Read the statements below and write a rhetorical question that could go after each of them.

 

UNIT 3. Today’s Topic Is…

Connect to Your Life

In pairs, discuss the following questions:

· What do you think makes a good main part of a presentation? Is it an interesting fact, well-structured research, presenter’s personality, or anything else? Write your ideas below.

A good main part of a presentation should                 

 

 

- In the part the topic should be disclosed.

- Express your own position on your topic.

- Coherently state the accumulated and analyzed material.

 

Exercise 3.1. Read the text about some of the powerful techniques for making a good main part of a presentation. What are they?

When we are presenting the main part, it can feel unnatural to say the same words over and over again. But it is noticed that repetition really works. It really helps clarify and consolidate the key points. So, try to use repetition. It is an easy technique and it actually makes presenting in English less difficult as you do not have to find different words for the same things.

You can repeat a phrase or a slogan like a mantra. Sometimes it is this mantra that everyone remembers long after the presentation is over. Classical orators used this technique and one of the most famous examples is the Martin Luther King’s speech where he used the “I have a dream” mantra. People even call it the “I have a dream” speech. Mantra has to be precise, to the point and memorable. When you get the mantra right, everybody remembers it.

Remember the Rule of Three. Most experts attribute the Rule of Three to Aristotle’s Art of Rhetoric in which he referred to “three types of speeches” and “three forms of proof”. For example: “In my presentation about trademark law I would like to give you an overview of what trademark law is about, why it’s important, and how we protect trademarks in the marketplace.” Usually a list of three has a sense of completeness. It’s a fairly simple but highly effective technique.

Give real life examples or examples that everybody knows. This really speaks to the audience as they remember things when they relate them to themselves, events or people. Examples bring things to life.

· Complete the following sentences. You may use the information from the text.

1. Repetition really helps clarify and consolidate the key points.

2. Repetition actually makes presenting in English less difficult as you do not have to find different words for the same things.

3. It is a good idea to repeat a phrase or a slogan like a mantra, so that everyone will the presentation.

4. People still remember the Martin Luther King’s speech as “I have a dream” speech.

5. Mantra has to be precise, to the point and memorable.

6. Aristotle referred the Rule of Three to “three types of speeches” and “three forms of proof”.

7. Usually a list of three has a sense of completeness.

8. Giving real life examples or examples that the audience know is important as they remember things when they relate them to themselves, events or people.

 

Exercise 3.2. During the presentation you may use rhetorical questions as they create expectation and a feeling of a dialogue. They are also a useful tool outlining and signposting the structure.

Example: We’ve solved the problem. How did we do this?

1 That brings me to the end of my second point. To which end?

2 To tell the truth I found this quite a difficult task. What task?

3 These factors are favorable for the development of economic and trade relations between Russia and China. What are these factors?

4 The option of using both schemes in a different ratio is optimum. Why the option is optimal?

5 Income fell sharply last year. How much income fell?

6 Now let’s move on to why we protect trademarks in the market place. What trademarks do you protect in the market?

7 Tourist numbers increased suddenly. Why did the number of tourists increase?

Exercise 3.3. Complete the sentences from the presentation with the correct form of the verbs from the box.

bring;     say;       share;     discuss;     give;     need;     move

1 I’d like to (a) share an amazing fact with you.

2 So, let me first (b) give you a brief overview.

3 This (c) bring me to the end of my first point.

4 Before I (d) move on, I’d like to recap the main points.

5 I’d like to summarize what I (e) say so far...

6 Let’s go back to what we (f) discuss earlier.

7 According to the survey, our customer service (g) need reviewing.

Exercise 3.4. Below is a presentation where an expert is talking about effective ways of problem solving. In pairs, answer the following question:

What do you think the effective ways of problem solving might be?

Now, read and listen to the presentation and complete the sentences.

(1)_____ what the best way to solve problems is? Today’s topic is (2)_____ who are trying to find the most effective ways of problem solving.

Imagine you have to find an answer to or a way of dealing with a problem, question, difficulty, etc. What would be your first step? (3)_____ to determine one of the ways to solve problems.

In my presentation (4)_____to problem solving. It will take about 15 minutes to cover these points.

In this part of my presentation, (5)_____our study that was done to see if geniuses shared any characteristics or habits. Was there something they had in common with each other that wasn't common in the general population?

One of the things we found was that geniuses all used a methodical, orderly approach when they tried to solve a problem. The following method is just such an orderly approach to problem solving.(6)_____ three major strategies.

First of all, we need to define the problem properly. Come up lots of possible ways to define it and then select and refine the best one. The defining of the problem should take up a good portion of time. This task should be done on paper. Mind you, do all your thinking on paper. This (7)_____.

Coming up with possible solutions. The task of thinking consists of asking a good question, writing it at the top of a piece of paper and then sitting there trying to think of answers to that question, and every time you think of another answer, write it down and keep thinking.

Now, (8)_____ the main issues.

Force yourself to come up with possible solutions. Thinking is hard work. Most people don't do much thinking, but that is the most-needed work right now. Don’t think of problem-solving as something you’ll do in a half-hour. One of the best ways to get great ideas is to stick with the same problem for many weeks. Keep turning your mind to the task and you’ll find new sources of genius within yourself.

