Speaking: Public Speaking & Presentations C2
Delivering Highly Persuasive, Memorable & Impactful Speeches
Listen to the "Boring vs. Impactful" openings.
From Informing to Influencing
A B2 speaker can give a good, clear presentation. A C2 speaker can change the way an audience thinks and feels. Compare these two openings on the same topic.
THE B2 OPENING (Informative 😐)
"Good morning. Today, I'm going to talk about the problem of plastic waste in our oceans. First, I will discuss the statistics. Second, I will cover the environmental impact. Finally, I will suggest some solutions."
THE C2 OPENING (Impactful 🔥)
"When you drank your coffee this morning, did you throw away the cup? What if I told you that cup... will outlive your grandchildren? That it will join 8 million metric tons of plastic... entering our oceans... every single year."
The C2 opening is memorable because it uses a **personal question** (a hook), creates an **emotional connection** (Pathos), and uses a **dramatic pause** and **vivid numbers** to create impact.
The 3 Pillars of Persuasion (The Rhetorical Triangle)
A C2 speech masterfully balances all three pillars of persuasion, first defined by Aristotle.
Why should they listen to you? (Authority, Trust, Shared Values)
"Having spent 10 years as a marine biologist, I have seen the devastation firsthand..."
Why should they care? (Stories, Empathy, Values, Hopes, Fears)
"Imagine a future where our children can't swim in the ocean... a future where the beaches are silent."
Why does it make sense? (Data, Facts, Case Studies, Logical Argument)
"The data is undeniable: a 5% reduction in plastic use leads to a 20% drop in local pollution."
Advanced Structure: The "Problem - Agitate - Solution" Framework
Forget the simple "Introduction - Body - Conclusion." A C2 persuasive speech uses a structure designed to motivate. The P-A-S framework is one of the most powerful.
Identify a specific problem the audience already has or knows about. (Uses Logos).
"We all agree that plastic waste is a problem."
Make the problem feel urgent, personal, and emotional. (Uses Pathos).
"But it's not just a problem. It's a crisis. It's the microplastics in our food. It's the turtles choking..."
Introduce your idea as the clear, logical, and urgent solution to the pain you just agitated. (Uses Logos + Ethos).
"But there is a way forward. My proposal... is the only viable path to solve this, and here's why..."
Your C2 Toolkit: Rhetorical Devices (Click 🔊)
Tool 1: Anaphora (Repetition at the Start)
Repeating a phrase at the beginning of clauses. It builds rhythm and makes a concept stick.
"We cannot accept this reality. We cannot permit this to continue. We cannot fail the next generation."
Tool 2: Tricolon (The "Rule of Three")
Humans are programmed to remember things in threes. It feels complete and powerful.
"Our plan is simple, effective, and achievable."
"We will invest in our people, innovate in our technology, and inspire our community."
Tool 3: Strategic Pausing & Prosody
The most powerful word in a speech is often... [pause] ...silence. A pause builds suspense, adds weight, and gives the audience time to *think* and *feel*.
Do not use filler words like `um`, `ah`, or `like`. Replace them with a confident, silent pause.
Practice Identifying Techniques 🎯
Practice Quiz: Identify the C2 Technique
Read the examples and choose the primary technique being used. Click "Check Answers" when done.
"I've worked in this field for 20 years. I've seen what works, and I've seen what fails. This plan will work."
What is the primary pillar being used here?
"This isn't just a line on a spreadsheet. This is about our children's future. This is about the air we breathe. This is about the legacy we leave behind."
What is the main *rhetorical device* used here?
A speaker says: "The current system is broken. It's costing us millions every day it remains in place. We are bleeding money while our competitors get stronger. This is not just inefficient; it's dangerous."
In the P-A-S framework, what is this stage?
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
- Persuasive Good at convincing someone to do or believe something.
- Impactful Having a major effect or influence.
- Rhetoric The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing.
- Ethos / Pathos / Logos The three pillars of persuasion: Credibility, Emotion, and Logic.
- Anaphora The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.
- Prosody The patterns of stress and intonation in a language (the "music" of speech).
- Call-to-Action The part of a speech that urges the audience to do something.
Your Mission: The 2-Minute Impact Speech ⭐
Your mission is to transform a simple B-level topic into a persuasive C2-level speech.
Topic: "Why learning a new language is important."
Task: Prepare and record a 2-minute speech that uses:
- The Problem-Agitate-Solution framework (Problem: "Misunderstanding is common." Agitate: "It costs us jobs, opportunities..." Solution: "Language is the bridge...").
- At least one rhetorical device (like Anaphora or a Tricolon).
- A balance of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.
- Strategic pauses instead of filler words.
Listen to your recording. Does it just *inform*, or does it make you want to *act*?