Oral Communication
the book of
1.1 Share ideas and Information in group discussions
prepared by: jbsrichard/gsd/pmu/2016
Could you please… …explain further?
A d d s o m e c l a r i t y t o yo u r a n s w e r / st ate m e nt / p re s e nt at i o n ‌ ‌so that people can understand you better.
Definition: • Originated from the word “clear”. • A process of making something “clear” or understandable, comprehensive, simpler to grasp. • Similar to “explanation”.
When you have problems understanding something‌
‌what would you normally do?
Scratch your head endless ly? ‌is it a universal sign of confusion?
React by showing infinite number of facial expressions?
C o n f u s i o n ( m ay ) l e a d t o m i s c o m m u n i c at i o n !
W h at d o yo u t h i n k o f t h e s i t u at i o n ? ‌did misunderstanding occur?
What is being actually meant?
‌guessing from the clue(s) available can avoid misunderstanding.
Could this had happened long time ago ?
How to make yourself understand?
‌ask away!
Fa m i l i a r w i t h t h i s s c e n e ?
Q u e st i o n wo rd s a r e a l w ays u s ef u l … …to use to ask when you don’t understand something.
Polite/ Formal forms
A s k i n g fo r C l a r i f i c a t i o n s Can/ Could/ Would you repeat that please?
I beg your pardon, but I don’t quite follow what you have just said.
Could you clarify on that point?
I’m sorry, but I don’t really understand your last point. Can you explain it further please?
S o m e o f t h e p h ra s e s yo u c a n u s e …
Neutral forms
A s k i n g fo r C l a r i f i c a t i o n s Sorry, I’m afraid I’m not getting what you are trying to say.
Would you mind explaining that again?
I’m not sure if I truly understood you on that second part.
Excuse me, I’m afraid I don’t really get that technical terms.
S o m e o f t h e p h ra s e s yo u c a n u s e …
Less Polite/ Informal forms
A s k i n g fo r C l a r i f i c a t i o n s You lost me there.
What are you trying to say exactly?
Again? I don’t quite catch that.
What was that again?
What do you mean?
S o m e o f t h e p h ra s e s yo u c a n u s e ‌
Offering clarification... ‌how to make others understand what you were talking about.
Making Clarifications Let me put it in a simpler word… What I’m trying to say is…
In other words…
What I mean is…
S o m e o f t h e p h ra s e s yo u c a n u s e …
C h e c k i n g O w n U n d e rst a n d i n g If I understand correctly… So, what you meant was…
So, what you’re really saying is… Does it mean that….
S o m e o f t h e p h ra s e s yo u c a n u s e …
C h e c k i n g O t h e rs ’ U n d e rst a n d i n g Did you get what I was trying to say just now? Do you follow me?
Are you ok so far with my presentation?
Are we clear about that?
S o m e o f t h e p h ra s e s yo u c a n u s e ‌
Avoid communicat io n breakdown ‌speak with clarity, be generous with words!