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1) The document provides instructions and content for an English class, including discussing ways to effectively communicate and present information. It suggests using subheadings, stories, analogies, quotes, and visuals to engage audiences. 2) It also shares a TED Talk about how scientists and engineers can effectively communicate complex technical topics to non-experts by not oversimplifying ideas and using stories to generate interest. 3) The document tests comprehension with multiple choice questions about the content, asking students to analyze parts of the TED Talk and identify strategies for clear communication.

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Vanessa Bertacini
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63 views3 pages

Handout

1) The document provides instructions and content for an English class, including discussing ways to effectively communicate and present information. It suggests using subheadings, stories, analogies, quotes, and visuals to engage audiences. 2) It also shares a TED Talk about how scientists and engineers can effectively communicate complex technical topics to non-experts by not oversimplifying ideas and using stories to generate interest. 3) The document tests comprehension with multiple choice questions about the content, asking students to analyze parts of the TED Talk and identify strategies for clear communication.

Uploaded by

Vanessa Bertacini
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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English Class 17 (04/05) – Teacher Vanessa Bertacini

Clear communication

PART I

Listen to author and presenter Neil Anderson talk about how he gives his
presentations, then answer the following questions.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/240169044

1) Choose the ways he prepares for them.


( ) He finds out about his audience.
( ) He calls teachers who are coming to his presentation.
( ) He makes sure he knows his presentation topic well.
( ) He prepares a list of useful reference materials.
( ) He creates slides.

2) How does Anderson make his audience feel more involved in his
presentations?

3) Which of Anderson’s methods would you use if you gave a presentation? Why?

PART II

Read the following text about communication in the digital age.

COMMUNICATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE

We live in an age of information overload. Research shows that the average


social media user receives about 300 pieces of content a day—roughly equivalent
to the number of words in a standard novel. With such a huge amount of content
available, people are likely to spend less time going through each piece of
information. Therefore, data has to be delivered quickly and effectively in order
to grab people’s attention.

Seven ways to communicate more effectively

Here are some suggestions on ways we can engage our audience in our writing
and during presentations:

Use subheadings. They allow you to group your ideas and guide your readers.

Describe your ideas in a simple way. To test whether your description is simple
enough, try explaining it to someone who knows nothing about your topic. But
make sure that you keep the essential parts—avoid dumbing ideas down until
they lose their meaning.

1
Present ideas logically and concisely. Use clear language and avoid technical
words.

Include stories. Personal stories can provide a human connection and make
your point more memorable.

Give analogies. They help to make complex ideas meaningful. For example, you
could describe electricity as water flowing through a pipe.

Use quotes. They are often interesting ways to start or end a presentation, and
can be a source of humor.

Use attractive visuals. Visual aids such as photographs, diagrams, and charts
can appeal directly to your audience’s imagination and create a more lasting
impact.

PART III

Read the introduction to Melissa Marshall’s TED Talk, “Talk nerdy to me”, and
answer the following question.
https://www.ted.com/talks/melissa_marshall_talk_nerdy_to_me/up-next

Melissa Marshall works at the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences at


Penn State University. She specializes in teaching speaking skills to engineering
students. Her idea worth spreading is that even complex and technical topics can
be easy to understand and exciting if they are communicated in the right ways.

1) Read the paragraph. Match each bold word to its meaning. You will hear these
words in the TED Talk.

Melissa Marshall believes that we desperately need great communication from


our scientists and engineers. This is because scientists tackle some of the
world’s biggest problems—like climate change. While it is important for scientists
to make everyone understand their work, Marshall points out that they must
not dumb down their ideas. Scientists need to communicate their ideas
without compromising them. Marshall also recommends that scientists use
stories to engage us and get us excited.

a) to make something weaker: _______________


b) to make something too simple: _______________
c) to form a connection with: _______________
d) seriously; urgently: _______________
e) to deal with (a problem): _______________

2
2) Watch the TED Talk and choose the correct options.

a) In her speech, Marshall makes use of the following suggestions from the text:
( ) Use subheadings
( ) Describe your ideas in a simple way
( ) Present ideas logically and concisely
( ) Include stories
( ) Give analogies
( ) Use quotes
( ) Use attractive visuals

b) In her speech, Marshall mentions the following suggestions from the text:
( ) Use subheadings
( ) Describe your ideas in a simple way
( ) Present ideas logically and concisely
( ) Include stories
( ) Give analogies
( ) Use quotes
( ) Use attractive visuals

3) Watch again (Part 1). Choose the correct options.


a) What analogy does Marshall use?
( ) an animal
( ) a fantasy story

b) Why do you think she makes this analogy?


( ) to describe how unfamiliar the situation was for her
( ) to describe how exciting the situation was

c) What is the amazing new world that Marshall wants us to see?


( ) the ideas that scientists and engineers have
( ) the lives of scientists and engineers

4) Watch again (Part 2). Choose the advice that Marshall has for scientists and
engineers.
( ) Show how science is relevant to non-scientists.
( ) Give demonstrations where possible.
( ) Avoid using jargon when speaking.
( ) Simplify ideas as much as possible.
( ) Don't use bullet points in presentations.
( ) Use less text and more visuals on slides.

5) Watch again (Part 3). Discuss the following questions.

a) Why do you think Marshall uses an equation to summarize her talk?

b) “Talk nerdy to me” is a play on a famous phrase, which is also the name of a
song. Do you know the phrase? And the song?

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