Page 20 - 2_studijní opora - modul 8ANG

speed of change
rapidly quickly suddenly
gradually steadily slowly

points on the graph
minimum local minimum/dip maximum
local maximum spike peak
downward swing upward swing

odds an ends
by (20, 37, ...) % fluctuation percent/per cent

magnitude table (never plural!)
statistics

Linguistic means of oral presentations

The language of spoken presentations differs from that of written formal text,
even if it´s on the same topic and for the same audience. Basically, it´s less formal
because you communicate with the audience face-to-face, on a more personal
level. Also considering that the audience only hears the presentation once, the
portions in which you deliver the information must be smaller. In practice it means
that sentences are shorter, without so many digressions as you can afford in
writing. The idea must be understandable at first and only one listening.

Also grammar in speech differs from that in writing. While in writing you can find
a lot of passive voices, gerunds and other –ing forms, in oral presentations these
are often replaced by active voices (“The test was carried out…” vs. “We carried
out the test …”). Instead of condensed forms (-ing) you use looser structures, like
relative or other clauses (“… the problem resulting from …” vs. “… the problem
which results from …”, “Determining the effect of social background …” vs.
“When we were determining the effect of social background …”).

The less formal style used in oral presentations also gives you a chance to get in
closer contact with the audience using “you”, “let’s“ or other personal structures
You are talking to people in front of you, during the presentation you all should
create one whole.

Also rhetorical questions are an efficient tool in creating relationship between the
speaker and the audience. Rhetorical question is a type of question which is not
supposed to elicit an answer. Beside rising interest, rhetorical questions also
contribute to creating links between the speaker and the audience. Some
examples can be: Have you ever thought about the perception of cultural

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From the beginner to the mentor (Supporting strategies of education of teachers in Zlin region)
Fund of Educational Policy project, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports