapt their language to be understood.  Find out what language your audience speaks and adapt your language to be understood by all.
2. Always explain.  Even when you have adapted your language do not take it for granted that any acronym is understood by all.  Just as you would if you were writing a document, always explain what the acronym stands for the first time you use it.
3. Don’t hide behind your acronyms, abbreviations or terminology.  If you don’t know what they mean don’t use them.
4. Use  appropriately.  Acronyms can be useful to shorten terms and help the listener remember, use it when that would benefit your presentation.

Finally always read through your notes and ask a friend to do the same.  Do they get the same message as you and was that the message you intended to deliver?  If not simplify your language.