University:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Course:
15.279 | Management Communication for Undergraduates
Academic year:

2020
Views:

432

Pages:

2
Author:

Azul Rocha

Interactive Presentation: The Role of the Audience You can contribute to a dynamic interactive presentation by asking the speaker to: 1. Tell you more about a particular concept or situation that has been mentioned or discussed in the presentation. 2. Define any terms that seem ambiguous or complicated. 3. Explain a visual aid in more detail. Or you can: 1. Provide an appropriate source of information, example or fact that supports the speaker’s position. 2. Provide an appropriate source of information, example or fact that contradicts the speaker’s position. Essential Gambits for Interactive Presentations • Hesitation Uh Well, um . . . Let’s see. Let me think. How should I put it? That’s a good question. I’ll have to think about that. • Clarification: Others Sorry, but I don’t see what you mean. Could you be more specific? Could you explain in more detail? Do you mean . . .? What do you mean by . . . ? If I understand you correctly, . . . What you’re saying is . . . What you’re trying to say is . . . (careful) Are you sure? (careful) • Clarification: Self What I mean is . . . . What I meant was . . . . What I’m saying is . . . What I’m trying to say is . . . . In other words, . . . . I didn’t mean to say that. • Interruptions Pardon/excuse me, but . . . . Sorry/excuse me for interrupting, but . . . . May I ask a question? 1 May I add something? I’d like to comment on that. I’d like to say something here. Could I just jump in here? What about . . . ? • Refusing Interruptions Please let me finish. Just let me finish my point; I’ll get back to you. I’d like to finish what I was saying. Could I just finish my point? • Resuming after Allowing Interruptions In any case, . . . . One last point, . . . . To return to X, . . . . To get back to X, . . . . Anyway, . . . . • Giving an Opinion I think . . . . I believe . . . . In my opinion, . . . . As far as I’m concerned, . . . . Personally, I think that . . . . It seems to me that . . . . • Asking about Agreement Don’t you agree? Do you agree? Wouldn’t you agree? Don’t you think so? • Agreeing and Disagreeing That’s a good point. I agree with you. That’s true. That makes sense. I think so too. I couldn’t agree more. That’s not how I see it. I don’t really agree with you. I’m afraid I can’t agree. I’m not sure I agree with you. Yes, that may be true, but . . . . Well, you have a point, but . . . . I can see your point, but . . . . I see what you mean, but . . . . 2