After the discipline of sitting and trying to come up with solutions, your mind starts getting accustomed to the purpose and starts working on the problem on its own. Ideas will come to you in the night, while idly daydreaming, while taking a shower, while driving, because you have continued asking your mind for possible solutions.

OK, let me now turn to (9)_____. Putting them in order from the very best one down to the worst one allows you to analyze and reflect new combinations coming to mind. Add those to your list and keep arranging their order. Take your very best ones and put them into action. Or share the ideas with people who can utilize them.

(10)____, to put an idea into action, you need a plan. Go through the same sequence to make a plan of action: what do you need to do?

Now, (11)_____ the main points.

If you want to master the best way of thinking and solving problems, (12)_____, you should make a list of all the tasks that need to be done to bring your idea into existence.

(13)_____ put those tasks in order: what needs to be done first, what would be second, and so on. (14)_____ start in on the first item on your list.

(15)_____, get into action.

What conclusion can we draw from this?

(16)_____, I’m quite certain that using this method, your action is not chosen by chance or desperate. It is planned, methodical, and effective.

(17)_____ about one of the ways of problem solving.

And now I’ll be happy (18)_____ you may have.

 

Exercise 3.5. ‘Signposting’ phrases are used to help guide the audience through a presentation. Complete this table of useful phrases with phrases from the presentation in exercise 3.4.

 

Problem technique

Have you ever wondered what the best way to..? (1)

Explaining why your topic is relevant for your audience

(2)

Stating your purpose/objective

(3)

Presenting the outline/organization/structure of your presentation

(4)

Saying what is coming

In this part of my presentation, I’d like to talk about... (5)

 

Moving to the next point

This leads directly to my next point. (7)

 

Summarizing a point

Let me briefly summarize the main issues. (8)

(11)

Going back

(10)

Sequencing

First of all, …(16)

(9)

 

 

Indicating the end of your talk

Based on the facts we have, I’m quite certain that…(17)

 

Inviting questions

(5) (16)

Exercise 3.6. The following sentences are used to talk about (difficult) issues. Complete them with the preposition in the box.

of;     on to;      with (3 times);      for;     into

 

1 We will have to deal with the problem of marine environment pollution.

2 How shall we cope with chlorofluorocarbons that are used in refrigerators, aerosol cans and in the manufacture of some plastic products?

3 If we don’t solve this problem now, we’ll get into serious trouble in the nearest future.

4 We will have to take care of this problem now.

5 We are currently having difficulties with this experiment.

6 Let’s now move on to the question we were discussing earlier.

7 We must identify the cause of the problem before we look for solutions.

Exercise 3.7. Match the beginnings and endings of the following sentences.

1 It will take about 20 minutes (f)

a of my first point.

2 I’ll be handing out copies of the slides (d)

b what we were discussing earlier.

3 There will be time for (j)

c facts we should take a look at.

4 This brings me to the end (a)

d at the end of my talk

5 Before I move on, (n)

e a few points before we start.

6 Let’s go back to (b)

f to cover these issues.

7 With regard to planning, we need (g)

g more background information.

8 Moreover, there are other interesting (c)

h I’d like to recap the main points.

9 Of course we’ll have to clarify (e)

i we’ll run into serious trouble soon.

10 If we don’t solve this problem now, (i)

j questions after my presentation.

Exercise 3.8. Are these words and expressions used to make contrasts or add additional information to support a point? Put them into the correct category.

moreover; however; furthermore; what’s more; on the other hand; likewise;     similarly;     yet;      as well as;      in comparison;  that said/then again;     coupled with;    

1 similarly, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…

2 Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. on the other hand, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible

3 The plural of ‘shelf’ is ‘shelves’. likewise, the plural of ‘wolf’ is ‘wolves’.

4 coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…

5 The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. what’s more , much of the evidence is unreliable at best

6 Scholar A thinks this. however, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.

7 furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…

8 One piece of evidence is not enough to prove it. in comparison not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation

9 Of course, cars are very useful. But yet, they cause a huge amount of pollution.

10 Scholar A argued that this was due to X, that said/then again Y.

11 moreover, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.

12 Scholar A believes X. as well as, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.

Exercise 3.9. Make the following sentences to appear more polite using the words and phrases in the box.

could; as far as I’m aware; I suppose; might; I don’t believe that; it seems to me that; would; would… be

 

1 (a) I suppose the idea of passwords, which have been used as security devices for thousands of years, (b) might need rethinking.

2 I think that biomimetic solar panels, which move with the sun, (c) would be created by using alternative materials and designs.

3 They (d) could be useful in developing areas, where motor-based sun-tracking panels are not affordable.

4 Also, (e) as far as I’m aware solar cells that track the sun (f) would probably be more efficient at generating power than those in a fixed position.

5 (g) I suppose all these factors are responsible for this disturbing development.

6 The use of drugs, especially antibiotics, (h) it seems to me that, has led to the establishment of resistant strains of diseases.

Exercise 3.10. Prepare the Main Part of your presentation using phrases in the unit and the following plan:

Ø Briefly state your topic again.

Ø Explain your objective(s).

Ø Signal the beginning of each point.

Ø Talk about your topic.

Ø Signal the end of each part.

Ø Highlight the main points.

Ø Tell listeners you have reached the end of the main part.