English Business Topics:

1. Application Letter

2. CV

3. Interview

4. Company Profile Presentation

English for Business English Training Center__Semarang University

 Chapter 1
Application Letter

A. What is Application Letter?

A job application letter, also known as a cover letter,
should be sent or uploaded with your resume when
applying for jobs.
The job application letters you send explain to
the employer why you are qualified for the position
and why you should be selected for an interview. Use
the letter to highlight relevant information from your
resume, without duplicating it.

B. How to write your application Letter?

When sending a company your resume for a job or internship, always include a letter
of application. Your application letter should contain information on the position you are
applying for and your qualifications for the job. It should be properly organized, formatted
and spaced so it's readable and makes the best impression on the hiring manager.
Here are guidelines to follow when writing a letter of application for employment:

Letter of Application Guidelines:

Length: A letter of application should be no more than one page long.
Format: A letter of application should be single-spaced with a space between each
paragraph. Use about 1" margins and align your text to the left, which is the
standard alignment for most documents.
Font: Use a traditional font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. The font size
should be between 10 and 12 points.

C. How to Organize a Letter of Application

1. Header
A letter of application should begin with both you and the employer's contact
information (name, address, phone number, email) followed by the date. If this is an
email rather than an actual letter, include your contact information at the end of the
letter, after your signature. Here is the format:

Contact Information:
Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address

Date

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 Employer Contact Information (if you have it)
Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State, Zip Code

2. Salutation
Begin your letter with "Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name." If you do not know the employer's
last name, simply write, "Dear Hiring Manager" or “Dear Sir/Madam” or “Dear Sirs”.

3. Body of Application Letter

The body of your application letter lets the employer know what position you are
applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will
follow-up.
3.1. First Paragraph/Introduction
The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing.
Mention the job you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the
name of a mutual contact, if you have one.
Begin by stating what job you are applying for. Then explain where you heard
about the job, particularly if you heard about it from a contact associated with the
company. Briefly mention how your skills and experience match the company and/or
the position; this will give the employer a preview of the rest of your letter.
3.2. Middle Paragraph(s)/Body
The next section of your application letter should describe what you have to offer the
employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying
for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it. So, avoid restating
some informations such as address, place and date of birth, nationality, etc.
In a paragraph or two, explain why you are interested in the job and why you
make an excellent candidate for the position. Mention specific qualifications listed in
the job posting, and explain how you meet those qualifications. Do not simply restate
your resume, but provide specific examples that demonstrate your abilities. You can
either write about these specific examples in complete sentences or in a bulleted format.
3.3. Final Paragraph/Closing
Restate how your skills make you a strong fit for the company and/or position. State that
you would like to interview and/or discuss employment opportunities. Explain what you
will do to follow up, and when you will do it. Conclude your application letter by
thanking the employer for considering you for the position.

4. Complimentary Close
End with your signature, handwritten, followed by your typed name. If this is an email,
simply include your typed name, followed by your contact information.

5. Proof and Edit Your Letter

Remember to proof and edit your letter before sending it. It may sound silly, but also be
sure to include the correct employer and company names - when you write many letters
of application at once, it is easy to make a mistake.
If you are applying to a job in advertising or another field that emphasizes
creativity, you might be able to be more flexible with these guidelines. However, think

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 closely about the position and the company before deviating drastically from this
format.
The following application letter format lists the information you need to include in
the job application letter you send with your resume. Use this as a guideline to create
customized application letters to send to employers.

D. Job Application Letter Sample

1. Sample of Hard Copy Application Letter
Wishnu Broto
Perum Semarang Asri 20
Semarang, Central Java-Indonesia 50150
+6281-9112-9112
[email protected]

Semarang, December 5th, 2014

George Gilhooley
XYZ Company
87 Delaware Road
Hatfield, CA 08065

Dear Mr. Gilhooley,

I am writing to apply for the programmer position advertised in the Times Union on
September 25th, 2014. As requested, I am enclosing a completed job application, my
certification, my resume, and three references.

My name is Wishnu Broto. I am 26 years old. With a BS degree in Computer

Programming, I have a full understanding of the full life cycle of a software
development project. I also have experience in learning and excelling at new
technologies as needed. The opportunity presented in this listing is very interesting, and
I believe that my strong technical experience and education will make me a very
competitive candidate for this position. The key strengths that I possess for success in
this position include:
 I have successfully designed, developed, and supported live use applications
 I strive for continued excellence
 I provide exceptional contributions to customer service for all customers

Please see my resume for additional information on my experience. I can be

reached anytime via email at [email protected] or my cell phone,
+6281-9112-9112. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to
speaking with you about this employment opportunity.

Sincerely,
Signature (for hard copy letter)

Wishnu Broto

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 2. Sample Email Cover Letter Message
Subject Line of Email Message: Editorial Assistant Position - Jane Jones
Email Message:

Dear Hiring Manager,

I would like to express my interest in a position as editorial assistant for your publishing
company.
As a recent graduate with writing, editing, and administrative experience, I believe I am
a strong candidate for a position at the 123 Publishing Company.
You specify that you are looking for someone with strong writing skills. As an English
major, a writing tutor, and an editorial intern for both a government magazine and a
college marketing office, I have become a skilled writer with a variety of experience.
My maturity, practical experience, and eagerness to enter the publishing business will
make me an excellent editorial assistant. I would love to begin my career with your
company, and am confident that I would be a beneficial addition to the 123 Publishing
Company.
I have enclosed my resume, and will call within the next week to see if we might arrange
a time to speak together.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jane Jones

____________

Jane Jones
111 Main Street
Town, NY 11111
Email: [email protected]
Cell: (555) 555-5555
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janejones

E. Exercise

Find a job vacancy advertisement in newspaper or other media. Write your own
application letter down (@ 1 letter in hardcopy and email format). Address to a
company that you are going to work with (based on the advertisement you have
found). You can use the format as given in the above examples, but please use your
own words! (Follow your lecturer instructions for any additional requirements!)

English for Business English Training Center__Semarang University

 Chapter 2
Curriculum Vitae vs Resume

A. Curriculum Vitae or Resume?

What's the difference between a resume and a CV? The
primary differences are the length, the content and the
purpose. A resume is a one or two page summary of
your skills, experience and education. A goal of resume
writing is to be brief and concise since, at best, the
resume reader will spend a minute or so reviewing your
qualifications. While both are used in job applications, a
resume and a CV are not always interchangeable.

A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience, and education. While a
resume is brief and concise -- no more than a page or two -- a curriculum vitae is longer (at
least two pages) and provides a more detailed synopsis.

A curriculum vitae includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as

well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors,
affiliations, and other details. In Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, employers may
expect to receive a curriculum vitae.

