Knowt
Spoken Language (OCR)
1. Exam Format and Key Requirements
Prepared Spoken Presentation:
Note: This is the core of the assessment. It's not just about speaking; it's about demonstrating your ability to plan, research, and deliver a structured presentation.
Note: You have time to prepare and practice. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of effective communication.
Topic Choice is Crucial: Select a topic you are genuinely interested in and can research thoroughly. Passion for your topic will come across in your delivery.
Teacher Agreement: Ensure your teacher approves your topic. This is important to confirm it's suitable for the assessment and allows for guidance.
Formal Setting:
Note: This is not a casual chat with friends. Think of it as a mini-conference presentation or a formal speech.
Note: Your language, tone, and delivery should reflect formality. Avoid slang, colloquialisms, and overly casual body language. Dress appropriately (if advised by your school).
Examples of Formal Settings: Imagine presenting to a group of teachers, professionals, or a formal school assembly.
Formal Presentation Types:
Talk/Speech: A straightforward presentation of information and ideas.
Debate: Presenting one side of an argument in a structured debate format.
Dialogue (Less Common for Formal): A structured conversation between two people on a topic (requires careful planning to maintain formality).
Planned and Organised:
Note: Improvisation is not the aim. Assessors are looking for evidence of planning and structure.
Note: A lack of structure will significantly impact your grade. Think of your presentation like a mini-essay – it needs a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Planning Stages:
Brainstorming: Generate ideas related to your topic.
Outlining: Create a logical structure with main points and sub-points.
Scripting (Optional but Recommended): Write out key phrases or bullet points for each section. You don't need to read word-for-word, but having notes is essential.
Use of Notes and Visual Aids (Optional):
Note: While optional, using notes is highly advisable for most students to maintain structure and recall key information. Visual aids can enhance engagement but are not mandatory.
Note:
Notes are Encouraged: Don't try to memorise everything. Notes help you stay on track and appear more professional.
Types of Notes: Bullet points, key phrases, cue cards are all acceptable. Avoid writing out your entire speech word-for-word and reading it aloud.
Visual Aids (Optional): PowerPoint, posters, or props can be used if relevant to your topic and if you can manage them effectively without distracting from your spoken delivery. Keep visual aids simple and focused.
Duration (Ideally no more than 10 minutes):
Note: Time management is important in formal presentations. Practice to ensure you stay within the suggested time.
Note:
Presentation (4-5 minutes): Focus on delivering your prepared content concisely and effectively.
Q&A (4-5 minutes): This is a crucial part of the assessment. Be prepared to answer questions and engage in discussion.
Practice Timing: Rehearse your presentation with a timer to ensure it fits within the suggested timeframe. Adjust content if necessary.
Q&A and Response:
Note: This section assesses your listening and impromptu speaking skills. It's not just about delivering a prepared speech; it's about engaging in a formal spoken exchange.
Note:
Active Listening: Pay close attention to the questions asked. Don't interrupt and ensure you understand the question before answering.
Appropriate Responses: Answers should be relevant, clear, and demonstrate your understanding of the topic.
Formal Tone: Maintain a formal and respectful tone in your responses, just as in your presentation.
Preparation for Q&A: Anticipate potential questions that might be asked about your topic. Think about different angles and be ready to elaborate or clarify points from your presentation.
2. Assessment Objectives (AOs)
AO7: Presentation Skills in a Formal Setting:
Note: This AO focuses on how effectively you deliver your prepared presentation. It's about your performance skills.
Key Aspects Assessed:
Clarity of Communication: Is your speech easy to understand?
Structure and Organisation: Is your presentation logically organised?
Audience Engagement: Do you attempt to engage your audience?
Delivery Techniques: Do you use voice, pace, body language effectively?
Use of Notes/Visual Aids (if applicable): Are these used effectively to enhance the presentation?
AO8: Listening and Responding to Spoken Language:
Note: This AO assesses your ability to interact in a spoken exchange. It's about your ability to listen and respond appropriately in real-time.
Key Aspects Assessed:
Active Listening: Do you demonstrate that you are listening to questions and feedback?
