Orals 2 pov tips (b)

Using Language to Persuade - Unit 2

Being able to present a sustained and reasoned point of view on an issue is an important skill - in your education and throughout your life as well, as it develops your thinking and communication skills. People are more likely to listen to and respect you and your opinions if it is obvious that you put careful thought into them and can back them up.

In an educational context, this skill demonstrates your capacity to use reason and logic, to support an argument with evidence and to acknowledge your sources of evidence.

In life generally, it helps you to present your viewpoint in a way that other people will find interesting, informative and worth taking seriously. It also leads you to consider other people's opinions with respect, which means you are likely to be respected yourself as a tolerant, thinking member of society.

Presenting your point of view As you study an issue you will find that there are many viewpoints on it, and many ways in which writers and speakers attempt to persuade others that their viewpoint has the most validity. These provide cues and models for presenting your own point of view.

It is inevitable that you will soon find yourself agreeing with some viewpoints more than others - this will help you to locate' your own position within the network of arguments and opinions on the issue. You will also find that some ways of presenting a view are more convincing than others. Look for those with strong reasons and detailed explanations, and which consider opposing viewpoints in a calm and rational manner. These will provide sound models for your own writing or oral presentation. Try to emulate a writer or speaker whose style impresses you, but then 'tweak' it to make it your own. Originality of ideas and style is most impressive in a point-of-view piece - your teachers don't need to see a repeat of what they have already read!

By Year 11 you will have become familiar with many persuasive techniques - use these in your own writing. They give you ways of maximising the persuasive impact, whether in written or spoken form, ensuring that your audience remains interested and convinced throughout.

VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2

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Using Language to Persuade - Unit 2

Developing a point of view Use your initial responses to the various points of view on your selected issue as the starting point for developing your own. Who do you agree with and why? Remember you will need strong reasons to support your view - your personal likes, dislikes or unsubstantiated opinions are not enough. Do the writers or speakers you agree with present convincing reasons and explanations for their viewpoint? Can you think of others?

On the other hand, who do you disagree with and why? Are they simply interested in protecting their own interests? Do they wish to impose their view on others? Can you see flaws in their arguments? These ideas give you ways of dealing with counterarguments to your own position.

Try to look at all viewpoints or perspectives on an issue in a fair and even-handed way. Don't just dismiss someone's viewpoint because it is different from your own - usually they will have some good reasons which you should also take into account. It is important to understand other people's diverse points of view on an issue, because this allows you to show the underlying complexities of an issue and to present a more balanced, informed view.

A sustained and reasoned point of view The requirement to present a sustained and reasoned point of view means that you cannot simply state your opinion, or dismiss opposing viewpoints in a series of attacks. You need a strong central argument to sustain throughout your discussion.

A sustained point of view is one that: •

gives detailed examples and reasons showing why that viewpoint is correct

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presents a strong central argument, and also considers opposing viewpoints or counterarguments

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is at least several hundred words in length -longer than a typical letter to the editor.

A reasoned point of view uses: •

a balanced, moderate tone -that is, it is not overly emotional

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reason and logic in order to explain why something is true or false

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some discussion of underlying causes or logical consequences

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an argument that is explored and developed throughout.

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Think of it as a debate Developing a sustained and reasoned point of view is like being all three members of a debating team rolled into one.

1. The first speaker introduces the topic and the contention, then outlines the way in which this contention will be argued. This includes the consideration of opposing viewpoints on the issue and how they will be rebutted.

VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2

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Using Language to Persuade - Unit 2

2. The second speaker makes the argument come to life, expanding on its supporting points and, most importantly, giving evidence to substantiate these points. This speaker also considers the opposing arguments and rebuts them.

3. The third speaker 'wraps up’ the case, concluding by summarising the main points and the rebuttals of opposing viewpoints, before finally restating the team's contention.

Six key questions Ask yourself these key questions when you are developing and writing your point of view: 1. What's my contention?

2. Who is my audience?

3. What's the form?

4. What tone will I use?

5. Have I considered the counterarguments?

6. Am I adopting a persona Now we consider each of these questions in more detail.

1. WHAT'S MY CONTENTION? Where do I stand on this issue - and why?

The main contention should be phrased as a firm statement and is the foundation of your argument.

Hint: You're much more likely to persuade others to agree with you if you can show that you know what you are writing or speaking about. So keep informed about the issue in the lead-up to your SAC.

Your information must be as current as possible. Three-year-old facts/data/statistics are not the best form of evidence.