B. Curriculum Vitae
A curriculum vitae, commonly referred to as CV, includes a summary of your educational
and academic background, as well as teaching and research experience, publications,
presentations, awards, honors, affiliations, and other details.
Your CV should be clear, concise, complete, and up-to-date with current employment
and educational information. In the United States, a curriculum vitae is used primarily
when applying for academic, education, scientific, or research positions. Start by making
a list of all your background information, then organize it into categories. Make sure you
include dates on all the publications you include. CV is also applicable when applying for
fellowships or grants.
The following template will give you an example of what to include in your CV and
shows the appropriate format for a curriculum vitae. Use the samples below to determine
what information to include within your CV as well as how to lay it out.
Curriculum Vitae Template:
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name
Address
Telephone
Cell Phone
Email
PERSONAL INFORMATION (depending on country)
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Citizenship

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Visa Status
Sex
Optional Personal Information:
Marital Status
Spouse's Name
Children
EDUCATION
Include dates, majors, and details of degrees, training and certification
High School
University
Graduate School
Post-Doctoral Training
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
List in chronological order, include position details and dates
Work History
Academic Positions
Research and Training
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Certifications and Accreditations
Computer Skills
AWARDS
PUBLICATIONS
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
INTERESTS

CV Sample
Page 1 Page 2
CURRICULUM VITAE 1983 -1984 Indonesian School in Rome, Italy
of (2nd & 3rd year of Jr. Highschool)
Dina Anggraini (Elementary School was partly spent in Czechoslovakia,
Bulgaria and Indonesia)
PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH
Manila, 1st August 1969 (Philippines), Sex: Female WORK EXPERIENCE
Status: Married with 2 children (age: 10 and 4), Religion: 1996 – present: HOTEL KRISTAL - Jakarta
Islam, Husband’s Occupation: Supplier formerly Le Crystal
Executive Secretary to (expat) General Manager – acting
NATIONALITY Business Centre Coordinator & liaise with Public Relations
Indonesian departments
 Assist the GM in maintaining relations and
PERMANENT ADDRESS & TEL. NO communications with stakeholders.
Bintaro Jaya Sektor II, Jl. Kepodang I Blok K8 No.21,  Handle Executive Office daily operati on which includes all
Jakarta 12330. Tel. (62-21-736 2767) secretarial duties.
 Compose independent business correspondence (English,
CURRENT ADDRESS & TEL. NO. Indonesian). Translate and reply e-mail (Italian & French).
Bukit Sawangan Indah Blok D30 No.15, RT 11/RW05, Kel.  Personal assistance (organize event, insurance & financial
Duren Mekar, Sawangan – Depok. Tel. (62-251-614479) liaisons, trips & accommodation, purchase order, etc).

MOBILE & OFFICE TEL.NO. 1996: RCI/ PT VAKANSI MEGAH (Timeshare) Jakarta
 0819. 320. 98. 910. Secretary to Marketing Advisor:
750 7050 ext. 697 & 696 (during office-hour Mon. – Fri.)  Account payable (weekly wages, suppliers)
 Personnel (recruitment & employee relations)
FORMAL EDUCATION  General Affairs
1987 - 1993 University of GUNADARMA (S1) Depok  Purchase Order, Stock Item Control
(Majoring in Information Management – S1 Degree: S.  Translation, memo, daily report, telephone, fax.
Komputer)
1993-1994: REUTERS, Ltd. (British News Agency) Jakarta
1985 - 1987 SMA 47 (Sr. Highschool) Jakarta  Customer Relations Executive & RBB Sales Support
(2nd– 3rd year in Physical Science A1)  Helpdesk Assistant.
1984 – 1985 Indonesian School in Wassenaar, the  Client Visits.
Netherlands (1st year of Sr. Highschool)

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 Page 3 Page 4
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS  Public Relations Course
English Instructor (Volunteer) One-Day intensive course by Intermatrix (WIMAR
 Acting English Instructor for Security Guards for one WITOELAR) in Jakarta (2003)
year before Hotel Kristal set up a training department  High Performance Team
(2000 – 2001). 6-Modul Training conducted by DALE CARNEGIE
 English Interpreter for Grooming Class by an expatriate Training (Bandung) arranged by Hotel Kristal (2003).
Trainer (Mr. David Beattie from UK) for hotel employees.
Event Organising PERSONAL INTERESTS
 Appointed entertainment coordinator for the Employee  Reading (marketing communication, management
Outing Committee 1999 & 2003 (set up & arrange psychology, lifestyle)
program of events, entertainment, prizes) liaised with all  Playing musical instrument (piano, keyboard, guitar)
committee members concerned.  Sports (gym/ fitness centre, yoga, table tennis)
 Involved in theme planning of Morning Coffee (regular
gathering for selected target market).
 Involved in English debate classes; involved in the
English Quiz competition (all related to employee
activities in the Hotel Kristal).
SKILLS
Computer:
 MS Word; MS Excel, MS Works
 Outlook Express; MS Outlook
 Power Point
Foreign Languages:
 English (Toefl prediction: 573)
 Italian (colloquial – reading, listening, writing, speaking)
 Mandarin (basic – speaking, pinyin writing & reading,
listening)
 French (beginner – reading, writing, speaking, listening)
TRAININGS/ SEMINARS
 Manage Your Mind for Success
(One-day intensive workshop by Krishnamurti. Jakarta,
September, 2005.

C. Resume
A resume is a document which includes education, experience, skills, and
accomplishments that is used to apply for jobs. There are several basic types of resumes
used to apply for job openings. Depending on your personal circumstances, there are; a
chronological, a functional, combination, or a targeted resume.
A resume provides a window into our professional history and is one of the most
important documents in our job search. It needs to be professional and polished, because if
we don't have a professional resume, our application materials probably won't get a second
glance from any hiring manager.
Our resume should be easy to read - avoid tiny fonts, dense blocks of text, vague
language or excessive jargon, and inconsistent formatting. Learn more of the do's and
don'ts of creating a professional resume. Remember, our resume needs to impress the
hiring manager enough so we get the interview. That means it needs to be perfect.

