Speaking: Public Speaking & Presentations C1
Delivering Engaging & Persuasive Presentations
Listen to the presentation examples here.
From Informing to Persuading (The C1 Shift)
At B2, you learn to inform your audience. At C1, you must persuade them. This means moving beyond just listing facts to building an argument that changes minds. Compare these opening statements:
INFORMING (B2)
"Today, I am going to talk about solar energy. Solar energy is good because it comes from the sun and is renewable. It can help save money on electricity bills."
PERSUADING (C1)
"Imagine a world where your electricity bill is zero, and your home isn't just a place to live—it's a power plant. This isn't a distant dream. This is the immediate reality solar power offers. Today, I want to show you why this isn't just an option; it's a necessity."
The C1 Persuasion Toolkit: The 3 Pillars 🏛️
To persuade an audience, you must appeal to their logic, their emotions, and their trust. This is known as the "Rhetorical Triangle."
Appeal to your audience's brain. How do you structure complex ideas logically?
- The core of the issue is...
- This leads directly to...
- The data is undeniable...
Appeal to your audience's heart. How do you make them *care*?
- Imagine for a moment...
- What if we could...?
- This isn't just a number...
Appeal to your audience's trust. Why should they listen to *you*?
- My research indicates...
- Having worked on this for 5 years...
- The common objection is... however...
Scenario: Pitching a Complex Tech Project 💬
Listen to this speaker blend all three pillars into a compelling pitch.
[ETHOS] "Good morning. For the past six months, my team has analyzed market data, and one fact is inescapable..."
[LOGOS] "The problem is clear: our user drop-off rate is 30%. The solution is a new, predictive AI model. This will not only fix the drop-off but will also open two new revenue streams."
[PATHOS] "This isn't just about saving a product. This is about re-establishing ourselves as the industry leader everyone in this room worked so hard to build."
C1 Delivery Tip
🗣️ The Power of the Rhetorical Pause
How you speak is as important as what you say. A key C1 skill is using pauses to create emphasis and build suspense. Don't rush your big ideas.
- Weak: "This is very important."
- Strong: "This... [pause] ...is important."
When you use a vivid word (Tool 2) or state a key fact (Tool 1), pause briefly right before it. This tells the audience, "Listen carefully, this next part matters."
Practice: Identify the Technique 🎯
Read the presentation snippets below and identify the *primary* pillar being used: Logos (Logic), Pathos (Emotion), or Ethos (Credibility). Click "Check Answers" when done.
1. "If we don't act now, we won't just miss our targets; we'll be left behind permanently."
2. "Based on the Q3 financial report, the data overwhelmingly supports this pivot."
3. "Having led three successful projects just like this, I am confident my team can deliver."
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
- To Articulate To express an idea or feeling fluently and clearly.
- Compelling Evoking interest or attention in a powerfully irresistible way.
- Nuance A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
- Rapport A close and harmonious relationship with the people you are communicating with.
- To Leverage To use something to maximum advantage.
- To Anticipate To see what might happen in the future and act to prepare for it.
- Skeptical Not easily convinced; having doubts.
Your Mission: The 3-Minute Pitch Challenge ⭐
Your mission is to prepare and record a 3-minute persuasive pitch on a complex topic you care about.
Example Topics:
- Why Cambodia should invest more in renewable energy.
- The benefits of adopting a new financial technology (FinTech).
- Why AI ethics should be a priority in modern education.
- Structure your pitch: Use a clear Logos framework (e.g., Problem -> Solution -> Benefit).
- Build trust: Include one Ethos statement (e.g., "Based on my analysis..." or "As a long-time user...").
- Make it memorable: Include at least one Pathos technique (e.g., a "What if..." question or a vivid, sensory description).
- Practice your delivery: Record yourself, paying close attention to your pacing and use of pauses to emphasize your key points.