STUDY AND WRITING SKILLS
64
6.5
STUDY SKILLS
MAKING AN EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION
1
6.8
Listen to five people talking about a memorable
presentation they have heard. Match each speaker to the
reason why the presentation was effective.
a
The presenter delivered his message in a clear voice.
b
The presenter used some effective techniques to express his
idea.
c
The presenter used memorable images in her slide
presentation.
d
The presenter quoted from a poem.
e
The presenter told a story at the beginning of his talk.
2
Can you recall a particularly effective presentation? If so,
why was it so impressive?
3
a
Rhetorical techniques
Presentations can be persuasive
or informative. If they are persuasive, presenters often use
rhetorical techniques to make their presentations more
effective. Look at the definition of a rhetorical device. Can you
think of an example of one?
A rhetorical device is a technique which uses language to
increase the persuasiveness of a piece of writing or speaking. It
is often used to emphasise a point or to produce an emotional
response in the reader or listener.
3
b
Match rhetorical techniques 1–11 with examples a–k.
Sometimes there is more than one possible answer.
1
Rhetorical questions (asking a question but not expecting an
answer)
2
Quotation
3
Alliteration (repeating sounds at the beginning of words)
4
Contrast
5
Repetition
6
Simile
7
Tripling (listing or chunking points in sets of three)
8
Imagery (metaphor)
9
Hyperbole (using exaggerated language for effect)
10
Anecdote (a short story based on your personal experience)
11
A surprising fact, statistic or opinion
a
The film
Heaven’s Gate
was one of the biggest failures in
history but some critics consider it a masterpiece.
b
In
Sleepless in Miami
, he was like a man in a coma for most of the
film.
c
Why would anyone want to see the film when they can’t
relate to the characters?
d
‘
In the House
is a clever psychological comedy. It is Fran
ç
ois
Ozon’s best work to date.’ Film critic.
e
His performance was intelligent, intuitive and intense.
f
Alfred Hitchcock’s film
Rear Window
is undoubtedly the
greatest film ever made.
g
On the one hand, the film held your interest. On the other
hand, the ending was disappointing.
h
She had the smile of an angel, but the soul of the devil.
i
It was a long film. It was a boring film. It was a film that
shouldn’t have been made.
j
When I was in Paris, I met the director of the film in a café
on the Left Bank. He told me …
k
He was the son of a millionaire. She was from a shanty town.
4
Work with a partner. You are going to read
part of a presentation about the film Henry V,
which is based on Shakespeare's play of the
same name. Before you read that, look at this
brief description of the plot and answer the
questions.
The play takes place immediately before, during
and after the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 when
Henry V led his troops to victory over the French.
It shows the king to be an inspiring leader
capable of giving rousing speeches, but it also
shows his faults and failings.
1
Which, if any, of Shakespeare’s plays have
you seen or read?
2
Which plays have you heard of and would
like to see?
3
Do you think you would enjoy Henry V?
Why? / Why not?
5
Read the presentation and underline the
rhetorical techniques used by the presenter.
Match them to the techniques in Exercise 3b.
Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V is without doubt the
best film adaptation of a Shakespeare play ever
made. It is also one of the best war films ever
made. And Branagh gives one of the best acting
performances ever seen on the screen. Can this
really be the same man who decided to remake
Love’s Labour’s Lost as a 1930’s musical?
Of course, you can’t please everyone all the
time and some Shakespeare purists dislike
the way Branagh took speeches from Henry
IV and used them in this film. However, his
choices worked and most viewers accepted
their inclusion. After all, Shakespeare himself
was quite happy to use other people’s stories,
change them around and make them his own.
Despite the disquiet of the doubters, most critics
recognised the film’s qualities. Variety called it
“A stirring, gritty, enjoyable pic” while another
critic said he was “emotionally stirred” by the
speeches.
?
6
Choose a film you know well. Make notes
on it, then make a five-minute presentation
of the film to your group. Try to use rhetorical
techniques from Exercise 3b.