Samples of Resume:

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a. Chronological Resume for a Retail Position
Paul Jones
6 Pine Street
Arlington, VA 12333
555.555.5555 (home)
566.486.2222 (cell)
email:[email protected]

Experience
Key Holder, Montblanc
April 2009 - Present
 Opened new specialty boutique
 Place orders to restock merchandise and handled receiving of products
 Manage payroll, scheduling, reports, email, inventory, and maintain clientele
book and records
 Integrated new register functions
 Extensive work with visual standards and merchandising high-ticket items
Sales Associate, Nordstrom - Collectors and Couture Departments
July 2007 - April 2009
 Merchandised designer women's wear
 Set-up trunk shows and attended clinics for new incoming fashion lines
 Worked with tailors and seamstresses for fittings
 Scheduled private shopping appointments with high-end customers
Bartender, Jigg's Corner
February 2005 - July 2007
 Provided customer service in fast-paced bar atmosphere
 Maintained and restocked inventory
 Administrative responsibilities included processing hour and tip information for
payroll and closing register

Education
Bachelor of Arts, Ramapo College, Arlington, VA

Computer Skills
 Experience with social media and internet research

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b. Functional Resume for a Transportation Planner
John A. Doe
4120 CHEVY TRAIL
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48111-9626
(111) 111-111
[email protected]

OBJECTIVE
Experienced and versatile professional with strong systems planning, people, and research skills,
coupled with a desire to contribute to meeting the organization's goals, and with the ability to:
 Direct transportation planning & programs
 Manage programs and people
 Anticipate & project for organizational change
 Design & develop cost saving systems
 Administer office operations
EXPERIENCED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS
 Government Guidelines Environmental Impact Mitigation Research
 Urban Planning Geology/ Hydrology Site Evaluations
 Computer Software Tools Scientific/ Business/ Grant Writing Quality Control
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Administering - Lead coordinator for the daily processing of thousands of checks for payment and the
mailing of confidential reports, meeting strict deadlines and avoiding late fees.
Problem-Solving - Designed a waste management program involving Recycle Ann Arbor and a major
book company, intended for the efficient handling of tons of paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, and glass,
achieving net savings of $20,000 per building annually and reducing company disposal obligations.
Managing - Oversaw operations of an expanding research lab, providing expertise, commitment, and
quality control during a time of significant transition.
Organizing - Consolidated community awareness information into an effective and easy-to-use pocket
guide for Bicycling in Ann Arbor, distributing them throughout the area to promote bicycle safety and
ridership.
Calculating - Verified the accuracy of office processes and expenses, eliminating overbilling and
cultivating an attitude of quality control among staff.
Creating - Make transportation program literature, maps, and correspondences to politicians and
agencies, employing innate abilities and formal training, resulting in program recognition and increased
use.
EXPERIENCE
ACWG
Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals: Collaborate with other alternative transportation
people to better develop pedestrian and bicycle-friendly communities.
APBP
Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition: Advocate bicycle and pedestrian use, rights and
responsibilities.
WBWC
Ann Arbor Bicycle Coordinating Committee: Guide bicycle program, road projects, parking, and facilities
to include and encourage bicycle and alternative transportation.
City of Ann Arbor
Research Assistant I: Managed a large and growing science lab including legal compliance, as well as
database and administrative duties.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Dixboro Oak Preservation
Assisted with road realignment and U of M Botanical Gardens historic oak preservation.

EDUCATION
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Bachelor of Science, 1994
Major: Biology - Ecosystem/Environmental
Business and Fine Arts Concentrations

D. Exercise
Now try to write your own Curriculum Vitae or Resume based on above discussions.
Follow your lecturer instructions for any additional requirements!

English for Business English Training Center__Semarang University

 Chapter 3
Interview

Taking a job interview in English can be a

challenging task. It's important to use the correct
tense to state when and how often you perform
duties at your present and past jobs. The first step
was writing your resume and cover letter. Learn
to use these tenses in these situations and you'll
be sure to make as good an impression in your
job interview as you have with your resume.

A. Tenses on Interview
There are some very important game rules to consider when taking a job interview.
The job interview in English requires a very specific kind of vocabulary. It also requires good
tense usage as you need to make a clear distinction between past and present responsibilities.
Here is a quick overview of the appropriate tenses to use:

1. Present Simple

Example: I collect data from all of our branches and analyze the information on a
weekly basis.

Explanation

Use the present simple to describe your daily responsibilities. This is the most common tense
to use when speaking about your current position.

2. Past Simple

Example: I developed an in-house database for the personnel department.

Explanation

Use the past simple to describe your daily responsibilities in a former position. This is the
most common tense to use when speaking about past jobs.

3. Present Continuous

Example: Currently, we are expanding our sales division to include South America.

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Explanation

Use the present continuous to speak about current projects that are happening at that moment
in time. These projects are limited in time and should not be confused with daily
responsibilities.

Example: Currently, I am designing a new layout for our local branch. I am usually
responsible for staff organization, but they asked me to help out with design this
time.

4. Present Perfect

Example: I've researched over 300 cases until now.

Explanation

Use the present perfect to generally describe projects or accomplishments that you have made
up to the present moment in time. Remember not to include specific past time references
which should be used with the past simple.

Example: I've developed a number of databases using Microsoft Access. Just last week I
finished a database for our warehouse.

5. Future Simple

Example: I will be the manager of a medium sized retail outlet.

Explanation

Use the future simple to discuss your plans for the future. This tense is only used when the
interviewer asks you what you plan to do in the future.

There are a number of other tenses that you can use to speak about experience that you have
had. However, if you do not feel comfortable using more advanced tenses, these tenses
should serve you well in the interview.

B. What is Most Important?: General Guidelines

1. Work Experience

Work experience is by far the most important part of any job interview in an English
speaking country. It is true that education is also important, however, most employers are
more impressed by extensive work experience than by university degrees. Employers want to
know exactly what you did and how well you accomplished your tasks. This is the part of the
interview during which you can make the best impression. It's important to give full, detailed
answers. Be confident, and emphasize your accomplishments in past positions.

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2. Qualifications

Qualifications include any education from high school through university, as well as any
special training you may have had (such as computer courses). Make sure to mention your
English studies. This is very important as English is not your first language and the employer
may be concerned about this fact. Assure the employer that you are continuing to improve
your English skills by any courses you may be taking, or by saying that you study a certain
number of hours a week to improve your skills.

3. Talking about Responsibilities

Most importantly, you will need to demonstrate your qualifications and skills which are
directly applicable to the job you are applying for. If past job skills were not exactly the same
as what you will need on the new job, make sure to detail how they are similar to job skills
you will need for the new position.

C. Common Interview Questions

1. First Impressions

The first impression you make on the interviewer can decide the rest of the interview. It is
important that you introduce yourself, shake hands, and be friendly and polite. The first
question is often a "breaking the ice" (establish a rapport) type of question. Don't be
surprised if the interviewer asks you something like:

 How are you today?

 Did you have any trouble finding us?
 Isn't this great weather we're having?

This type of question is common because the interviewer wants to put you at ease
(help you relax). The best way to respond is in a short, friendly manner without going into
too much detail. Here are some examples of correct responses:

Interviewer: How are you today?

You: I'm fine, thank you. And you?

or

Interviewer: Did you have any trouble finding us?

