Intermediate
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+80 XP
Pupils work through this independently

Identifying Purpose of a Presentation

Learn how purpose shapes every choice in a presentation. Distinguish the six key purposes and select the main one for your VET work. Practise with class sorting and write your own purpose statement.

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    1 - Introduction ~5 mins

    Today you will

    • learn six purpose words for a presentation
    • match each purpose to a structure
    • write one sentence saying what your VET presentation is for

    Illustration for IntroductionThe six words are inform, persuade, entertain, instruct, report and reflect.

    Warm-up

    Think of the last video or talk that held your attention. In one word, what was it trying to do?

    2 - Key Concepts ~6 mins

    The purpose is the main job your presentation does. Pick just one main purpose.

    • Inform means helping people understand facts.
    • Persuade means getting people to say yes.
    • Entertain means keeping people laughing or interested.
    • Instruct means teaching people to do something.
    • Report means showing what happened or what the numbers say.
    • Reflect means looking back on what you learned.
    Example

    For a VET talk on custom GAA boot laces, you might inform the examiner how the product works, or persuade them it shows real skill.

    3 - Sort Presentation Purposes ~15 mins

    You will sort eight short presentation briefs into the purpose each one serves. Talk them through as a class first, then sort them in the box below.

    What is this presentation for?

    4 - Common Issues ~4 mins

    Use this sentence frame and these structures when you write your plan.

    The primary purpose is to [purpose word] [audience] so that [one clear outcome].

    PurposeStructure
    InformWhat it is → how it works → key facts → takeaway
    PersuadeProblem → proof → ask
    EntertainHook → story or energy peaks → memorable close
    InstructSteps → check → finish line the audience can repeat
    ReportTimeline or findings → labelled opinion (if any)
    ReflectWhat happened → what I learned → what I would change

    Common issues

    • Two purposes both seem right. Ask what the audience must do or decide at the end. That is your main purpose.
    • You want to pick entertain so it isn't boring. Pick inform or persuade first, then add one fun hook later.

    5 - Portfolio Build ~20 mins

    Portfolio build

    Your goal: Write one sentence that says the main purpose of your VET presentation.
    Time: ~20 minutes
    Task:
    1. Open {{code:Project_Portfolio}}, then {{code:09_specialism}}, then {{code:sm2}}. Open your VET Presentation Plan.
    2. If you have no plan yet, make a document called {{code:sm2_vet_presentation_plan}} with the headings in the box.
    3. Fill in Topic and Audience with one rough line each.
    4. Under Purpose, write one sentence using a starter from the box.
    5. Add two bullets: one structure you will use, and one thing you will leave out.

    Headings: Topic, Audience, Format ideas, Purpose

    Sentence starters:

    • The primary purpose is to inform the SEC examiner so that…
    • The primary purpose is to persuade the SEC examiner so that…
    Success criteria:
    • My sentence uses one purpose word and fits my Something Real topic.
    • I added two bullets under it.
    • My plan is saved in {{code:09_specialism/sm2/}} and my teacher has seen it.
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