Relevance of Responses: Do your answers directly address the questions asked?
Appropriateness of Responses: Are your responses formal and suitable for the setting?
Detail and Nuance (for higher grades): Do you provide detailed and nuanced responses that show a deeper understanding?
AO9: Spoken Standard English:
Note: This AO focuses on your use of language. It's about using Spoken Standard English effectively in a formal context.
Key Aspects Assessed:
Grammatical Accuracy: Is your grammar generally correct?
Vocabulary Range: Do you use a range of vocabulary appropriate for the topic and formal setting?
Clarity of Pronunciation: Is your speech intelligible and easy to understand?
Appropriateness of Register: Is your language formal and avoids slang or colloquialisms?
Fluency (to some extent): Do you speak relatively smoothly without excessive hesitation?
3. Grading Criteria and Competencies
General Requirements (Pass, Merit, Distinction):
Be Audible:
Note: Simple but essential! If you can't be heard, you can't be assessed.
Note: Project your voice so that everyone in the room can hear you clearly. Practice voice projection. If using a microphone, ensure it's positioned correctly and working.
Use Spoken Standard English (Intelligible and Appropriate):
Notes: Use grammatically correct English that is understandable and suitable for a formal presentation.
Notes:
Spoken Standard English: Avoid strong regional accents if they make your speech difficult to understand for a wider audience (unless instructed otherwise by your teacher). Focus on clear pronunciation and grammar.
Intelligible: Speak clearly and at a pace that allows the audience to follow.
Appropriate: Use language that is fitting for a formal presentation. Avoid slang, jargon, or overly casual language.
Pass Criteria (All must be met):
Express Straightforward Ideas, Information, and Feelings:
Note: Demonstrate basic communication skills.
Note: Your ideas don't need to be complex, but they should be clear and understandable. Focus on conveying simple information and expressing basic opinions or feelings related to your topic.
Attempt to Organise and Structure:
Note: Show some effort to structure your presentation logically.
Note: Even a basic structure (introduction, a few points, conclusion) is sufficient for a Pass. It doesn't need to be sophisticated, but it should be evident that you have tried to organise your thoughts.
Attempt to Meet Audience Needs:
Note: Show awareness that you are speaking to an audience.
Note: Make some effort to engage the audience, perhaps through direct address ("As you can see...") or by explaining things clearly. Consider what the audience might need to understand your topic.
Listen and Provide Straightforward, Appropriate Response:
Note: Listen to questions and give simple, relevant answers.
Note: Your responses should be directly related to the questions asked and be understandable. They don't need to be detailed or insightful, but they should be sensible and demonstrate you've listened.
Merit Criteria (All Pass criteria + these):
Express Challenging Ideas, Information, and Feelings using a Range of Vocabulary:
Note: Move beyond simple ideas and demonstrate a more developed use of language.
Note: Explore more complex aspects of your topic. Use a wider range of vocabulary to express yourself more precisely and effectively. Show you can discuss ideas with some depth.
Organise and Structure Clearly and Appropriately to Meet Audience Needs:
Note: Structure is now more important and tailored to the audience.
Note: Your presentation should be well-organised with clear sections and transitions. Structure your speech in a way that makes it easy for the audience to follow and understand your message. Consider what structure will be most effective for your specific topic and audience.
Achieve the Purpose of the Presentation:
Note: Your presentation should have a clear purpose and achieve it.
Note: What are you trying to achieve with your presentation? To inform? To persuade? To argue? Ensure your content and delivery work towards this purpose.
Listen and Respond Formally and in Some Detail:
Note: Responses should be more formal and detailed than for a Pass.
Note: Your responses should be more than just simple answers. Elaborate on your points, provide more explanation, and use formal language in your replies. Show you can engage with the questions in a more substantial way.
Distinction Criteria (All Merit criteria + these):
Express Sophisticated Ideas, Information, and Feelings using Sophisticated Vocabulary:
Note: Demonstrate a high level of linguistic skill and intellectual depth.
