Your structure can be typical or creative.
全ての質問をフォーマルなビジネス英語で答えてしまうと、ワンパターンな上に、質問の内容によっては聞き手にとって不自然に感じます。このレッスンでは多少、談話的な回答を構成する事に焦点をあてます。
Let's start with a review of the basic argument structure. What is it? When is it most useful?
The basic structure, covered in Speaking Test Strategies lessons 2 to 5, is this:
- main claim;
- second or subclaim (optional);
- evidence;
- reasoning;
- (repeat 2–4, as necessary); and
- conclusion (restating the claims).
The basic structure is most useful for opinion-based questions in which you have a strong point of view. If you have a clear opinion to start with, then you can choose evidence that fits your opinion.
But imagine an internal meeting where you have to make a big decision. You may not already have a clear opinion. In that case, you should use the claim-last structure outlined in this lesson.
Tests
TOEFL:
- This pattern is very ill-advised for a 40-second answer. Skip this lesson.
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.
The claim-last pattern is very useful when you haven't decided if you are pro or con, or if you want to seem more conversational. Point out to the student that giving overly formal answers to casual questions is a bit strange.
This pattern is great for personal questions and abstract questions.
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!
Use this pattern to answer the following questions:
- Is your company environmentally friendly?
- What do you think about your country's relationship with its neighboring countries?
- What's the biggest challenge of working with a big team?