Presenting a point of view

1. Presenting a point of view Area of study two Unit 4, outcome 2 Resource: Insight English Year 12 – Robert Beardwood

2. Task requirements YOUR Sac for Unit 4, outcome 2 is to deliver an oral presentation of your point of view on a current issue. There are several ways in which you can do this, including: • A speech • A debate • A video blog Whichever form you use, your point of view must be sustained and reasoned, and the issue must have been debated in the media since September 1st of 2016. In addition, you will write a statement of intention, explaining the reasons for the choices you make as you plan, write and edit your presentation. This statement will refer to particular choices of language and persuasive techniques, and you will relate these to your purpose, audience and context. There are 40 marks available for this sac: • 30 marks for the presentation of a point of view • 10 marks for the statement of intention

3. Checklist • Show that you understand the issue, why it matters and what the main arguments are. • Develop your argument logically and coherently with a clear beginning, middle and end. • Substantiate your argument with current and relevant evidence, acknowledging your sources where relevant. • Anticipate counterarguments to your position and articulate the flaws in these alternative views. • Speak clearly and fluently, using the conventions of oral presentations such as appropriate body language, eye contact with your audience, and control of the tone, pace and pitch of your voice.

4. Keys to success • Open with lively and engaging remarks – perhaps an anecdote to highlight a personal connection to the issue or to emphasise its relevance to your audience. • Use a mixture of persuasive techniques (avoid overusing particular techniques) • Be aware of your audience and involve your listeners if possible • Include some quotations but clearly identify whose words they are and what their point of view is on the issue. • Present your own point of view clearly. Allow your personality to come through in the language and posture you use in your delivery.

5. Think about your audience • Who will be the audience for your oral presentation? • How is your issue relevant to your audience? • What language use will be most appropriate for your audience? • What does your audience care about? • What does your audience not care about? • Does your audience have any other relevant characteristics that you should take into account? (e.g. age, culture, race, gender, religion?) • What points of view do you think your audience members will hold on your issue? What might be some of the reasons for audience members holding a point of view opposed to your own? • Identify one piece of information that will be especially relevant to and have an impact on your audience, and explain why.

6. canI use visuals? Any Visuals used should communicate something more effectively than words alone can. Think about incorporating visual aids such as: • Photographs • Charts • Diagrams • Videos (if using in conjunction with a speech, keep it brief) • You might even want to dress up! • Ask yourself… • What is the benefit of showing my audience this material? • How do these visuals contribute to the purpose of my speech? • Do the visuals clarify the information? • Am I using them just because I can?

7. Attention Need Satisfaction Visualisation Action structure • Aim to include at least 3 (strong) key arguments and 1 rebuttal • There are many ways to structure a speech. Monroe’s motivated sequence in an influential technique that inspires people to take action. According to Monroe, most people respond to a speech by seeking to: • Be convinced of a speaker’s authority • Understand the issue or problem • Sympathise with the issue or problem • Be convinced the speaker’s approach to the issue or problem is feasible and beneficial • Know what they can do to help bring about a resolution to the issue or problem

8. Key tips for successful delivery • Number your cue cards if you are using them(and don’t read off an a4 piece of paper! Cue cards are the go!) • Stay on message – remember the purpose for your speech and stick to it! • Write for the ear – people are listening, not reading. • Practise reading your speech aloud – breathe and know how to pronounce words correctly

9. How to write a statement of intention This is an important part of the assessment. It is a clear, coherent explanation of the choices you make as you write and edit your speech. It needs to be approximately 300-500 words. Include: • How you will use form (e.g. you will engage the audience by asking questions, or in your video blog you will use a wide range of visual material) • The ways in which you structure your argument, including how you will begin and end your presentation • The persuasive strategies you will use (e.g. anecdote, analogy, expert or authority figures, evidence, attacks, emotional appeals, rebuttal) • Your use of style and tone, and particular choices of words and images

10. Sample statement of intention My oral presentation aims to support banning the sale of water in plastic bottles in Australia. Recent studies have added weight to mounting concerns about the damage that plastics do to the environment and to human health. Recent attempts to ban plastic bottles In the United States have failed, which has reinvigorated the debate among health and environmental advocates. The recent climate summit in Paris has also ensured that environmental issues remain at the forefront of the media. One of the persuasive strategies that I will employ in my oral presentation is the use of key data taken from reliable sources on the physical and environment toll of plastics. I will also use a range of evidence, including statistics, research and facts that support the banning of plastic bottles. Iwill include a variety of appeals to help persuade my audience to support a ban on plastic water bottles. Since my audience is secondary students, I will use informal language and draw on examples familiar to that audience to help them relate to the topic. I will begin by making an emotional appeal to my audience by using direct address ('imagine you are...'). This technique will engage the audience and identify them as part of the problem and solution. I will incorporate inclusive language throughout, such as 'we' and 'us', to ensure the presentation speaks directly to the audience. Appeals to common sense will show how the bottling and selling of water in Australia Is largely unnecessary as Australian tap water is generally safe and readily accessible. I will appeal to reason by demonstrating that purchasing bottled water is an unnecessary expense and that adopting alternatives to purchasing bottled water can result In significant financial savings. Throughout my presentation, I will employ a range of public speaking techniques to enhance my performance. I will use pauses to add emphasis to the key points of my argument, and i aim to speak steadily and clearly, so that the audience is able to hear each of my supporting arguments. I have a tendency to rush through presentations when I am nervous, so I would like focus on my pitch and pace. As a result, I hope to convince my audience to support a ban and encourage them to adopt alternatives to buying bottled water.