Note: Discuss complex and nuanced ideas. Use a sophisticated and precise vocabulary to express yourself with clarity and impact. Show a command of language and topic.
Organise and Structure Effectively to Engage Audience (Range of Strategies):
Note: Structure is not just clear, but actively engages the audience using various techniques.
Note: Use a range of presentation strategies to keep the audience interested and involved. This could include rhetorical questions, varied pacing, dramatic pauses, effective use of visual aids (if used), and a dynamic delivery style. Think about how to make your presentation memorable and impactful.
Achieve the Purpose of the Presentation: (Same as Merit, but at a higher level of effectiveness).
Listen and Respond Formally and in Detail, Showing Nuanced Understanding:
Note: Responses are detailed, formal, and demonstrate a deep, nuanced understanding of the topic.
Note: Your responses should be in-depth, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the topic and the questions. Show you can think critically and respond thoughtfully, addressing the nuances and complexities of the questions. Go beyond simple answers and show a real command of your subject matter.
4. Structuring Your Speech
Introduction:
Strong Opening:
Note: Hook the audience immediately. First impressions are vital.
Note:
Startling Fact/Statistic: Grab attention with something unexpected and relevant to your topic. (e.g., "Did you know that...")
Compelling Quote: Use a relevant and impactful quote from a respected figure.
Thought-Provoking Question: Pose a question that makes the audience think and relates to your topic.
Brief Anecdote/Story: Start with a short, engaging story that illustrates your topic's relevance.
Avoid clichés: "Good morning/afternoon everyone, my name is..." is a very weak opening. Aim for something more impactful.
Topic Introduction:
Note: Clearly state what you will be talking about and why it matters.
Note:
State your topic directly: "Today, I'm going to talk about..."
Explain relevance: Why should the audience care about this topic? Connect it to their lives, society, or current events.
Outline main points (optional but helpful): Briefly mention the key areas you will cover in your presentation to give the audience a roadmap.
Main Body:
Logical Points:
Note: Organise your information into clear, distinct points that support your central theme.
Note:
Number of Points: Aim for 3-5 main points for a short presentation.
Clarity: Each point should be distinct and easy to understand. Use clear topic sentences for each point.
Logical Flow: Arrange points in a logical order.
Logical Arrangements:
Chronological: Good for historical topics or processes.
Problem-Solution: Effective for persuasive speeches addressing issues.
Cause-Effect: Useful for explaining relationships between events.
Importance/Priority: Arrange points from least to most important, or vice versa.
Evidence and Examples:
Note: Support your points with credible evidence to make your presentation convincing and informative.
Note:
Types of Evidence:
Statistics: Numbers and data to support claims (cite sources if possible).
Examples: Specific instances that illustrate your points.
Anecdotes: Short, personal stories (if relevant and appropriate for formality).
Quotes from Credible Sources: Expert opinions or research findings.
Credibility: Ensure your evidence is from reliable sources.
Balance: Don't overload with evidence, but ensure each point is adequately supported.
Smooth Transitions:
Note: Connect your points smoothly to maintain audience engagement and logical flow.
Note:
Transition Words/Phrases: Use words like "furthermore," "in addition," "however," "on the other hand," "therefore," "in conclusion," etc., to signal shifts between points.
Summarising Transitions: Briefly summarise the previous point before moving to the next. (e.g., "Now that we've looked at X, let's consider Y...")
Signposting: Clearly indicate when you are moving to a new section of your presentation.
Conclusion:
Summarise Key Points:
Note: Reinforce your main message by briefly recapping your key arguments.
Note:
Concise Summary: Quickly revisit your main points – don't introduce new information here.
Restate Thesis (Optional): If you have a central argument, briefly restate it in your conclusion.
Call to Action/Lasting Impression:
Note: End with a strong statement that leaves the audience thinking or motivates them in some way.
Note:
Call to Action (if appropriate): Encourage the audience to do something (e.g., "Let's all consider...", "We need to take action...").
Thought-Provoking Statement: End with a statement that makes the audience reflect on your topic.
Return to Opening Hook: Refer back to your opening hook (question, story, etc.) to create a sense of closure and impact.
