Giving a talk
- Plan an introduction that hooks the audience, two or three clear main points with evidence, and a conclusion.
- Use cue cards with key words, not a full script, so you can speak naturally and look at your audience.
- Practise out loud and time yourself.
Using your voice and body
- Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard (projection), at a steady pace, and pause for effect.
- Make eye contact, stand up straight and use natural gestures.
- Use Standard English and avoid fillers such as "um" and "like".
Discussions and debates
- Listen actively: concentrate, make notes and respond to what others say.
- Build on or challenge ideas politely: "I agree with … because …", "I see your point, but …".
- In a debate, the proposition argues for the motion and the opposition argues against it. A rebuttal answers the other side's points. The chair keeps order.
- Persuasive speeches use rhetorical questions, the rule of three, repetition and anecdotes.
Key terms
- Projection
- Speaking clearly and loudly enough for everyone to hear.
- Pace
- How fast you speak.
- Cue cards
- Small cards with key words to remind you of your points.
- Fillers
- Words like "um" and "like" that fill gaps in speech.
- Active listening
- Concentrating on, and responding to, what someone says.
- Standard English
- The formal, correct form of English.
- Debate
- A formal discussion where two sides argue for and against a motion.
- Rebuttal
- A response that argues against the other side's point.
- Chair
- The person who keeps order in a debate or meeting.