Get creative
This lesson will focus on structuring your answer in a way that is more conversational, or more thoughtful.
Let's start with a review of the first structure you learned. What is it? When is it most useful?
The original structure, covered in Communication Strategies lessons 1–3, is like this:
- main claim;
- second or subclaim (optional);
- evidence;
- reasoning;
- (repeat 2–4, as necessary); and
- conclusion (restating the claims).
This original structure is most useful for when you already have a strong point of view. It's also the style we use in presentations and most sales pitches, where we already have prepared evidence and a set opinion.
On the other hand, if you don't already have a clear point of view, then you can use this new structure. This is especially effective in:
- global training;
- brainstorming; and
- internal decision-making meetings.
Examine the following sample answer. Where is the claim? How about the evidence?
Question:What is the most dangerous area of your neighborhood? What makes it dangerous?
Answer:
The most dangerous area? Well, in general, my town is pretty safe. It's a small town without a lot of crime. And my neighborhood is very quiet. But there is an area of town that I don't go in unless I absolutely have to. It's a low-income neighborhood with drugs and gangs. Every now and then, there's a shooting. The town is trying to improve the neighborhood, but it's still pretty bad. So that is definitely the most dangerous area in my town.
This is a claim-last pattern. The speaker follows this four-step recipe:
1. Respond to the question. The most dangerous area? Well, in general, my town is pretty safe.
2. Give negative evidence. It's a low-income neighborhood with drugs and gangs.
3. Give positive evidence. The town is trying to improve the neighborhood.
4. Conclude with a clear claim. So that is definitely the most dangerous area in my town.
NOTE: The student can choose to start positive and then turn negative. They can also give only negative or positive evidence.
Another example
If your student would like to spend more time on this, use this question:
Does fashion allow people to express their individuality, or does it force people to conform?
Sample answer:
Hmm, fashion... This is a tough question because it can do both. I think it depends on the person. Some people want to be different, you know, special. They want to stand out from the crowd. So they use fashion to express their individuality. Other people want to fit in, to belong to the larger group. So fashion is an easy way to do that. But does it force people to conform? In the sense that those are the only clothes available to buy, yes. You have to shop in thrift stores or quirky designer shops to express your individuality. So, I guess my answer would be that fashion makes it easy to conform, if you want to. But with a little effort, it can allow you to express yourself creatively.
A. The sample answer in the Warm Up follows four basic steps. What are they? Discuss them with your instructor.
B. Now your teacher has another question for you. Try answering it using the claim-last structure.
A. Four basic steps
The four steps are as follows:
1. respond to the question;
2. give negative evidence;
3. give positive evidence; and
4. conclude with a clear claim.
You can, of course, flip #2 and #3, or you can give only positive or only negative evidence.
B. Next question
Ask:
How is privacy viewed in your culture?
Make sure they start with evidence. For example, if a student chooses to talk about privacy as it relates to posting images of people online, they should refer to official policies as well as casual practices.
You can also ask the student about their own experience.
Has a private photo of you ever been shared publicly without your consent?
Make sure they use strategies from previous lessons, like responding quickly and confirming the question!
Try using the claim-last style answer for the following questions:
- What's the best food to eat in the town you are living in now?
- What's your opinion about globalisation?
- What do you think about your country's relationship with its neighboring countries?