You: No, the office isn't too difficult to find.

or

Interviewer: Isn't this great weather we're having?

You: Yes, it's wonderful. I love this time of year.

Here are some examples of incorrect responses:

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 Interviewer: How are you today?

You:So, so. I'm rather nervous actually.

or

Interviewer: Did you have any trouble finding us?

You: As a matter of fact it was very difficult. I missed the exit and had to return via
the highway. I was afraid I was going to be late for the interview.

or

Interviewer: Isn't this great weather we're having?

You: Yes, it's wonderful. I can remember this time last year. Wasn't it awful! I
thought it would never stop raining!

2. Getting Down to Business

Once the pleasant beginnings have finished, it's time to begin the real interview. Here are a
number of the most common questions that are asked during the interview. There are two
examples of excellent replies given for each question. Following the examples, you will
find a comment describing the type of question and important things to remember when
answering that type of question.

Interviewer: Tell me about yourself.

Candidate: I was born and raised in Milan, Italy. I attended the University of Milan
and received my master's degree in Economics. I have worked for 12 years
as a financial consultant in Milan for various companies including Rossi
Consultants, Quasar Insurance and Sardi and Sons. I enjoy playing tennis
in my free time and learning languages.

or

Candidate: I've just graduated from the University of Singapore with a degree in
Computers. During the summers, I worked as a systems administrator for a
small company to help pay for my education.

Comment: This question is meant as an introduction. Do not focus too specifically on

any one area. The above question will often be used to help the interviewer choose what
h/she would like to ask next. While it is important to give an overall impression of who
you are, make sure to concentrate on work related experience. Work related experience
should always be the central focus of any interview (work experience is more important
than education in most English speaking countries).

Interviewer: What type of position are you looking for?

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 Candidate: I'm interested in an entry level (beginning) position. Or...
Candidate: I'm looking for a position in which I can utilize my experience.
Candidate: I would like any position for which I qualify.

Comment: You should be willing to take an entry level position in an English speaking
company as most of these companies expect non-nationals to begin with such a
position. In the United States, most companies provide many opportunities for growth,
so don't be afraid to start from the beginning!

Interviewer: Are you interested in a full-time or part-time position?

Candidate: I am more interested in a full-time position. However, I would also

consider a part-time position.

Comment: Make sure to leave open as many possibilities as possible. Say you are
willing to take any job, once the job has been offered you can always refuse if the job
does not appeal (not interest) to you.

Interviewer: Can you tell me about your responsibilities at your last job?

Candidate: I advised customers on financial matters. After I consulted the customer, I

completed a customer inquiry form and catalogued the information in our
database. I then collaborated with colleagues to prepare the best possible
package for the client. The clients were then presented with a summarized
report on their financial activities that I formulated on a quarterly basis.

Comment: Notice the amount of detail necessary when you are talking about your
experience. One of the most common mistakes made by foreigners when discussing
their former employment is to speak too generally. The employer wants to know exactly
what you did and how you did it; the more detail you can give the more the interviewer
knows that you understand the type of work. Remember to vary your vocabulary when
talking about your responsibilities. Also, do not begin every sentence with "I". Use the
passive voice, or an introductory clause to help you add variety to your presentation.

3. Speaking about Your Strength and Weakness and Your Reason to Work

Interviewer: What is your greatest strength?

Candidate: I work well under pressure. When there is a deadline (a time by which the
work must be finished), I can focus on the task at hand (current project)
and structure my work schedule well. I remember one week when I had to
get 6 new customer reports out by Friday at 5. I finished all the reports
ahead of time without having to work overtime.
Or:

Candidate: I am an excellent communicator. People trust me and come to me for

advice. One afternoon, my colleague was involved with a troublesome
(difficult) customer who felt he was not being served well. I made the
customer a cup of coffee and invited both my colleague and the client to
my desk where we solved the problem together.
Or:

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 Candidate: I am a trouble shooter. When there was a problem at my last job, the
manager would always ask me to solve it. Last summer, the LAN server at
work crashed. The manager was desperate and called me in (requested my
help) to get the LAN back online. After taking a look at the daily backup, I
detected the problem and the LAN was up and running (working) within
the hour.

Comment: This is not the time to be modest! Be confident and always give examples.
Examples show that you are not only repeating words you have learned, but actually do
possess that strength.

Interviewer: What is your greatest weakness?

Candidate: I am overzealous (work too hard) and become nervous when my co-
workers are not pulling their weight (doing their job). However, I am
aware of this problem, and before I say anything to anyone, I ask myself
why the colleague is having difficulties.

Or:

Candidate: I tend to spend too much time making sure the customer is satisfied.
However, I began setting time-limits for myself If I noticed this
happening.

Comment: This is a difficult question. You need to mention a weakness that is actually
a strength. Make sure that you always mention how you try to improve the weakness.

Interviewer: Why do you want to work for Smith and Sons?

Candidate: After following your firms progress for the last 3 years, I am convinced
that Smith and Sons are becoming one of the market leaders and I would
like to be part of the team.

Or:

Candidate: I am impressed by the quality of your products. I am sure that I would be a

convincing salesman because I truly believe that the Atomizer is the best
product on the market today.

Comment: Prepare yourself for this question by becoming informed about the
company. The more detail you can give, the better you show the interviewer that you
understand the company.

4. The closing Question

Interviewer: When can you begin?

Candidate: Immediately.
Or:
Candidate: As soon as you would like me to begin.

English for Business English Training Center__Semarang University

 Comment: Show your willingness to work!

The above questions represent some of the most basic questions asked on any job
interview in English. Probably the most important aspect of interviewing in English is giving
detail. As a speaker of English as a second language, you might be shy about saying
complicated things. However, this is absolutely necessary as the employer is looking for an
employee who knows his or her job. If you provide detail, the interviewer will know that you
feel comfortable in that job. Don't worry about making mistakes in English. It is much better
to make simple grammar mistakes and provide detailed information about your experience
than to say grammatically perfect sentences without any real content.

Useful Vocabulary

During the job interview process it's important to use verbs that precisely describe your duties
and responsibilities at your present and past positions. The following list provides verbs that
are both precise and commonly used in an English speaking workplace. These verbs are used
to express responsibilities and tasks performed:

accomplished arranged cooperated distributed formulated installed performed

acted assisted coordinated documented Founded introduced planned
adapted attained corrected edited governed led promoted
administered brought dealt encouraged Grouped located recommended
advanced built decided established Handled made recruited
advised carried out decreased estimated harmonized maintained reviewed
allocated cataloged defined evaluated Headed moderated revised
analyzed changed delegated examined Identified motivated selected
applied classified derived experienced implemented negotiated supervised
approved completed designated explored Improved opened validated
arbitrated controlled developed facilitated Increased organized wrote

To describe your skills the following adjectives are useful

accurate discreet logical productive

active efficient loyal Reliable
adaptable energetic mature Resourceful
adept enterprising methodical self disciplined
broad-minded enthusiastic motivated sense of humor
competent experienced objective Sensitive
conscientious fair outgoing Sincere
creative firm personable successful
dependable genuine pleasant Tactful
determined honest positive trustworthy
diplomatic innovative practical

Use these verbs and adjectives and really sell yourself. You only have a few minutes to show
how good you really are. By using this precise vocabulary and being confident can help you
make the best impression possible.

