Speaking: Speaking for Specific Purposes C2 - Lesson 3: Contributing as a Thought Leader in Expert Discussions & Debates

Speaking: Speaking for Specific Purposes C2

Contributing as a Thought Leader in Expert Discussions & Debates

Listen to the scenario audio here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to move beyond simple participation to actively shape and elevate expert discussions by identifying underlying issues, synthesizing diverse viewpoints, and reframing the core questions.

Scenario: The "Surface Level" vs. "Thought Leader" Debate 💬

At a C2 level, your goal is not to "win" an argument, but to find the deepest truth. Observe the difference below.

Typical B2/C1 Debate: Stating Opinions

Analyst A: "Our low sales are due to poor marketing. We must increase our ad budget immediately!"

Analyst B: "I disagree. The product quality has dropped. We must invest in R&D, not ads!"

(The debate gets stuck here, arguing A vs. B.)

Thought Leader Intervention (C2 Level)

Thought Leader: "If I may, I think we're treating the symptoms, not the disease. Both of you have valid points—marketing is underperforming, and quality is inconsistent."

"But perhaps the underlying issue is that we no longer have a clear customer identity. We don't know who we're marketing *to* or what level of quality they expect. Instead of debating ads versus R&D, perhaps the real question we should be asking is, 'Who is our customer in 2026?' If we can answer that, the budget allocation becomes simple."

The Thought Leader's Toolkit 🛠️ (Click 🔊)

A thought leader uses three core techniques to elevate a conversation.

1. Identify the Underlying Issue

Look past the surface arguments (e.g., "price") to find the root cause (e.g., "brand perception").

• I think we're focusing on the symptoms. The underlying issue is...
• This debate about X is a distraction. The root cause we're not addressing is...
• What this really boils down to is...

2. Synthesize Contradictions

Find the "third option" by combining two opposing views into a single, more accurate new idea.

• These two points aren't contradictory. In fact, they're two sides of the same coin.
• What if we synthesize these ideas? What if the solution involves both...
• The common thread between both arguments is...

3. Reframe the Question

Challenge the premise of the debate. Show that the group is solving the wrong problem.

• I think we're asking the wrong question. The question isn't 'Can we afford this?' but rather 'Can we afford *not* to do this?'
• This isn't just an issue of A vs. B. This is an issue of [Larger Concept].
• We're stuck on the 'how,' but we haven't agreed on the 'why.'

C2 Prosody: The Sound of Authority

🗣️ Pacing, Pausing, and Confident Tones

A thought leader's authority comes from *how* they speak. Their prosody is not aggressive or emotional, but deliberate, controlled, and confident.

• Strategic Pausing: Use pauses to command attention *before* you make your key point.
  Example: "The real issue... [pause] ...is trust."
• Controlled Pitch: Avoid high, emotional pitches. Use a clear, medium pitch range.
• Falling Intonation (Conviction): End your key statements with a clear falling tone (↘). This signals certainty and finality, not a question.
  Example: "The question isn't about marketing. It's about identity.↘"

Practice Your C2 Intervention 🎯

Practice Quiz: Elevate the Debate

Read the simple debate context, then choose the *best* C2-level thought leadership response. Click "Check Answers" when done.

Situation: A city council is debating. One side says, "We must build a new highway to reduce traffic!" The other says, "No! We must invest in more buses!"

Which response best elevates this debate?

• A) "I agree with the buses. Highways are bad for the environment and buses are cheaper for everyone."
• B) "Both sides are stuck on *how* to move people. The underlying issue is *why* people need to move so much. If we incentivize remote work, we might not need more buses *or* highways."
• C) "What if we just build half a highway and buy half as many buses?"

Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)

• To Synthesize (Verb) | សំយោគ
  To combine a number of things (like ideas or arguments) into a coherent whole.
• To Reframe (Verb) | ប្តូរក្របខ័ណ្ឌ
  To change the way something is viewed or expressed; to look at it from a new perspective.
• Underlying Issue (Noun) | បញ្ហា​មូលដ្ឋាន
  The root cause or fundamental problem that is hidden below the surface symptoms.
• Premise (Noun) | បរិវេណ
  An idea or theory on which a statement or action is based; a core assumption.
• False Dichotomy (Noun) | ភាពមិនពិត
  A situation presented as having only two options, when in fact there are other alternatives.
• Nuance (Noun) | ភាពខុសគ្នា
  A very small or subtle difference in meaning, opinion, or attitude.

Your Mission: The Moderator Challenge ⭐

Your mission is to practice being a thought leader.

1. Find a real-world debate online (e.g., a YouTube clip, a news panel). Listen to two opposing arguments for 2-3 minutes.
2. Pause the video. Take one minute to think. Do not pick a side.
3. Record yourself giving a 90-second "intervention" as if you were the expert moderator. Your goal is to:
   • Acknowledge both points.
   • And *either* synthesize them into a new idea OR reframe the debate by identifying the real, underlying question.

Focus on using the C2 toolkit phrases and the confident, controlled prosody we discussed.