Consult a variety of sources to enhance your argument (like newspaper and magazine articles, websites, documentaries, interviews, research data, reports) from which you may quote or cite examples, statistics, etc.

2. WHO IS MY AUDIENCE? Who am I addressing my argument to?

VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2

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Using Language to Persuade - Unit 2

Hint: Think about the following audiences: a group of Year 7 students; new migrants from a war-torn country; prisoners in a high-security wing; and residents in a retirement village. Each of these would respond differently to a given point of view on an issue; they would also be persuaded by diverse modes of delivery.

3. WHAT'S THE FORM? Am I writing a Letter to the editor of a newspaper, an editorial, a commentary, an essay, an open Letter (e.g. to your local member of parliament, or a community group), or a speech?

Hint: It is important to be familiar with the structure of a range of forms so that you can create one under pressure in the SAC.

4. WHAT TONE WILL I USE? What personal feelings will I display about this issue?

Tone is essentially the mood or feeling conveyed by the writing, so it is a very good way to show your readers or listeners what your attitude is to the issue. Which of the following words describe your feelings and the tone you will use?

Hint: Avoid becoming abusive or defamatory. There is often a fine line between criticism (of an idea) and abuse (of a person or people). Get some advice on this through feedback on your drafts or practice runs of an oral presentation.

5. HAVE I CONSIDERED THE COUNTERARGUMENTS? Remember, there is never only one point of view on an issue. Every issue has several perspectives. The stakeholders' interests as well as the moral, political and social philosophies of many groups and individuals are involved. Try to understand where they are all 'coming from'. Aim to be fair and reasonable in your treatment of opposing views, so that you do not present yourself as 'one-eyed' or fanatical.

Hint: You may like to deal with your counterarguments early in your persuasive piece, so that readers or listeners are left with your point of view in their minds at the end. Alternatively, you can address counterarguments towards the end after establishing your own position and argument strongly.

6. AM I ADOPTING A PERSONA? You do not have to write from your own perspective. Even if you do present your own personal view on an issue, you can express it by adopting an imaginary persona and writing or speaking as though you are that person.

VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2

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Using Language to Persuade - Unit 2

For example, there is nothing to prevent a 17-year-old female student taking on the persona of an elderly male refugee from Afghanistan, or an 18-year-old male student adopting the persona of a middle-aged Vietnamese-Australian woman. You can be guided by the issue itself in deciding whether or not assuming a persona is appropriate to the task.

Hint: Avoid adopting a persona that views the issue in a very narrow or extreme way. Regardless of what your view or the imagined view of your persona is, you need to show a balanced and considered approach to the issue, and use logic and reason in presenting your argument.

Oral presentations Considering your point-of-view response for Unit 2, Outcome 3 will be an oral presentation, this gives you the chance to use a number of persuasive techniques that are not possible in a written piece - such as hand gestures, facial expressions and other body language, and the tone, volume and pitch of your voice. You may also be able to use other visual elements such as diagrams and graphs.

However, the main elements of your point-of-view response will remain the same in an oral presentation as in a written piece: it must be sustained and reasoned, use supporting evidence, and acknowledge sources correctly and accurately.

Use the following points as guides to a successful oral presentation.

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Use lively and engaging opening remarks - perhaps an anecdote to highlight a personal connection to the issue or to emphasise its relevance to your audience.

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Use a mix of persuasive techniques - rhetorical questions and inclusive language are two that work well in speeches, but avoid overdoing them.

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Be aware of your audience and involve them if possible, e.g. by asking for a show of hands in response to a question.

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Include some quotations but clearly identify whose words they are and what their point of view is on the issue. You can use the terms 'quote' and 'unquote' at the beginning and ending of the quotation to let your audience know where the quotation begins and ends.

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Present your own point of view rather than adopting a persona - unless you are an accomplished actor you will find it much easier to use body language and tone of voice to present your own point of view on an issue.

Essential elements checklist You can adopt any opinion you choose on the given issue, but there are some things you should always do in your point-of-view response. These ensure that your writing or oral presentation is effective and persuasive, and also that it is sustained and reasoned.

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Using Language to Persuade - Unit 2

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Show that you have a thorough knowledge of the issue and understand me mam arguments around it.

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Develop your argument logically and coherently.

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Substantiate your argument with up-to-date evidence.

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Acknowledge your sources of evidence (quotations, facts, statistics, etc.) and give publication or broadcast details where relevant.

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Consider the counterarguments to your position, state them clearly and indicate why you reject these alternative views.

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Demonstrate your fair-mindedness and the fact that you have thoughtfully researched the issue from several perspectives.

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