English for Business English Training Center__Semarang University

 A Short Guide to the

ORAL
PRESENTATION

IN ENGLISH

How to get started, how to conclude, and

suggestions for what to do in between

Martha Grand
ENSIEG
CONTENTS

1. Getting Started
1.1 Greeting the audience – Calling for attention
1.2 Introducing yourself and your company
1.3 Stating the purpose of the talk – Giving a short introduction
1.4 The overview – Presenting the structure of the talk

2. The Body of the Presentation

2.1 Transitions
2.2 Road signs – Signaling the direction your talk is taking
2.3 Restating the important ideas
2.4 Using quotations
2.5 Using examples
2.6 Expressing opinion
2.7 Using numbers
2.8 Using charts, graphs and tables

3. The Conclusion
3.1 Signaling the conclusion
3.2 The final summary
3.3 Closing
3.4 Calling for questions

4 In General
4.1 Audience-friendly language
4.2 Visuals

5 Graphs and Charts

5.1 Types of graphs and charts
5.2 Upward trends
5.3 Downward trends
5.4 Special cases
5.5 A verb or a noun?
1. Getting started
➤ The first two to three minutes of your talk are important. During this
time, you'll make contact with the audience; you'll introduce yourself and
say a few words about your company; you'll tell the audience the purpose
of your talk; and you'll give them a map of your presentation.

1.1 Greeting the audience - Calling for attention

➤ Give the audience a signal that you're ready to start. Take advantage
of these few words to find your position and adapt your voice to the size
of the room.

* Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

* Good afternoon everyone. Shall we begin?
* Ladies and gentlemen. Good morning. It's a pleasure to be here with
you today.
* Good afternoon. If everybody's ready, I think we can begin now.

1.2 Introducing yourself and your company

➤ If the chairperson of the session hasn't done so, introduce yourself and
your company. Be sure to mention the key elements of your company: its
main activities, its size, its location, etc.

* Let me introduce myself first. I'm Robert Vincent.

* I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Pierre Dupont from Dazzi Engineering.
* Before I begin, let me tell you a little about myself. I'm ...
* I'm with the CNRS—the French National Center for Scientific Research—
in the Department of Solid State Physics.
* I work for Schneider Electric in the xxx department. Schneider is a
world leader in the development and manufacture of ...
* Dazzi Engineering is a small but fast-growing company in Grenoble, in the
heart of the French Alps. Our main activities are in the field of waste
management. You may be familiar with some of the techniques we've
developed for plastics recycling.
* I'm a research engineer with Electricité de France or EDF. EDF is the
leading company for the production and distribution of electricity in
France and throughout Europe.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. It's a pleasure to be here with you today.
First, I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Pierre Dupont from Dazzi Engineering.
Dazzi Engineering is a small but growing company in Grenoble, in the heart of
the French Alps. Our main activities are in the field of waste management. You
may be familiar with some of the techniques we've developed for plastics
recycling.

➤ Abbreviations from the French, like EDF or CNRS, must be pronounced in

English. The same goes for abbreviations like the UN (United Nations) or GDP
(Gross Domestic Product). Before using any abbreviations or acronyms that may
not be familiar to a nonFrench audience, explain them in full.
1.3 Stating the purpose of a talk - giving a short introduction
➤ Begin by telling the audience why you are there.

* My purpose today is to .....

* What I want to do this afternoon is to .....
* My objective today is to .....
* I'm here today to .....
* My talk today will deal with ......
* My presentation this morning will concern primarily .....
* This afternoon, I'd like to cover two topics of interest to the automobile
industry, .....

* I've been asked to......

* I've been invited here this morning to .....

My purpose today is to give a detailed analysis of the role of government in

Japanese industry.

My talk today will deal primarily with the ethical considerations in genetic
engineering.

I've been invited here this morning to describe some of the recent developments
in nuclear safety technology.

➤ Or begin by giving a short introduction to your subject.

One of the main problems facing any company in the field of nuclear energy
today is overcoming public opposition to nuclear installations. After the events
at Chernobyl, the public needs to be reassured. This afternoon, I would like to
describe some of the recent developments in nuclear safety technology and show
how they can be presented in layman's terms.

The design of electric vehicles has improved enormously in the past ten years.
Electric cars have become lighter and faster. However, they still do not have
enough autonomy. And they will not make large gains in autonomy until
research has developed better batteries. I'm here today to present some
possible approaches to the problem.

➤ You may want to use a rhetorical question.

Who in the field of waste management has never been confronted with the
NIMBY syndrome?

My talk today will concern primarily the ozone hole. We all know that an ozone
hole has formed over Antarctica. What we don't know is: Why?
1.4 The overview - presenting the structure of the talk.
➤ Give your audience a map. They'll be much more willing to follow you
if they know where you intend to take them and how you intend to get
there. As P.T. Barnum, founder of the Barnum Circus, said: in any talk,
the speaker must do three things: "Tell them what you're going to tell
them; tell them; then tell them what you told them." By giving them the
overview, you're telling them what you're going to tell them.

To begin with, I'll be speaking about the components normally found in our
atmosphere. Then, we'll examine some of the reasons for the growth in CO2 in
recent years. After that, I'll explain what the greenhouse effect is and how it
works. And finally, we'll take a look at some possible consequences of the
increase in temperature caused by the greenhouse effect.

➤ To make an overview, choose a sequencer:

* First of all, * Next, * Finally,

To begin with, Then, Last of all,
To start with, Later, In the final part,
First(ly), Subsequently,
Second(ly), After that,

➤ Select a verb that reflects the approach you intend to use:

multipurpose detailed development

present, discuss, analyze, examine
talk about, consider, explain, describe
speak about, look at

special techniques rapid review

review, compare, highlight, outline
contrast, develop go over

➤ Put the pieces together in a structure:

* I'll be _______ing
We'll be __________ing
I'm going to be ________ing

* I'd like to _________

We're going to _______
I want to ___________

First of all, I'll be presenting a historical view of AIDS and how it spread. Then,
we'll analyze the segments of the population most susceptible to the disease at
its beginnings and compare them to the types of cases we are finding today.
Finally, we'll try to forecast the evolution of AIDS in the coming years.
2. The Body of the Presentation

2.1 Transitions
➤ In a written paper, the eye sees how the paper is divided into sections
and subsections by the section numbers, titles and subtitles, and the page
layout in general. In an oral presentation, you must provide verbal
transitions. Guide your audience through your talk by referring to the
overview you presented at the beginning. As you go from one section to
another, use transitions. Restate or sum up what you've just seen.
Announce what you're going to see.

