Do You Know What You’re Saying? – Present, Expand, Explore

This should help you in general when you present your ideas at work, but also if you’re taking the IELTS or Cambridge exams (FCE, CAE, CPE):

So many students have told me that at school they studied English grammar, but they didn’t study how to organise a short talk or essay like we do in the UK or Australia. 

In fact, some Czech students still believe that an international English exam is about grammar, grammar, grammar, but this is not true. For example, in many international writing and speaking exams, you need to be able to present your ideas in a logical, fluid way. You need to explore the topic at hand, and develop your argument.

It’s the same thing for when you present your ideas at work at a meeting or conference.

A simple model for this is:

1. Introduce the topic you’d like to talk about
2. Present your top 2-4 arguments or points to support your case
   
3. Support your views using specific examples or evidence to back them up. ie for each point you’d like to mention, back it up.
4. If relevant, present the opposing point of view – and argue your case against this
5. Summarise and conclude

This simple model works, for example, in writing an essay; in giving your small talk in the IELTS exam, in giving your presentation in the BEC Vantage and Higher exams. And at work too.

Why not try this today.

Present. Expand. Explore.