Memorable Closing Line: Craft a final sentence that is impactful and leaves a lasting impression.
Avoid Weak Endings: Don't just trail off or say "That's it." End with purpose and confidence.
5. Tips for Preparation
Choose an Appropriate Topic:
Discuss with Teacher: Crucial for guidance and topic approval.
Current Events/Social Issues: Often engaging and relevant (e.g., ethical dilemmas, social justice, technological advancements).
Ethical Dilemmas: Topics that explore moral questions and different viewpoints.
Cultural Topics: Exploring aspects of culture, identity, or societal norms.
Future Predictions: Speculating about future trends or developments (e.g., future of technology, work, environment).
Avoid Overly Simple: Hobbies, personal interests (unless linked to a broader issue), or very basic summaries of texts might not demonstrate sufficient depth for higher grades.
Examples of Strong Topics (Reiterated): Climate change, social media's impact, AI ethics, future of work, environmental policies, racism, conspiracy theories, beauty standards, footballer wages, social media's effects.
Plan and Structure:
Note:
Detailed Outline: Essential for a structured speech.
Outline Components:
Introduction (Hook, Topic, Overview)
Main Point 1 (Topic Sentence, Evidence, Explanation)
Main Point 2 (Topic Sentence, Evidence, Explanation)
Main Point 3 (Topic Sentence, Evidence, Explanation)
Conclusion (Summary, Lasting Impression)
Logical Flow: Ensure points connect logically and build on each other.
Develop Content:
Thorough Research: Use reliable sources (books, reputable websites, articles, documentaries).
Gather Evidence: Statistics, examples, quotes, anecdotes.
Note-Taking: Organise your research notes clearly, linking evidence to specific points in your outline.
Source Citation (Optional for speech notes, but good practice): Even if not formally cited in the speech, know where your information comes from for credibility.
Practice Rhetorical Devices:
Rhetorical Devices Enhance Impact: Make your speech more engaging, persuasive, and memorable.
Examples:
Anaphora: Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses (e.g., "We will fight... We will struggle... We will overcome...").
Irony: Using words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning (for subtle persuasion or humour).
Metaphors/Similes: Figurative language to create vivid images and comparisons (e.g., "Social media is a double-edged sword").
Rhetorical Questions: Questions asked for effect, not requiring an answer (e.g., "Isn't it time we considered...?").
Tripling/Rule of Three: Presenting ideas in groups of three for impact and memorability (e.g., "faster, stronger, better").
Use Sparingly and Appropriately: Don't overuse rhetorical devices; use them strategically for impact.
Public Speaking Techniques:
Effective Delivery is Key: How you speak is as important as what you say.
Voice Projection: Speak loudly enough to be heard clearly by everyone.
Pace: Vary your pace – slow down for emphasis, speed up slightly for less important sections. Avoid speaking too quickly or too slowly throughout.
Intonation: Vary your pitch to make your speech more engaging and expressive. Avoid a monotone voice.
Body Language:
Eye Contact: Make eye contact with different members of the audience.
Gestures: Use natural hand gestures to emphasise points and engage the audience. Avoid fidgeting or distracting movements.
Posture: Stand tall and confidently.
Pauses: Use pauses effectively for emphasis, to allow the audience to process information, and to create dramatic effect.
Rehearse and Seek Feedback:
Rehearse Regularly: Practice your speech multiple times.
Practice Aloud: Don't just read silently. Practice speaking out loud to get comfortable with the words and flow.
Time Yourself: Ensure you stay within the time limit.
Record Yourself (Optional): Video or audio recording can help you identify areas for improvement in your delivery (pace, filler words, body language).
Seek Feedback: Present to friends, family, or teachers and ask for constructive criticism on content, structure, and delivery. Act on the feedback you receive.
Engage with Talks (Examples):
Learn from Experts: Watching effective speakers is a great way to learn.
Analyse Effective Talks: Don't just watch passively. Think about:
Opening Hooks: How do they grab attention?
Structure: How is the speech organised?
Delivery Techniques: How do they use voice, body language, and visual aids?