* Now that we have seen ... Now that we have seen what
let's look at ... causes acid rain, let's look at
some of its effects on our forests.

* Now that we have an idea of ... Now that we have an idea of the
let's turn our attention to ... dimensions of the problem of
malaria in Africa, let's turn our
attention to efforts now underway
to control it.

* Before going on to the next Before going on to the next part

part which deals with ... which deals with environment-
I'd like to stress once again ... related cancers, I'd like to stress
once again the fact that it is
extremely difficult to pinpoint
one specific cause for any cancer.

* To sum up then, we've To sum up then, we've

examined ... We've also examined the evolution of the
analyzed ... I'd now like ozone hole since it was first
to focus on ... discovered in 1978. We've also
analyzed the mechanics of the
destruction of ozone. I'd now
like to focus on the role of CFCs.

* In addition to ..., what other In addition to human error and

factors contribute to ...? design flaw, what other factors
contributed to the accident at
Chernobyl?

* Before we go on to the next Before we go on to the next,

section, let me briefly restate ... section let me briefly restate the
main reasons why the electric car
is not yet the solution to urban
transport.

➤ Remember, for the transitions to do their job efficiently, you must do

your job: articulate and stress the key words.
2.2 Road signs
➤ When you're giving a talk, some words act just like signs on the road.
They tell your audience whether you're continuing in the same direction,
changing direction, contrasting two possible directions, or arriving at your
destination. Used effectively, 'road signs' make it easier for your
audience to follow your development. Once again, you must use your
voice to stress the road sign and make it stand out for your listeners.

Notice that for an oral presentation, it is easier to use links that allow you
to make two short sentences rather than one long, complex sentence.

Continuation
Backup mechanisms for computers tend to
become obsolete rapidly. It’s easy to find
Furthermore
three examples from the past 20 years:
Moreover
floppy disks, diskettes and Zip disks.
In addition
Furthermore, new software formats do
not always recognize older formats.

Change in direction
Today, digital cameras are used for
However more than half of all photographs taken.
Nevertheless However, most of those pictures never
go any further than the hard drive of a
personal computer.

Although Although digital cameras are used for

more than half of all photographs taken,
most of those pictures…

Despite the fact that digital cameras

Despite
are used for more than half of all photos
In spite of
taken today, most of those pictures…

Contrast

In contrast The life of a CD recorded with a CD

On the other hand burner at home could be as little as five
years. In contrast, some photographic
papers can last up to 200 years.

While While the lifespan of a CD recorded with

Whereas a CD burner at home could be as little as
five years, some photographic papers can
last up to 200 years.
 ARRIVAL Consequently Consequently, saving a digital photo
file for the next 20 or 50 years is going
to take a lot of hard work.

Therefore Thus, it’s going to take a lot of hard

Thus work to save a digital file for the next 20
or 50 years.

2.3 Restating the important ideas

➤ There are two main reasons why you should restate (or reformulate)
important ideas. The ear is not as efficient as the eye. (The ear cannot
go back to the top of the page and reread a piece of information.) And
an audience is not always giving the speaker 100% of its attention.

* in other words ... A major drawback of many cancer

drugs is their lack of specificity. In
other words, they don't just kill
cancer cells; they kill healthy cells
too.

* in short ... In short, CO2 is the major cause of

the greenhouse effect.

* In simple terms, this means that ...

* To put it in more concrete terms ...
* The point I'm trying to make here is ...
* What I mean by this is ...
* Basically, what this means is ...

2.4 Using quotations

➤ Quotation marks (" ") in a written text set off quotations visually. In
an oral presentation, you must verbally set off quotations by signaling the
quotation and by 'surrounding' it with pauses. Remember, if you think it
is worthwhile to include a long quote in your presentation, you must take
the time to read it clearly.

* To quote Professor Grand, "The earth is as flat as a pancake."

* Professor Grand has said, and I quote, "The earth is ..."
* Here I'd like to quote what Professor Grand has said about ...
* Professor Grand has often said that the earth is flat—"as flat as a
pancake"—to use his exact words.
* I have here a quotation from Professor Grand. It says, "The earth is ...
2.5 Using examples
➤ Examples help you make your point by taking your audience from the
abstract to the concrete. Signal them by using key words: example,
instance, illustrate, case, like, such as.

* Let's take the example of what happens when ...

* The best example of ... is probably ...
* An interesting example of ... is ...
* For instance ...
* Let's now look at ... This will illustrate some of the principles we've been
talking about.
* Let's take the case where...
* Vegetables like carrots and squash are loaded with beta-carotene
* Pollutants such as those found in automobile exhaust are responsible for
most of the smog in Los Angeles.

2.6 Expressing opinion

➤ Avoid preceding everything you say with, "in my opinion," or "I think
that." The audience understands that you, the speaker, are generally
expressing what you think. However, it is important to signal your
opinion in contrast to another person's opinion or an opinion that is
commonly held.

➤ To signal another person's opinion

* According to Professor Grand ... (an authority on the subject)
* Lauren Thompson has expressed the opinion that ...
* In a recent article, D.J. Tehl stated that ...
* In Mr. John Mugg's opinion ...

➤ To signal a widely-held opinion

* It is commonly thought that ...
* According to conventional wisdom ..

➤ To signal your opinion

* In my opinion ....
* I think that ...
* It is my view that ...
* It seems to me that ....

According to Professor Grand, the sun moves around the earth. In my opinion,
however, it is the earth that moves around the sun.

Although it is commonly thought that the earth is flat, it seems to me that recent
discoveries tend to prove that the earth is round.

➤ Remember: "According to" is used only for another person's opinion (usually
an authority on the subject.) You cannot say "according to me." Do not try to
translate the French "Je dirais que" and other such expressions.
2.7 Using numbers
➤ In a written paper, the reader's eye takes in numbers and their size
and automatically makes approximations. (That's why numbers are
written with commas: 36,254,967) Large or complicated numbers are
much more difficult to assimilate orally (and long to pronounce.) Give your
listener approximations instead. But signal that it's an approximation.

* approximately The greatest number of discrepancies occurs at

approximately 6 Pascals. (5.92)

* nearly Nearly 9,000 cases were examined in this study.

