Speaking: Public Speaking & Presentations C1
Delivering Engaging & Persuasive Presentations
The "Problem - Solution - Vision" Framework 🎯
This is a powerful structure used in many famous speeches and TED Talks. It transforms your presentation from a simple report into a compelling journey for your audience.
Don't start with your topic; start with a problem, puzzle, or challenge that your audience can relate to. This grabs their attention immediately.
e.g., "We all face a common challenge..." or "What if I told you that the biggest threat to our industry isn't what you think?"Present your product, idea, or research as the elegant and effective solution to the problem you just outlined. This is the main body of your talk.
e.g., "But there is a better way." or "This is where our research offers a new path forward."End by painting an inspiring picture of the future that is possible if your solution is adopted. Make the audience feel hopeful and motivated to act.
e.g., "Imagine a future where..." or "This is more than just a plan; it's a new beginning. Let's build it together."Framework in Action: A Persuasive Pitch 📈
Listen to an entrepreneur pitching a new educational app. Notice how she uses the framework to make her pitch compelling.
(Problem) "Every year, thousands of bright Cambodian students in rural provinces struggle to access the same quality of education as students here in Phnom Penh. They have the talent, but they lack the opportunity. What if we could close that gap?"
(Solution) "Our app, 'TutorMe', does exactly that. It's a mobile platform that connects university student volunteers in the city with high school students in the countryside for free, one-on-one tutoring..."
(Vision) "Imagine a Cambodia where every student, no matter where they are born, has the support they need to achieve their dreams... This isn't just about better test scores; it's about building a more equitable and prosperous future for our entire nation."
Delivery & Practice 🎤
💡 It's a Conversation, Not a Speech
Even in a formal presentation, your goal is to connect with the audience. Advanced delivery is about creating a sense of conversation.
- Eye Contact: Don't just scan the room. Hold eye contact with an individual for a complete sentence or thought, then move to another person. This creates a powerful sense of connection.
- Vocal Variety: Use your voice as an instrument. A lower, slower voice can build drama. A higher, faster pace can show excitement. A strategic pause before a key point creates powerful emphasis. Avoid a flat monotone at all costs.
📝 Practice Quiz: Identify the Technique
1. "So what's the bottom line? How do we move forward? These are the questions we must ask ourselves." What technique is this?
A) Weaving data into a story.
B) Using rhetorical questions to engage the audience.
C) A call to action.
→ Answer: B. The speaker is asking questions to make the audience think, not to get a literal answer.
2. A presenter begins with, "Our customer satisfaction has dropped 15%. Our customers are not happy. Today, I am going to show you the solution." What part of the framework is this?
A) Starting with a Vision.
B) Starting with a Solution.
C) Starting with a Problem to hook the audience.
→ Answer: C. This is a classic use of the framework, immediately engaging the audience with a challenge that needs to be solved.
Key Vocabulary
- To Captivate To attract and hold the interest and attention of; to charm.
- Persuasive Good at convincing someone to do or believe something through reasoning.
- Framework A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text.
- Rhetorical Question A question asked for effect or to make a point, rather than to get an answer.
- Call to Action An instruction to an audience to provoke an immediate response.
Your Mission: The "Transformative Pitch" ⭐
Your mission is to turn a simple topic into a persuasive and engaging presentation.
- Choose a simple topic you know well (e.g., your job, a hobby, a social issue).
- Plan a short (90-second) presentation using the Problem-Solution-Vision framework.
- Problem: How can you frame your topic as a solution? (e.g., If your hobby is gardening, the problem could be stress in modern city life).
- Solution: Present your topic as the answer (e.g., "Gardening is an accessible way to reduce stress...").
- Vision: Paint an inspiring picture (e.g., "Imagine our city with more green spaces...").
- Record yourself delivering your pitch. Focus on an engaging tone and powerful, persuasive language.