Rhetorical Devices: What techniques do they use to persuade or engage?
Examples of Talks (General): TED Talks are a good resource for diverse and engaging presentations. Look for talks on topics similar to what you are considering.
Example:
The Double-Edged Sword: Is Social Media Harming Teen Mental Health?
Speech Outline:
Introduction
Hook: Startling Statistic/Question: "Consider this: teenagers today spend an average of 7 hours a day online. But at what cost to their mental wellbeing?"
Topic Introduction: Clearly state topic: "Today, I want to explore the complex relationship between social media and the mental health of teenagers."
Relevance: Explain why it matters: "This isn't just about screen time; it's about the very fabric of how young people connect, perceive themselves, and navigate the world."
Outline: Briefly mention main points: "I will argue that while social media offers connection and community, its inherent design and pressures can significantly contribute to anxiety, depression, and body image issues in teenagers."
Main Body - Point 1: The Pressure of the 'Perfect' Online Persona
Topic Sentence: "One of the most significant dangers of social media lies in the curated, often unrealistic, portrayals of life that dominate platforms."
Explanation: Explain how social media encourages users to present an idealised version of themselves, filtering out flaws and highlighting successes.
Evidence/Example: Mention studies or statistics about increased rates of social comparison and envy linked to social media use. Anecdote (brief, hypothetical): "Think of the endless scroll of 'perfect' holiday photos, flawless selfies, and highlight reels. It's easy to feel like your own life pales in comparison, even when that online 'perfection' is far from reality."
Rhetorical Device: Rhetorical Question: "Is it any wonder that teenagers, already navigating the complexities of identity, feel inadequate when constantly bombarded with these unrealistic ideals?"
Main Body - Point 2: Cyberbullying and Online Harassment
Topic Sentence: "Beyond the pressure to be perfect, social media can also be a breeding ground for cyberbullying and online harassment, with devastating consequences for mental health."
Explanation: Discuss the anonymity, reach, and persistence of online bullying compared to traditional bullying.
Evidence/Example: Mention statistics about cyberbullying prevalence and its link to anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in teens. Example (brief, generalised): "Imagine receiving constant negative comments on your appearance, your opinions, your very being, amplified across social networks where everyone can see it. The impact on self-esteem and mental wellbeing is profound."
Rhetorical Device: Irony: "Social media was initially envisioned as a tool for connection and community. Yet, ironically, it can often become a weapon, used to isolate and inflict harm."
Main Body - Point 3: The Addiction and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
Topic Sentence: "Furthermore, the very design of social media platforms encourages addictive behaviours and fosters a pervasive 'fear of missing out,' or FOMO, further impacting mental wellbeing."
Explanation: Explain how notifications, endless scrolling, and algorithms are designed to keep users engaged and coming back for more. Discuss how FOMO contributes to anxiety and feelings of inadequacy.
Evidence/Example: Mention research on the addictive nature of social media and its impact on sleep, attention spans, and anxiety levels. Personal example (relatable): "We've all felt that urge to constantly check our phones, worried we're missing out on something important online. This constant connectivity can be exhausting and anxiety-inducing, especially for developing minds."
Rhetorical Device: Metaphor: "Social media platforms are often described as 'addictive' for a reason. They are designed as digital slot machines, rewarding us with intermittent bursts of validation and connection, keeping us hooked in a cycle of seeking more."
Conclusion
Summarise Key Points: "In conclusion, while social media undoubtedly offers benefits in terms of connection and information access, we must acknowledge its significant downsides for teen mental health. The pressure for perfection, the prevalence of cyberbullying, and the addictive nature of these platforms create a perfect storm of risk factors."
Call to Action/Lasting Impression: "It's not about abandoning social media entirely, but about fostering a more mindful and balanced approach. We need to educate young people about the realities behind the online facade, promote critical thinking about online content, and encourage healthy digital habits. Only then can we harness the benefits of social media without sacrificing the mental wellbeing of the next generation."
Strong Closing Statement: "Let's work towards a future where online spaces are supportive and empowering, not detrimental to the mental health of our young people."