(8,679)

* roughly Roughly half the cases were found in the past

two years. (4,250/9000)

* over Over a third of the respondents said they

preferred instant coffee. (34.5%)

* more than More than 8 million people live in metropolitan New

York. (8,246,456)

2.8 Using charts, graphs, tables

➤ Used efficiently, charts, graphs and tables are wonderful aids to an oral
presentation. They help the speaker make a point rapidly, and they help
the listener retain the information. A few rules:

➤ Introduce the chart or graph before you show it. If you don't, the
audience will stop listening to you while they try to decipher it alone. If
you're using presentation software like PowerPoint, put a transition slide
before your chart instead of leaving the previous one on.

* I'd like you to look now at a graph of domestic oil production in the United
States. I think it will clearly show just when we became dependent on
imported oil.

* Next, we'll take a look at a chart showing the impact of the polio
vaccination program in selected areas in India and Africa.

➤ When you do turn on the slide with your graph, remember to explain
what it shows. Again, if you don't, the audience will stop listening to you
and find the information by themselves.

* This graph presents the wide variations in the price of oil since 1970. The
horizontal axis shows the years from 1970 to 2005, and the vertical axis
shows the average price in dollars for a barrel of oil.

➤ When describing a graph, you shouldn't simply state what the listener
can easily see: the line goes up and the line goes down. It's your job to
point out important changes and explain why they occurred or their impact.
3. The Conclusion

3.1 Signaling the conclusion

➤ Signal that you're arriving at the conclusion early on. Doing so leads to
increased attention in the audience. Use key words like:

* To conclude ...
* In conclusion ...
* As a conclusion
* This brings me to the end of my presentation this afternoon.

➤ You may want to refer to something you said at the beginning of your
talk

* You may remember I began my talk today with a question "...?"

As I end, I hope we are a little closer to an answer.
* In my introduction, I said we would be concentrating on solutions to the
problem of acid rain. Now that we have reached the conclusion, I hope
....

➤ Now that you have raised the level of attention, this is no time to make
any digressions. To do so would lead to a frustrated audience. Nor is the
conclusion the time to introduce any new ideas or develop any new
examples.

3.2 The final summary

➤ Tell them what you've told them. Review the main points. Recall the
most important examples.

To conclude then, we have seen the types of industries that produce the
pollutants that cause acid rain - notably heavy industry or power plants
dependent on sulfur-loaded coal. We also discussed the non-negligible role of
domestic heating. The examples of eastern Canada or Sweden reminded us that
the effects of acid rain are often felt miles from its source. By analyzing the
mechanics involved, we realized that millions of acres of apparently healthy
forests are already in the first stages of destruction. And the devastation of
forests in Germany gave us a preview of what may lie ahead in many more areas
if nothing is done.

3.3 Closing
➤ End with a strong statement and thank your audience. Pause before
thanking the audience.

* And the devastation of forests in Germany gave us a preview of what

may lie ahead in many more areas if nothing is done. Thank you.

* I think you'll all agree then that we cannot rest on past achievements.
The infant mortality rate can and must decrease even more.
Thank you for being such an attentive audience.
3.4 Calling for questions
➤ Invite your audience to ask questions.

* And now if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them for you.
* If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them in the time we
have remaining.
* I hope that was clear. If you do have any questions, please don't hesitate
to ask them.
* This a complex subject. There are probably many things that are still not
clear. I welcome any questions you may have.
* Thank you for being so attentive. I'd like to give you the chance to
express yourselves now. If you have any questions or would like to have
some points clarified, please feel free.

➤ If no questions come, you cannot beg, but

- you can try humor
* If you're hesitant to ask a question for fear I'll start in again for another
twenty minutes, let me reassure you on that point.
* It's always hard to ask the first question, so why don't you go ahead and
ask the second.

- you can suggest one

* The last time I gave a talk on this subject, the most common question
was on ...
* You might be interested in some examples where this method has
already been used successfully.

➤ If you don't understand the question, you can ask the person to repeat,
(but only once) or you can restate the question.
* I'm sorry. I'm not sure I understand. Could you repeat your question
please?
* If I understand you correctly, what you want to know is .....

➤ If the question is aggressive, you don't want to appear hostile and you
don't want to start up a debate. You can put the question off.
* I'm afraid we don't have enough time to go into that now, but I'd be glad
to send you some documents on that point.
* That's an interesting point, but I'm afraid it concerns few of us here.
I'd be glad to talk to you during the break or at the end of the session.
* Your question leads to an area which could be the subject of another
paper. Perhaps we could continue this discussion during the lunch break.

➤ If you don't know the answer.

* I wish I could answer that, but I can't. I'd have to go back to my lab for
more data.
* I wish I knew the answer to your question. We're working on that aspect
right now.
4. In general

4.1 Audience-friendly language

➤ Make your audience feel more involved in your presentation by using audience-
friendly language.

➤ Use polite forms

* What I want to do today is ... ................ What I would like to do today is ...
* I want to explain the risks ..................... Let me try to briefly explain the
involved in this procedure. risks involved in this procedure.

➤ Make yourself part of the group.

Instead of using "I" systematically, use "we," meaning you the speaker and your
audience. You can also use the imperative "let's."

* In the next section, I'll be describing ... .......In the next section, we'll be looking at ...
* As I have shown here on this chart ..............As we can see here on this chart ...
* As I explained earlier, ... .............................As we saw earlier, ...
* I have been confronted with the...................Most of us have been confronted with
problem of the problem of ...
* Now that I have examined... .......................Now that we have seen ...

* Look at the statistics for 1992.......................Let's look at the statistics for 1992.
* Now I want to speak about ... .....................Now let's turn our attention to

➤ Call on the audience—its knowledge, its experience.

* As you probably know ...
* If you remember the accident at Chernobyl, ...
* I'm sure you are familiar with ...
* You may have noticed the growing demand for ...

➤ Use the rhetorical question.

A rhetorical question is one that the speaker will answer him/herself. It's a good
way to introduce a section.

* How accurately can we predict future energy needs?

* Why did the dinosaurs become extinct?
* How much progress has been made on the electric car?

➤ However, it is a dangerous technique to ask a real question and expect the

audience to answer it. This technique usually leads to an embarrassing silence.
Your audience may feel they're being tested or may be afraid of giving the wrong
answer. You could also lose control of the situation and waste valuable time.
4.2 Visuals
➤ When we think of visuals today, we almost always have in mind presentation
software like PowerPoint. But in some circumstances you might also want to
consider using an overhead projector, flip charts or posters. Whatever format you
choose, remember: you must not expect the visuals to do the entire job for you.
They help you, the speaker, organize your presentation, and they help the audience
understand better and retain the information, but visuals can never replace the
speaker.

A few basic rules or suggestions:

➤ on amount of information per slide

- Avoid the "mega data" slide: Don't try to crowd too much information on one
slide. Put only information that is necessary. If you don't intend to talk about
something, don't put it on your slide.

- Try to respect the rule: one visual = one point

- In general, use
6 to 8 words per line
5 to 7 lines per slide

➤ on language

- The language on visuals is densified. You don't want to read to your audience, and
you don't write in full sentences. For example,
instead of: In 2005, sales increased by 5%
you write: 2005 sales up 5%

- Check your spelling. A spelling error projected on a screen stands out, and your
audience will notice it.

➤ on fonts (police)

- Sans serif fonts are easier to read.

An 'R' and a ' T ' in Times New Roman, for example, have short lines
or 'tails' at the ends. (serif)

An 'A' in Arial or a 'V' Verdana do not. They are examples of

sans serif.

- Italics are hard to read projected on a screen. Avoid using them.

- DON'T WRITE A LOT OF TEXT IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. THEY ARE HARD TO
READ, AND USING THEM IS LIKE TALKING TO YOUR AUDIENCE IN A VERY LOUD
VOICE. THEY ARE OK FOR TITLES THOUGH.
- Make sure your font size is big enough. Depending on the size of the room, you
will be using font size ranging from 18 to 48. Anything smaller will be impossible
to read, even in a small conference room. How it looks on your computer screen
is not a good test of how it will look when it's projected. It is sometimes
necessary to use bold type.

➤ on colors and special effects

- Use them sparingly. You don't want your audience to focus on zooming text,
sound effects and dazzling colors. You want them to concentrate on what you
say. Remember: the visual is an aid, not the primary focus.

- Limit the number of colors to three. Use them for contrasting, highlighting and
differentiating.

- Use black or very dark blue for text on a white or very pale background, white or
yellow for a dark background.

5. Graphs and Charts

Graphs and charts are tools you'll probably use often in your presentations. This
section is intended to be a reminder of the vocabulary you'll need.

5.1 Types of graphs and charts

Bar Chart Pie Chart Table

A B C
xxx
line
www or
zzz row

slice or column
share

Graph or
Line Chart Flow Chart

V
E solid line
R A
T X broken line
I I
C S
A dotted line
L

HORIZONTAL AXIS
5.2 Upward trends

➤ The all-purpose verbs below simply show an upward movement; they don’t
indicate whether the movement is fast or slow, steady or erratic. For more
precision, they can be combined with an adverb.

to increase gradually
to rise steadily
to go up constantly
to climb slowly
to grow slightly

* The international role of the euro has increased gradually since 1999.
* During the period 1969 to 1999, the salaries and wages earned by women rose
slowly but steadily.
* From the 14th century to the beginning of the 20th, the climate grew
constantly colder.

to increase
to rise sharply
to go up significantly
to climb dramatically
to grow

* Trade between the US and its Nafta partners increased sharply between 1993
and 2001.
* After Hurricane Katrina, gasoline and diesel commodity prices went up
dramatically in Canada and the U.S.
* As microprocessors become faster and memory becomes cheaper, the benefit
to cost ratio has climbed significantly.

➤ Other verbs show a fast, upward movement. Each one is associated with a
particular image (to shoot up like a bullet, to soar like an eagle, to surge like a
tidal wave.)

to shoot up
to soar
to surge
to skyrocket
to jump
to boom

* Sales of Mac computers and iPods also shot up 20 percent and 207 percent,
respectively.
* UK carbon dioxide emissions soared in 2003.
* The PC market surged in 2005, and is expected to slow down in 2006
* Two years ago, South Africa's malaria rates suddenly skyrocketed to 50,000
cases a year from just a few thousand.
* Coal production boomed in Wyoming during the 1980s and 1990s.
5.3 Downward Trends

➤ As for upward trends, all-purpose verbs simply show a downward movement;

they don’t indicate whether the movement is fast or slow, steady or erratic. For
more precision, they can be combined with an adverb.

to decrease gradually
to go down steadily
to decline constantly
to fall slowly
slightly

* From 1990 to 2001, rates of extreme poverty decreased slowly in Latin

America.
* Imports fell slightly in November resulting in an increase in the trade balance.
* The high school drop out rate has declined steadily since 1995 from 7 percent
in 1995 to 3.7 percent in 2005.

to decrease dramatically
to go down sharply
to decline drastically
to fall significantly
rapidly

* Snow cover has decreased rapidly over many parts of Canada in recent
decades.
* The use of antibiotics fell dramatically in response to widespread public
educational campaigns about the dangers of antibiotic resistance.
* After the disaster the number of migratory birds went down drastically.

➤ Some verbs show a fast, downward movement. Again, each one is associated
with a particular image (to plunge – make a steep dive from a high place, to
plummet – fall perpendicularly, to take a nosedive – like an airplane.)

to drop
to plunge
to dive – to take a nosedive
to plummet

* Temperatures in Moscow plunged overnight to as low as minus 24.

* Sales of new houses plummeted in November by the largest amount in nearly
12 years.
* The violent crime rate dropped by 6.2 percent.
* On March 15, 2005, General Motors stock took a nosedive.
5.4 Special cases

➤ A peak

to peak
to reach a peak
to reach a high point
to hit record levels

* United States oil production peaked in 1970, with a second, lower peak
in the mid 80s resulting from the Alaska oil discoveries.
* English dominion of French territories reached a high point under Henry II.

➤ A plateau

to level off
to remain steady
to flatten out
to reach a plateau

* Asthma rates may have leveled off in US children after increasing in the 1980s
and early 1990s.
* Has aqueous inkjet printing of graphics reached a plateau ?

➤ Fluctuation

to fluctuate
to zigzag

* The trajectory of the Argentine economy during the past 13 years has
zigzagged from hyperinflation and economic stagnation to rapid growth with
low inflation to the deepest depression in Argentine history.
* Unemployment in the United States has fluctuated due to economic conditions
through the decades

➤ A low point

to bottom out
to hit a low point

* Spending on information technology bottomed out early in 2005.

* The Canadian tourism industry hit a low point in 2003, partly due to the cases
of SARS virus in Toronto.
5.5 A verb or a noun?
➤ All the examples in the sections above use verbs to indicate the upward or
downward movements. The verb focuses on the action: did sales go up? down? a
little? a lot? Example: Sales of new houses plummeted in November by the largest
amount in nearly 12 years. The use of a noun to indicate the movement will put the
focus on the causes or consequences of the movement. Example: Experts see the
drop as an indication that prices in the housing market will finally begin to stabilize.

For some verbs, there is no noun form. The lists below provide some easy-to-use
nouns.

* climb, growth, increase, jump, rise, surge

* decline, decrease, drop, fall, plunge